Child care advocates in Minnesota are hoping new legislation will offset the high costs of child care.
Child-care costs in Minnesota are third highest in the country.
James Carlson, director of public policy for Child Care Works, says finding affordable and quality care is difficult in Minnesota, but a bill to direct eight-million in federal stimulus dollars to families needing assistance will help.
"Thirty-eight percent of child care centers charge at or below what the state can reimburse a family for their care," says Carlson. "In addition, 45 to 48 percent of family care providers are collecting money at or below what the state can reimburse."
Carlson says by helping these families pay for child care, low-wage workers can remain in the work force.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
More MNR Help to B.C.
A third contingent of Ministry of Natural Resources personnel is head to British Columbia to aid in that province's forest fire fighting efforts.
Two Incident Command Teams – one each from East Fire and West Fire Region – comprised of 19 members each are scheduled to head to the west coast today.
The teams provides leadership and management on large fire incidents.
This latest deployment brings to 333 the number of MNR personnel in B.C.
Two Incident Command Teams – one each from East Fire and West Fire Region – comprised of 19 members each are scheduled to head to the west coast today.
The teams provides leadership and management on large fire incidents.
This latest deployment brings to 333 the number of MNR personnel in B.C.
"The Gathering" Comes to End
An effort to improve opportunities for native employment in the Rainy River district has come to an end.
NCDS, who facilitated the project called "The Gathering," has decided to discontinue its management of the roundtables.
In a letter to participants, the agency cites the project has "run afoul with politics."
Coordinator Paul Pirie says the roundtables did achieve some success with rejuvenated high school programs, increased community involvement by elders and a relaxing of territorial boundaries for construction apprentices.
NCDS, who facilitated the project called "The Gathering," has decided to discontinue its management of the roundtables.
In a letter to participants, the agency cites the project has "run afoul with politics."
Coordinator Paul Pirie says the roundtables did achieve some success with rejuvenated high school programs, increased community involvement by elders and a relaxing of territorial boundaries for construction apprentices.
Planning Documents Get Review
Alberton's township council will hold a special meeting tonight to review its official plan and zoning by-laws.
The review comes in the wake of opposition to a rezoning application which would pave the way for Weechi-it-ti-win Family Services to relocate its Training and Learning Centre to property currently owned by the Arpin Family.
Council said at its meeting last month that it would revisit the application following a review of its planning documents.
The review comes in the wake of opposition to a rezoning application which would pave the way for Weechi-it-ti-win Family Services to relocate its Training and Learning Centre to property currently owned by the Arpin Family.
Council said at its meeting last month that it would revisit the application following a review of its planning documents.
Doctors Seek Halt to Health Changes
Ontario doctors want the province to delay any major health care restructuring plans until a recently appointed panel makes its recommendations.
The government created the Rural and Northern Health Care Panel to recommend steps to improve access to care in those regions.
The Ontario Medical Association says the government should order Local Health Integration Networks and hospitals in rural and northern communities to put a hold on restructuring plans.
OMA President Dr. Suzanne Strasberg says doctors want a formal consultation process to ensure that the public and health care providers have their say before any decisions are made.
Strasberg says physicians can provide valuable input to help ensure decisions are made without compromising quality and timely access to health care services.
The OMA also wants the government's strategy to formally recognize the differing health care needs in isolated and rural communities.
The government created the Rural and Northern Health Care Panel to recommend steps to improve access to care in those regions.
The Ontario Medical Association says the government should order Local Health Integration Networks and hospitals in rural and northern communities to put a hold on restructuring plans.
OMA President Dr. Suzanne Strasberg says doctors want a formal consultation process to ensure that the public and health care providers have their say before any decisions are made.
Strasberg says physicians can provide valuable input to help ensure decisions are made without compromising quality and timely access to health care services.
The OMA also wants the government's strategy to formally recognize the differing health care needs in isolated and rural communities.
Rural Health Panel Formed
Ontario has officially announced the members of the new Rural and Northern Health Care Panel.
The panel, to be chaired by Kirkland and District Hospital CEO, Hal Fjeldsted, will provide recommendations to the government on how to better coordinate the delivery of health care services in Ontario's rural and northern areas.
The panel's members represent a broad range of stakeholders and health care professionals who will draw on their experiences working in rural and northern areas of Ontario.
Over the next six months will highlight current programs and services targeting northern and rural communities, identify rural and northern Ontario's unique health care challenges and recommend steps the government can take to improve access to health care in rural and northern Ontario using existing resources.
The panel will provide a report and recommendations to the government this winter.
The panel, to be chaired by Kirkland and District Hospital CEO, Hal Fjeldsted, will provide recommendations to the government on how to better coordinate the delivery of health care services in Ontario's rural and northern areas.
The panel's members represent a broad range of stakeholders and health care professionals who will draw on their experiences working in rural and northern areas of Ontario.
Over the next six months will highlight current programs and services targeting northern and rural communities, identify rural and northern Ontario's unique health care challenges and recommend steps the government can take to improve access to health care in rural and northern Ontario using existing resources.
The panel will provide a report and recommendations to the government this winter.
Municipal Support for Y.A.A.
Municipal support continues to grow for the Northwestern Health Unit's Youth Action Alliance.
The town of Fort Frances is the latest to pass a resolution calling for continued provincial funding for the youth-focused anti-smoking lobby group.
Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake councils have also passed resolutions in support of the Alliance.
Health Unit board chair John Albanese says that municipal support is important.
"The resolutions are going to the Premier, the Health Promotions Minister and whoever we can tap into," says Albanese.
Albanese says the Alliance has been very effective with its anti-smoking initiatives, and should be allowed to continue.
The town of Fort Frances is the latest to pass a resolution calling for continued provincial funding for the youth-focused anti-smoking lobby group.
Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake councils have also passed resolutions in support of the Alliance.
Health Unit board chair John Albanese says that municipal support is important.
"The resolutions are going to the Premier, the Health Promotions Minister and whoever we can tap into," says Albanese.
Albanese says the Alliance has been very effective with its anti-smoking initiatives, and should be allowed to continue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
