2
The Government of Alberta extended the deadline for public input into the development of its strategy that will help guide its social policy for years to come to Nov 16.
The Social Policy Framework will be the blueprint through which Alberta deals with everything from education to health care to recreation, and the government has been reaching out through social media and traipsing around to get a ground level view on what this plan should look like.
“We haven't had the dialogue for a long time,” said Leann Wagner, acting executive director of strategic policy, in the ministry of human services. “This is an opportune time to have a conversation about social policy.”
So far 5,000 people have completed surveys with their webpage, which includes an editable Wiki page, and has hit more than 45,000 unique views.
“There's a lot of agreement,” she said. “There's a lot of people saying we recognize that we need to work together on these issues.”
A number of “conversations” have taken place in the area, giving local groups a chance to get their message across. While 11 took place around the Red Deer region and one in Sylvan Lake, none were held in Innisfail. After analyzing all the feedback, the government will produce a third version of the Social Policy Framework by the end of the month.
Cynthia Webber, executive director of Innisfail's Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, says while it was nice to provide input, she would have liked to have been able to get more in depth in her responses.
“I went through the questionnaire that they had available online,” she said. “You don't have much opportunity to share the specific information about your field.”
What's most important is not the consultation process but the end results, she said.
“I've seen the government go through a number of these processes,” she said. “Some things come out of it and some don't change at all.”
Webber says she'd like to see the Social Policy Framework recognize that one of the most cost-effective ways to provide social programming is through non-profit organizations. People who have been mentored are 34 per cent less likely to be victimized or bullied by peers, she noted.
“We've learned how to do things in a way that's financially responsible,” she said.
Webber also hopes the government will put its money where its mouth is, referencing the halt put to Wild Rose Foundation grants, which had awarded up to $50,000 to organizations like food banks, Boys and Girls clubs, inner-city youth programs and women's shelters.
Terry Welsh, past-president of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association says he hopes to see the government engage a full spectrum of groups who help weave a strong social fabric.
“This is something that the government will use to drive the delivery of services,” he said. “It's not related to just social agencies – there's a bigger group of stakeholders out there.”
The ARPA has made formal submissions to the Social Policy Framework development task force, and will review the third version once it's developed.
“We certainly commend the provincial government in developing the social policy framework,” he said, but notes challenges remain with how to efficiently start to implement all the ideas. “How do you reduce duplication in terms of services? Because it's definitely there.”
Welsh, who serves as director of community and protective services for Innisfail, said the document will also guide his dealings with the province.
Bringing a new approach to healthy communities will take a multi-faceted outlook, according to Wagner.
“Our premise is that good social outcomes are not just contained in social service programs,” she said. “What contributes to those is our strong education system, access to health care, the quality of life in our communities in terms of opportunities for recreation, opportunities for cultural engagement, opportunities to volunteer, and also opportunities to participate in the economy.”
