September 13, 2022
SCARP Adjunct Professor Scott Graham, and the team he led, has received a PIBC Excellence in Planning Award for their innovative report on thriving and affordable child care.
The winning submission was a comprehensive report for the City of Coquitlam, "Child Care Partnership Strategy", developed using a collaborative process that brought together partners and community members to:
- learn about the local child care system
- strengthen relationships
- Identify key child care needs
- Introduce new ways to help meet those needs
For many families living in Coquitlam, child care plays a vital role in their daily lives, as it allows them to participate in the workforce and have a positive impact on the local economy. Beyond this, equitable access to high-quality, affordable child care provides early childhood education, contributes to healthy child development, promotes equity and gender equality, builds community connectivity, and enhances the overall health and well-being of the community.
Despite the well-known benefits of high-quality, affordable child care, many Coquitlam families struggle to access child care that meets their needs...
The City can play a role in facilitating the development of licensed child care to meet the needs of the growing number of families living and working in Coquitlam, including the diverse needs of underserved populations.