A caring culture focused on children and families is recognized as a fundamental ingredient for young children’s harmonious development
According to a recent Conseil supérieur de l’éducation publication, not all young Quebecers enjoy the same chances for success. Québec’s school system is believed to be responsible for creating most of the inequality among students
The dropout rate in Québec costs the Québec government $1.9 billion every year
Mobilization focused on education is a protective factor for future educational achievement
The synergy between parents and the different actors in the community is also recognized as a protective factor for educational achievement. The more closely parents and community organizations work together, the better children’s chances to develop their full potential
Child-family-childcare practitioner collaboration
What is it?
Refers to the ability of organizations and intervention practitioners to:
Transcend their role as experts and assume a role as partners of parents;
Allow children and parents to assume an active role in matters that concern them;
Shape interventions in accordance with the family environment.
What can we do?
Organize activities that help build a cordial relationship between intervention practitioners and children
Provide guidance to parents in relation to their child’s integration into the school system
Use a communication tool to establish a link between daycare services and the school
Intervention practitioners’ beliefs
What is it?
Refers to the perceptions that organizations and intervention practitioners have of themselves, their environment and the children and parents with whom they work
These perceptions are founded on a combination of knowledge, experiences, beliefs and opinions
These perceptions have an impact on work procedures, interactions, and even on materials used
What can we do?
Elaborate new or streamline existing policies at the local or regional level
Develop procedures to enable the participation of children and parents in the elaboration of programs, activities and projects intended for them
Community involvement (alliances/partnerships)
What is it?
Refers to the process of working in collaboration with and for others
Generally targets a set geographic territory and focuses on specific interests
Aims to advance the well-being of individuals and the community
Is a powerful vehicle for bringing about changes to policies, programs and practices
Can mobilize and transform resources so that they can better serve the needs of the population
What can we do?
Solicit the active participation of key players in the community (hairdresser, grocer, pharmacist, etc.)
Set up a pool of resource persons
Instigate public education and awareness campaigns
Set up and participate in a round table
Establish intersectoral communities of practice based on a common field of interest
Elaborate inter-organization service agreements
Carry out an intersectoral strategic planning exercise
Appoint a coordinator to assist with mobilization efforts