When Putting Children First got involved with the annual children’s health fair 14 years ago, they could expect between 120 and 150 families.
Now, they plan for more than twice that number to show up.
Julia Black, the coordinator for the Sea to Sky Putting Children First initiative, says they put together approximately 350 information bags to hand out to families coming through the door at Brennan Park on Saturday, and they expected to give most away. Last year, their count showed that 544 children and parents came by the event.
“We think about health holistically,” Black said. “It’s an opportunity to learn what’s available in the community.”
The one-day event, put on in conjunction with Brennan Park, was spread through the gymnasium, the lobby and two activity rooms, as families could check out a range of tables, such as children’s health professionals, family service agencies, preschools, vendors and daycares.
“There’s always a theme every year. This year we’re doing ‘Unplug and Connect,’” Black said.
Sea to Sky Community Services, for example, had a booth to inform parents of what kinds of services they have for children during the early years.
“We provide services for children from birth to six years of age,” said Jacqui Moffatt, an occupational therapist with Sea to Sky Community Services.
These include occupational and physical therapy, infant development and supported child development programs, which is aimed at children needing more support in child-care settings. Moffatt says child-care providers are especially important in helping to identify children who need assistance during the early years of development. She adds that parents can self-refer; they do not need a physician’s referral.
“We just want to make sure they connect with us,” she said.
There were also lots of activities for children at Brennan Park, such as demonstrations from Music Together, play areas, face-painting and balloon animals.
There was also an information table at the front door of the recreational centre about the proposed Squamish Children’s Charter.
Julie Van Eesteren, early years coordinator for Sea to Sky Community Services, was busy talking not only with parents but listening to children about what their priorities are when it comes to children’s rights.
“We want it come from kids in the“We want it to come from kids in the community,” she said. “There’s so many young kids in Squamish that it’s really important.”
Other communities, including several in the Lower Mainland, have been putting together their own charters that stress the provisions of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The idea is to have a lens or way of looking at development and other issues in a community through which children’s concerns and interests are addressed, especially when it comes to documents like the official community plan.
“We’re hoping the Children’s Charter becomes part of the OCP,” Van Eesteren said.
Starting this weekend, Child Care Resource and Referral is also working with community services to organize a self-guided tour of sites in the area that offer child care. The dates will be Saturday, June 4 for north Squamish and June 11 for south Squamish, from 10 a.m. to noon each day.
“We also recognize child care is a bit of a crisis in Squamish,” Black said.
