by Jarvis Googoo, Health Policy Analyst, APC

The Atlantic First Nations Child and Youth Strategic Plan (“Plan”) is a shared commitment by First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Atlantic Region (FNIHB), the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC), Tribal organizations, Atlantic Chiefs and Councils, and First Nations communities, to work together to realize a future where all Atlantic First Nations children and youth are healthy, culturally proud, and confident. It has a five year horizon from 2013 to 2018.

In March 2011, “Investing in children and youth” was identified as one of the region’s four health priorities by the Atlantic Chiefs. Many perspectives contributed to the Plan, such as Health Directors, various Health Advisory Committees, Mi’kmaq/Maliseet Atlantic Youth Council members, early childhood program workers, and other health professionals. The engagement work was completed in late-2011/early-2012. The Plan has five goals, encompassing various activities. In March 2013, APC Health Directors were surveyed on the Plan in their communities, and 20 responded that they had “success stories” to share that matched the five goals. In the spring and summer 2014, these stories were recorded and documented for the Progress Report to inform the Health Partnership of the work being done by First Nations and FNIHB in pursuit of the Plan’s goals. In September 2014, a presentation was given at the Health Partnership meeting on five random communities in the Atlantic regi ...