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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-05-12, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1999. PAGE 7. Literacy network introduces new initiative The QUILL Literacy Network will mark its fifth year of operation with two exciting new initiatives. The network will recognize the achievements of two individ­ uals in the literacy field and also launch its new web site at its May 13 annual general meeting in Walkerton. Glen Wright of Southampton will be recog­ nized with the Outstanding Learner Award. He has been working with the SCROLL program at Saugeen First Nations and has been involved in many local and regional activities on behalf of adult learners in this region.Slater of St. Marys will Volunteer Achievement Award. She is a long-stand­ ing and dedicated volunteer tutor with the St. Marys Adult Learning Program. She has also been active participant with the Huron Perth Literacy Committee and QUILL Network in the past. The network also heads in the information highway with the launch of its new web site. The Ontario Ministry of Education and Training pro­ vided special funding to the network this past year to develop this site. Under the project management of Myke Dyer, a productive and inter­ active site has been designed. The site will not only help basic training agencies work better together, it will also allow the public to get fast information on-line. The web site has informa­ tion about literacy and upgrading programs in the region as well as information and services provided by QUILL. The meeting will also be highlighted by a presentation on Brain Gym, an innovative way to improve learning power through movement.This trend-setting process is catching the atten­ tion of trainers, educators, and parents from across the country. QUILL will also be elect­ ing its slate of directors for 1999-2000. The board con­ sists of representa-tives from across the region who deliver literacy programs and have an interest in literacy. QUILL is one of 16 regional networks in the province funded by the Ministry of Education and Training to support literacy training and community plan­ ning. While based in Walkerton, the network provides infor­ mation and referral services, through its toll-free hotline, about programs in Grey, Bruce, Huron, Perth and the Georgian Triangle. Last year, it handled over 100 calls from people wanting to access lit­ eracy programs in the region, either as a learner, volunteer or social agency. It provided general information and sup­ port to over 800 callers. SmallTALK receives additional funding SmallTALK, a Huron- Perth Preschool Speech/Lan- guage Initiative, will receive more money this year to improve speech and language services for preschool chil­ dren. The addition of almost $18,000 brings the total allo­ cations to $117,976, and comes as a result of a recent Ministry of Health announce­ ment for a $2.2 million expansion to the province’s speech and language pro­ gram. The program focuses on prevention, finding children with problems early and mak­ ing sure they get treatment quickly. "We will be looking at how the additional funding can be used to bring about the changes necessary to improve local speech and langu-age services," said Sharon Davie, chairperson of the committee, which provides strategic direction to the planning and implementation of the initia­ tive. Mary Louise LaBerge, speech language pathologist with the initiative adds, "This announce-ment comes on the dawn of May's Better Speech and Hearing Month and is an extremely worthwhile invest­ ment in our children. "Speech and language problems are the most com­ mon handicap facing our children,: said LaBerge. "One in 10 preschool chil­ dren have speech and lan­ guage problems, and fewer than 50 percent of preschool children with speech and lan­ guage problems in Huron and Perth counties have been identified and are receiving treatment." She explains that, left untreated, these children are at high risk of lifelong prob­ lems, including poor achieve- ment in school and increased drop-out rates which are cost­ ly to society. A preschool speech and language phone line has been set up which parents from both counties can call to ask questions about how their child talks, or to obtain infor­ mation about speech and lan­ FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US AT 1-888-ONT-VOTE (668-8683) OR TTY 1-888-292-2312 VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.electionsontario.on.ca guage services. The line also allows parents and those who provide services to children such as doctors, early child­ hood educators and counsel- lors to refer a child to a Speech Language Pathologist for assessment. Call 273-2222 or l-800-269-3683 and ask for smallTALK. ONTARIO PROVINCIAL ELECTION It’s Different This Time! WE RE USING A NEW WAY TO PREPARE THE VOTERS LIST FOR THIS ELECTION. It’s called the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario and it means that most Ontario residents won’t have enumerators knocking at their door this time. * REVISING AGENTS MAY CALL DOOR-TO-DOOR NOTICE OF REGISTRATION CARDS WILL BE MAILED IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE OF REGISTRATION CARD Install Smoke Alarms IT’S THE LAW. In some areas where there has recently been a significant change in population, it may be necessary to complete a limited door-to-door canvass to identify eligible voters. In these cases, revising agents from Elections Ontario, working in teams of two, will be calling on residences to confirm voter eligibility. If the revising agents come to your door, please make them welcome. The names of most qualified voters in Ontario will already be included on the Voters List for this election as a result of information contained in the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario. Those voters will receive a Notice of Registration card by mail. This card will confirm that they are on the Voters List, and it will provide their electoral district and the location of the poll where they will vote on election day. If you are qualified to vote and have NOT received your notification card within TWO WEEKS, contact your local returning office for information on how to protect your right to vote on election day. Returning office locations and telephone numbers may be obtained by calling Elections Ontario or by visiting our g.-- .. website. _':’r The Notice of Registration WILL LOOK LIKE THIS. The Ontario Fire Code requires that every home have working smoke alarms. Install them in your home or cottage today! . WARS/. NEW ELECTORAL DISTRICTS The boundaries for electoral districts in Ontario provincial elections have changed. The number of electoral districts has been reduced from 130 to 103 and boundaries are now the same as those for federal elections. You may confirm your electoral district by calling Elections Ontario or by visiting our website. QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE To be eligible to vote, on polling day a person must be: • 18 years of age, • a Canadian citizen, and • a resident of the electoral district. Persons who ceased to live in Ontario within the two years before polling day may be entitled to vote under certain conditions, ('.all us for further information. If you have friends or relatives who have difficulty reading, please make them aware of the information in this notice. E ections Ontario A non-partisan Agency of the U*gislativc Assembly. Kreptny you informed. TR/37