Lead Department: Social Development Canada

Description

The UEY initiative is an innovative community research pilot launched in 1999 to equip communities with the information and knowledge to understand the development of children in their community and to explore the influence of community factors on the development of young children. Through UEY, information is gathered about children in the community, child development outcomes, families and existing support mechanisms. This information helps communities to develop the most appropriate programs and services for families and their young children.

At present, 12 pilot communities in eight provinces participate in the initiative. The February 2, 2004, Speech from the Throne committed the Government to extend UEY to at least 100 communities. The March 23, 2004, federal budget allocated $68 million over seven years for the expansion of UEY to 100 communities.

UEY helps advance the Government of Canada's agendas for children, communities and lifelong learning. It complements the Federal/Provincial/Territorial September 2000 Early Childhood Development Agreement and the March 2003 Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care

Shared Outcome(s)

• Increased awareness and understanding of community factors affecting child development;
• Enhanced community capacity to better support early childhood development; and
• Development and implementation of sustainable, community-based programs designed to improve child development.

Governance Structures

Social Development Canada works with coalitions in each community and provides the coalition with research evidence for decision making. The coalition mobilizes the community by disseminating these research findings to improve child outcomes.

Partners

• Federal departments/agencies (Statistics Canada)
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs are selected as Project Sponsors responsible for coordinating all UEY-related activities within their community).

Contact

George Kiefl
Manager, Understanding the Early Years Division
Social Development Canada
(613) 948-8378
george.kiefl@sdc-dsc.gc.ca

John Connolly
Income Security Programs, Social Development Canada
(819) 997-1647
john.connolly@sdc-dsc.gc.ca