The Government of Alberta introduced the Parent Link Centre initiative in 2004-05.  The initiative supports 16 parent resource centres across the province with two of these centres providing an Aboriginal focus.  Children's Services has launched a three-year plan for Parent Links with the development of approzimately 40 Parent Link centres across the province.  

Research over the past decade has shown that parenting has a powerful impact on children's learning and behaviour.  It has also shown that parents need support and that comprehensive, community-based parent resource programs can have positive, long-term effects on child development.

Parent Link Centres are community planned and community based.  They are centres of excellence that provide parents and families with comprehensive support in the form of four core services:

Early Childhood Development and Care:  This core service includes programs that help to build parents'/caregivers' skills and confidence in providing nurturing environments for their children.  They address the needs of all types of parents, regardlesss of family structure or socio-economic background.  Programs may include formal and informal workshops and seminars on issues related to parenting and early childhood development.

Parent Education:  These include programs that provide a range of interactive, play-based problem-solving experiences.  For example, play-based learning activities in which parents and children interact, play group programs in which children can explore art, physical recreation and early literacy.

Family Support:  These programs are intended to help parents identify and develop their strengths and be active in their children's development.  Programs may include a range of social, educational, and recreational programs and activities including:  collective kitchens, toy lending libraries, family counselling, as well as, formal and informal opportunities for parents to meet other parents.

Information and referrals:  Parent Link centres provide an information portal that connects parents with programs, tools and resources that can help them raise strong, healthy, well-adjusted children.  Specific serices may include:  resource libraries, registries of child care providers, resource lists, referrals to community programs and services.

Region 7, in partnership with community stakeholders met September 30, 2004, to determine the location and delivery model most suitable for families in the region.  Over the next three years, funds will be available for the development of 3 Parent Link centres in our region.  The partnership determined that the first Parent Link centre in this region would be located in the East Zone of Region 7 (2004-05, Lakeland Parent Link Network) and the second centre in the North Zone (2005-06).  The location of the third Parent Link centre is yet to be determined. 

The Lakeland Parent Link Network in Bonnyville (East Zone) provides services to Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St. Paul, Lac La Biche and Plamondon.  Please contact the Bonnyville office for more information on specific services and programs:

Parent Child Centre
4914 - 48th Street
Bonnyville, Alberta

Telephone: 780-826-2120
Email:  bdfcss@bonnyville.ca

For more information on the Lakeland Parent Link Network please visit:

http://www.town.bonnyville.ca/

or contact:

David Beale at 780-826-2120.

For more information on Parent Links development please contact the Early Childhood Development Specialist, Karen Exchange at 780-817-3756.

Additional Information can also be found on the Children's Services website, under 'What We Do', at:

http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/