Loading...
Clinton News Record, 2015-12-23, Page 7Wednesday, December 23, 2015 • News Record 7 County and its municipalities celebrate collaboration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 They are pleased that the Bluewater plan aligns with the county plan, which indicates that all parties are in sync. They were also pleased with the groundswell of support that they received from the various sectors in the municipality. Central Huron faced the challenge of trying to stay on track after the former CAO, who had been leading the process, was no longer with the municipality. The process began to fall apart when this happened. The core team was able to regroup and now have four goals that they are work- ing orking on. They will have an Eco- nomic Strategic Plan in the future. Huron East reported that they were challenged with the awkward geographic area that they are to represent. To address this, approximately 200 people were polled for their input. They were suc- cessful in getting information from all of the geographic areas. They believe that they have a very community-based Strategic Economic Plan. Their next step involves work- ing orking on communication. They asked that the county con- tinue to facilitate communica- tion in and amongst the municipalities, as this is diffi- cult for the individual munici- palities to try to do. It was sug- gested that all parties present at the celebration come together about once per year for informal conversations and networking. Howickwas originally skep- tical about the process, but now have a Strategic Plan to take to Council. They believe the plan is a good one that is practical, with things that can be done now, as well as things for future planning. It acknowledges some of the Mennonite issues, especially those dealing with small farm agriculture. The planning team was pleased that this community was comfortable in working with the team. The next steps for this municipal- ity include communications, as well, but in the areas of broadband access and better cellular coverage. They rec- ommend that the county review all of the municipal plans to find common areas to work collaboratively. Huron County believed the greatest success of this process was obtaining the comprehen- sive feedback from the individ- ual municipalities. There was a long training process involved and the need for this training and the planning process was recognized as being valuable for the local levels. With the county and the municipalities going through the process together, it has been a big step forward in relationship build- ing. The next steps involve cre- ating forms at the county level to continue to aid communica- tion with the municipalities. It was recognized that all who were involved would like to meet annually as part of the improved communications desired. Morris Turnberry's success was in having everything unfold from the core team which included youth, private busi- nesses, rural residents, manu- facturing and the Orthodox Mennonites as the Strategic Planning team. The process was an eye-opener. The goals established are hopefully not only doable, but able to be done in not too long of a time frame to not lose the momentum that has built during the process. The next step is to determine two to four common goals, as early success is critical. They also requested that OMAFRA and Huron County identify what their roles will be going forward. North Huron felt their great- est success was in indentifying the key stakeholders in the municipality. Their needs and opinions are varied, but there are also similarities. The indi- viduals who formed the core team were really engaged and committed. The networking, collaborations and relation- ships that are now in place are Schools, CAS sign agreement Postmedia Network Two area Children's Aid Societies (CAS) and four dis- trict school boards have signed an agreement whose goal is to provide greater in - school support for youth who are in the care of the CAS. Announced in a media release this week, the Joint Protocol for Student Achieve- ment (JPSA) provides clearly defined procedures to sup- port students without com- promising confidentiality. Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 who are in the care of the Huron -Perth CAS or the Bruce -Grey Child and Family Services will be offered a support team at their school with the acronym REACH - Realizing Educational Achievement for Children/ Youth. An educational success plan will look at strengths and learning needs that will be reviewed at least twice per year. It will work in conjunc- tion with the many supports already offered within the school setting. The goal is to enhance com- munication between CAS agencies and school boards, and provide a framework for collaborative practices. "The idea is to ensure smooth school transitions when they are necessary and consistent educational sup- port for children and youth who are in the care of each Children's Aid Society;" said David MacLennan, who facili- tated the agreement. "This landmark agreement covers a four -county area; it means that young people who have had significant personal chal- lenges will be supported in their education through a col- laborative effort between area Children's Aid agencies and school boards" The JPSA was created through the combined efforts of the two area Children's Aid Societies, the Avon Maitland District School Board, Huron Perth Catholic District School Board, Bluewater District School Board and Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board. Its development was funded by the Ministry of Education working in con- junction with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Uni- versities and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Other similar agreements are being implemented across Ontario. "This protocol will go a long way to strengthen the work between the boards of educa- tion and the Children's Aid Society, and as a result improve the outcomes for our most vulnerable children," said Shaun Jolliffe, executive director of the Huron -Perth CAS. AMDSB director of 1• Cie Ce EL CL CLCki Li) c z tia IE IJJ J EL education Ted Doherty said that he was proud that the board is a partner in the crea- tion of the document. "One of the most important parts of our work is to help to level the playing field for all students," Doherty said. "This protocol helps us do just that for some of our children:' valuable both now and going forward. The Strategic Plan that was developed is meant to be a living document that includes ways of measuring various types of success, incorporates goals and includes the Strategic Plan, Economic Plan and all of the other Department plans. South Huron felt that the greatest success was that all had worked together, includ- ing the Chamber of Com- merce, the BIA and the municipality. The municipal- ity was working on their Stra- tegic Plan at the same time that the team was working on the Strategic Economic Plan, which aligned nicely with the current plan. It was decided that more work is needed to determine the needs of the manufacturing core in order to meet the needs of the work- force orkforce that will be required. The next step is for the municipali- ties to get together to see what they can come up with as things that they can work together on. Communication with the county was also stressed. Lass concluded the evening by assuring all present that the flip charts submitted will be gathered up and, with the information being received in the individual Strategic Eco- nomic Plans being submitted by the municipalities, the next steps will be consolidated into a document that will be dis- tributed to the municipalities. Sandra McCann will continue to assist with circulation of information through the OMAFRA office in Clinton. Scutt assured the group that OMAFRA will most certainly be staying involved. Lass commented that one thing that became very clear throughout this process is that, "People are passionate about where they live and they want to make an impact The process that has just been completed is just the end of phase one. This is the first of many baby steps in working togetwher. The even- ing was to celebrate this begin- ning. "Now is when the rubber hits the road:' Carpet Bowling and Shuffleboard Results Carpet Bowling Ladies' High: (1st) Lucy Sage - 27 (2nd) Brenda Stubbs - 23 Men's High: (1st) Allan Lavis - 24 (2nd) Eric Wheeler - 21 Shuffleboard Ladies' High: (1st) Janet Harris - 182 (2nd) Ethel Walker - 179 Men's High: (1st) Burt Greidanus - 176 (2nd) Allan Lavis - 147 clintonnewsrecord.com DEADLINES Our Vrreekly Deadlines are a, follows ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm OFF HOURS:. Mom- - Frio' .ant - 5pm CWS•ED TL I FSL.AY:S. 53 Albert St, S. Clinton P H ; 519-482-3443 ++mw,clintonne,..srccord.;4m