Strategic Plan

The Fraser Region Aboriginal ECD Network
Strategic Plan 2008
DRAFT
 Prepared by Marcia Dawson

BACKGROUND

Established in early 2003, the Fraser Region Aboriginal ECD (FRAECD) Network has evolved since its inception where it began as a support network for early childhood development service providers, practitioners and professionals.

Now in its 6th year, the FRAECD Network has gained strength and recognition for its leadership in collaborative planning, training, professional development, advocacy and support in Aboriginal early childhood development for both its network members and the communities they serve.

The network is comprised of diverse representatives from agencies, programs and services whose mandates include children and families in the Fraser Region (Refers to the region for Ministry of Children and Family Development, and the Fraser Region Health Authority), which include but not limited to early childhood development programs, education, Aboriginal Head Start, Aboriginal Infant Development programs, Supported Child Development programs, and Aboriginal Child and Family Service agencies.

As part of their ongoing commitment to Aboriginal children and families within their communities, the FRAECD network reviews and renews its strategic plan regularly to ensure that the network continues to evolve and to reflect emerging needs and priorities of children, families and communities.

FRAECD network has worked to sustain and strengthen its capacity to respond to the needs of its members and communities. The network has established a regional coordinator position, a host agency, a chair, an executive committee and subcommittees designed to share responsibilities for communication and implementation of its plans, projects and activities.

VISION AND MISSION

The network’s vision is that Aboriginal children and families, regardless of where they live across the Fraser Region, embrace and practice their culture; that they have access to a full range of culturally appropriate early childhood development services that will in turn foster and enhance their ability to reach their maximum potential.

The network is an association of Aboriginal early childhood development service providers from across the Fraser Region that works to achieve its vision through shared knowledge, experiences, and open communication amongst participating agencies and partners. The network will promote greater understanding of Aboriginal histories, cultures and teachings as well as advocate for and support programs/policies to reflect Aboriginal perspectives of early childhood development.

STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

Goal 1: Strengthen the capacity of the network members and community to provide culturally appropriate early childhood development services.

Objectives:

  • Create culturally appropriate resources and materials that can be made available for use by network members and communities.
  • Provide cultural awareness training, sessions, and cultural sharing activities within the context of Aboriginal ECD.
  • Provide opportunities to promote, learn and develop best practices in culturally appropriate ECD services.

 


 

Goal 2: Sustain the network and its activities.

 

Objectives

  • Identify and develop an Aboriginal ECD framework for the network.
  • Develop and implement a sustainability plan for network coordinator and executive committee.
  • Ensure ongoing engagement and retention of committee members at meetings


Goal 3: Represent, communicate and advocate for the network’s priorities that reflect Aboriginal community and Aboriginal world views.

Objectives

  • Support and promote equitable, accessible and quality ECD services.
  • Inform and influence ECD policy, programs and funding decisions.

 

Edited August 2009