This release was issued under a previous government.
Parent Link Centres
Alberta is creating four new Parent Link Centres (PLC), as well as two new satellite sites in Edmonton northeast and southwest, north Calgary, High Prairie, Grande Cache and Fox Creek. The centres, will deliver parenting programs, be home to community resources and information, and provide advice on positive parenting and family issues. The locations of the new centres were determined through the Early Development Instrument results.
“Parent Link Centres are community hubs that make important connections for parents with local community resources to deal with children’s development and behavioural concerns, to help strengthen parenting skills or to meet and talk with other parents. All parents want to ensure their young children get the best start to their lives and we are putting resources where the greatest needs were identified.”
"Early childhood development is the best investment we make in health. The dividends it pays are lifelong with better physical and mental health, less disease and more happy and connected citizens."
Family Home Visits
Alberta is giving home visitation practitioners more training to help them better screen for family violence and help families build healthy homes. The Home Visitation program is a voluntary program for at-risk families who have children age six or younger.
Through the home visitations, practitioners can detect the root causes affecting the safety and well-being of children - such as family violence, sexual abuse, poverty and mental health concerns, meaning preventative supports can be put in place before a crisis occurs.
“The Alberta government’s commitment to invest in training and skill development with home visitation practitioners will result in better services, which will translate into improved outcomes for many families and communities in Alberta.”
Alberta is also expanding access to other important services by:
- increasing early screening of children with emotional and/or social difficulties at early childhood development programs, Parent Link Centres and other points of access; and,
- helping parents access programs through mental health/ behavioural specialists at PLCs.
The government is investing a total of $3.25 million in the new Parent Link Centres and improved home visitation training.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
Related information
Together We Raise Tomorrow An Alberta Approach to Early Childhood Development
Multimedia
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