ADVANCING CHILD & YOUTH WELL-BEING ACROSS THE WEST SHORE-SOOKE REGION Presentation

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Municipal Leaders’ Advisory Team (MLAT) is a bold initiative to improve the well-being of children and youth in the West Shore and Sooke Region.

A dedicated Coordinator is needed to serve as the central resource to drive forward and sustain regional action.

By investing in this mission, municipalities will help create the conditions necessary for young people to thrive across our rapidly growing region.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Various surveys indicate that West Shore-Sooke Region youth are falling behind in areas such as:

• Social Connection
• Hope for the Future
• Mental Well-being

THE UPSIDE

West Shore-Sooke Region municipalities have already prioritized innovative upstream work to improve child and youth well-being in areas such as transportation, civic engagement, youth-friendly spaces, and recreational opportunities.

The MLAT offers an important opportunity to build on this work and deliver more impact through strategic regional collaboration.

THE UPSIDE

The MLAT also benefits from the active participation of key partners

The Village Initiative’s wide network of community service organizations, including:

• Island Health’s Population and Public Health Team
• Sooke School District (SD62)
• and others

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

Working proactively to provide regional youth with the tools they need to be successful, municipalities may be able to reduce costs like:

• Policing
• By-law Enforcement
• Repair of Public Property
• Homelessness and Subsidized Housing
• Lost Economic Potential

OUR COLLECTIVE OPPORTUNITY

Momentum for the Municipal Leaders’ Advisory Team is strong.

Our success will require a common vision, mutually-reinforcing activities, regular communication, and shared measurement and evaluation frameworks.

Dedicated coordination support is required to achieve the team’s success.

THE PROPOSED APPROACH

A dedicated Coordinator will provide the vital backbone support the MLAT needs to effectively and efficiently achieve the region’s objectives.

KEY TEAM COORDINATOR FUNCTIONS

• Serve as the central point of contact and trusted liaison for all aspects of the MLAT initiative
• Monitor existing and proposed municipal policies and identify opportunities for collaboration
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key partners
• Secure ongoing financial support for MLAT initiatives
• Coordinate with staff across municipalities
• Establish a shared measurement and evaluation plan
• Prepare meeting agendas and supporting information

GOVERNANCE & OVERSIGHT

Coordinator is embedded in a neutral body that has agreed to host the role:

The Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria (CSPC)

• Position reports to the CSPC Executive Director
• Strategic direction from MLAT
• Bi-annual updates to all West Shore-Sooke Region municipal councils

IN CLOSING

• Municipal governments play a key role in supporting the well-being of children, youth, and families
• The Village Initiative’s members are eager to work together through the MLAT to co-create meaningful change for youth, children, and families
• The MLAT offers an important opportunity to improve child and youth well-being across the West Shore-Sooke Region
• To realize the MLAT’s potential, hiring a dedicated team Coordinator is essential