During its September 7, 2021 Regular Meeting, Penticton Council received an update on the City’s Social Development and Emergency Support Services (ESS) initiatives. The update focused on reviewing the past year and outlining priorities for the remainder of 2021.
The Social Development Department was formally created in the 2020 budget and has lead the creation of a community child care action plan, a community age-friendly action plan and is currently working with partners on building capacity and helping coordinate local initiatives around housing and health.
Over the last year, Social Development and ESS have grown into a team of staff, volunteers, researchers, and students, and is working on nearly $5 million in initiatives in the community that includes areas such as child care, age friendliness, housing, diversity and inclusion, and health and emergency management.
Key priority areas proposed for the remainder of 2021 include:
- Continue to implement the child care action plan, age-friendly action plan, youth homelessness research project, and great neighbourhoods;
- Find and apply for additional grants that support the City’s social policy;
- Incorporate continuous learning and improvement into the internal work the department does and in the work it does with external partners;
- Help advance the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Penticton
- Rapidly implement the learnings from the 2021 wildfire season, where Penticton’s ESS volunteers provided mutual aid for 12 communities from across BC for over 1,100 evacuees.
“Council appreciated today’s update and a look back at the work that has been completed over the last year, as well as the work and priorities that are planned for the year ahead,” said Penticton’s Mayor, John Vassilaki. “The information shared today will help shape future discussions on the important topic of social development and where best to focus future priorities and spending.”