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Roger Belgrave

Brampton Guardian
Date Published: Friday, January 29, 2010
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An initiative started to improve services for children and youth is asking local school boards for financial support.

Representatives with the Peel Children and Youth Initiative (PCYI) were at both the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School Board Jan. 26.

Local trustees were updated on the budding organization's development and ongoing plans. Organizers also asked the school boards to contribute a combined $115,000. The money represents about one-third of operating costs.

PCYI is being organized and envisioned as an amalgamation of private, public, volunteer, coalition and collaborative Peel groups all working together for the well-being of children and youth in the region from birth to age 24.

Creators of the initiative want to integrate regional services for children and youth. The goal is to improve overall effectiveness and efficiency of the system, while allowing children and youth to have a voice.

Organizers want to reduce duplication, identify service gaps, advocate for new services and assist with implementing new services. There are almost 100 agencies and programs in Peel providing services to children and youth.

A steering group is currently directing development of PCYI. Paul Zarnke and Judith Nyman, co-chairs of the initiative, told Peel board trustees Tuesday night the steering group is working to hire an executive director in March or April and transfer decision-making over to a board of directors soon afterwards.

A board would be assembled from a cross-section of community and agency representatives, they said. A strategic plan is anticipated by December.

Last fall, organizers asked the Region of Peel for $110,000 in funding this year to help with start up costs. An additional $193,000 was being sought from others, including Trillium, the provincial government and United Way of Peel.

Peel Board Chair Janet McDougald has committed to meeting with officials from the Catholic school board and region to discuss support.

"This is so important I am sure that together we can find some solutions," McDougald said.

McDougald noted, however, providing the kind of money the organization is requesting would be a real hardship for underfunded school boards already struggling to meet financial priorities in classrooms and other operational areas. McDougald wants to offer support, but would prefer to find alternatives and options to a cash injection.

"The school boards just don't have any excess money to do that kind of thing," she said.