The Premier’s Council on Healthy Child Development has introduced a new annual award to recognize Island businesses that support employees with young children.
The Council is now calling for nominations for the 2007 Champions for Children Awards. These awards are presented each year to individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to the healthy development of Island children.
The new business award will recognize a Prince Edward Island business that promotes work and family balance, offers a family friendly work environment or supports community programs for young children.
Premier Pat Binns said one of the best things people can do to support young children is to allow their parents some flexibility to balance work and family needs. “We are pleased to offer this new award that will recognize the excellent leadership being taken by Island businesses to support children and families,” he said.
Council chair Dr. David Wong said one of the goals of the provincial healthy child development strategy is to increase parent support for children by fostering the development of policies that support family friendly work environments. “There is a great deal of good work going on in this area now in PEI,” he said. “Businesses today are doing more to support work and family balance. They are doing this because it is the right thing to do and because it is very good for business.”
The Premier’s Council on Healthy Child development monitors and reports on the implementation of the healthy child development strategy and advises the Premier on the progress of Prince Edward Island children. Council members include Dr. David Wong, Chair, Cindy Shepard, Alice Taylor, Charles Sark, BJ Willis and Frank MacAulay.
For information on how to nominate an individual, group or business for a Champions for Children award, visit the Healthy Child Development web site at www.gov.pe.ca/hcd or call Sarah Henry at 368 6513.
Nominations should be sent by March 15, 2007 to the Premier’s Council on Healthy Child Development, attention Sarah Henry, Department of Social Services and Seniors, 161 St. Peter’s Road, P.O. Box 2000, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7N8.