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By Chris Brown

Child development

Local early childhood coalition ceasing operations

Jul 6, 2020 | 4:42 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After more than 10 years of working to improve the developmental outcomes of the youngest among us, the Medicine Hat Early Childhood Coalition announced last week it is ceasing operations.

Chairperson Jennifer Usher said a combination of funding cuts, staff losses and the Family Resource Network hub and spokes model opening soon made this the appropriate time for the decision.

Usher is hopeful local families won’t experience too many gaps in programming as the Family Resource Network, run through Bridges Family Programs, will take over some of the coalition’s work.

“For example host some networking meetings. That was such a valuable part of the coalition was really having the agencies that serve children and families coming together regularly to talk about what they’re up to and any gaps that we see in service so that will continue,” she said. “The part that I do see a bit of a gap going to happen is some of the free play sessions that we were able to offer. From what I understand the Family Resource Network doesn’t have any funding for things like free play sessions stuff that we did and also the ParentLink Centre did.”

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Usher said the popular Roving Gym programs at the YMCA and Family Leisure Centre will continue in October and pointed to other organizations that offer early childhood development programs.

“We have a couple other really great organizations out there like Saamis Immigration, LEARN which does some family literacy stuff so there will be things out there and I definitely think prudent to check out the Bridges Facebook page and the website for more information.”

A Facebook post from the Medicine Hat Early Childhood Coalition also points people to the Medicine Hat and District Child Care Association, of which Usher is the coordinator, and the Medicine Hat Public Library as sources for activities and information for families.