Funding Opportunity: Enhanced Ontario Youth Action Plan
Posted: July 15, 2015
Categories: Edible Education Network / Food in the News / Funding Opportunities / GoodFoodBites
The enhanced Youth Action Plan, announced by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services on June 26, is designed to expand the government’s efforts to prevent youth violence across Ontario. About $55 million will be invested over three years and impact more high-needs areas including Sudbury, Kingston, Brantford, Peterborough, Thunder Bay and the Greater Toronto Area.
The first version of the Youth Action Plan was released in 2012 to response to incidents of gun violence. The Enhanced Youth Action Plan is based on the success of the 2012 Youth Action Plan and aims to provide more assistance to break down barriers for youth, and provide the necessary services and opportunities they need to succeed. The Plan promotes partnership among Ontario families and all organizations and structures supporting youth empowerment and well-being.
From the Ontario Newsroom announcement:
“The enhanced plan is based on 5 pillars:
- Best Start, Right Start – providing early and ongoing support to help young people make better choices and successfully transition into their teen years with initiatives like Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) and the development of a Middle Years Strategy
- Safe Communities – laying the foundation for keeping youth and communities safe through programs like Youth Justice Family Workers and a new Restorative Justice and Conflict Mediation Program
- Youth Well-being – decreasing risk factors such as disengagement with school, unemployment and antisocial activity through programs like the Youth Outreach Worker Program and the province wide expansion of the Youth Opportunities Fund
- Youth Engagement – addressing barriers to social inclusion and creating more positive opportunities for newcomer and Aboriginal youth, through measures including a new Youth Mentorship Program
- Working Together, Building on Success – working together with the private sector and community providers to create new opportunities for youth through programs like the Private Sector Jobs and Mentorship Initiative“
Food-based programs for children and youth could help meet some of these intended outcomes. Student Nutrition Programs and hands-on food literacy education, including culinary arts training and gardening, have been shown to improve academic achievement, attendance and classroom behaviour, as well as improve social inclusion in school communities. Complementary food literacy programs can also amplify the benefits of student meals by getting students excited about choosing, trying and eating healthy options, which impacts long-term youth well-being.
Innovative programs have also built bridges to employment for youth by providing opportunities to develop employable skills and play an important role in community projects such as supporting school gardens through the summer. Learn more about the far-reaching impacts of healthy school food programs and food literacy education with the Say Yes! To Good Healthy Food in Schools toolkit.
Read more about the Enhanced Youth Action Plan.