In everything we do, in everything we say, we are all role models. As parents, we are given the enormous privilege and responsibility of providing our children with the love and nurturing they need # from the moment of conception to the day they venture out on their own, but no parent can do it all on their own. It takes an entire community to raise a child, and as a community, we must have the vision to ensure children have the right types of supports and services in place to help them succeed. Sure Steps is that vision, with a promise to build a strong foundation for many bright futures. The reward? Young Albertans prepared to greet the future with confidence.

Sure Steps - Alberta's vision for early childhood focuses on four key areas of support for our children, with Regional Authorities and their community partners determining priority initiatives that specifically meet the needs of their communities.

Sure Step 1: Healthy Birth Outcomes
Parents who make healthy choices about relationships, nutrition and the use of alcohol and drugs, will be better prepared for a healthy pregnancy.
Early childhood development investments will provide greater access to services for expectant parents, new parents and infants. These services include prenatal classes and additional support to new mothers in monitoring their baby's health and caring for their infant.

The ECD Initiative supports new parents through the region 7 Healthy Families:  Home Visitation programs.  Home Visitation services are designed for new parents who want extra support and information on parenting and child development.  Home Visitors work with parents, in the family's home, to build on their strengths and enhance their parenting skills.

Sure Step 2: Enhancing Parenting Skills and Supporting Optimal Child Development
Parents have primary responsibility for meeting the needs of their children. Positive parenting is one of the strongest factors in promoting healthy and successful outcomes for children. Investments will strengthen the capacity of parents to meet the needs of their children by providing additional supports such as parent-child resources and home visitation programs.

The ECD Initiative supports a range of opportunities for young children, their parents and caregivers to access, such as:

a.  Early Learning and Play for Young Children
b.  Education, Skills and Supports for Parents and Families
c.  Parent/Child Play Programs

Sure Step 3: Optimal Childhood Development
Quality early childhood development programs are a valuable support to parents in promoting positive child development and improving the likelihood that a child will be better prepared for, and successful in school. Investments will provide enhanced early childhood development programs in a variety of settings. These programs can be accessed by parents in childcare settings, pre-school, family resource centres, Moms & Tots programs and toy-lending libraries.

Sure Step 4: Building Community Capacity
To build strong children, we need strong communities. Parents, government, businesses and local organizations must be encouraged to continue working together to meet the needs of our children. Investments will provide increased support for local partners, parents and communities to plan, provide, evaluate and continuously improve the quality of services to support children and families.

Early Childhood Development Initiative (ECDI) partner teams have been established in each Zone of Region 7.  ECD Service plans are created and implemented in partnership with our colleagues from:  Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), Aspen Reginal Health Authority, School Authorities, Child Care Agencies, Aboriginal and other community agencies.