#children

Should Rossland Lead on Family-Friendly Planning?

šŸ” The Family Action Network is presenting their "Growing Up Here" initiative to Council - a regional project to help rural communities attract and retain working families.

šŸ’” They're proposing tools like a Children's Charter to guide future planning.

  • 🌟 Over a decade supporting children and families in Lower Columbia

  • šŸ  Runs Rossland Youth Action Network with 250+ youth engaged in 2024-25

  • šŸ“ž Operates family navigation services and 1-800 support line

  • šŸ“… Provides community programs, events, and early years screening

  • šŸ¤ Mission: "Make our region the Best Place to Raise a Child"

  • 🚨 Childcare spaces exist but can't open due to staffing shortages

  • šŸ’¼ Caregivers forced to leave workforce due to service gaps

  • šŸ“Š Kootenays has BC's lowest labour force participation at 57.1%

  • 🚚 Some families considering leaving the region

  • šŸ› ļø Proposed tools: Children's Charter, Family-Centered Planning Framework, Family Impact Assessment

57.1%
Labour force participation rate in the Kootenays - the lowest in all of British Columbia. This workforce challenge is driving families to leave the region and threatening long-term economic sustainability.

šŸ“… Meeting: Monday, September 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM šŸ¢ Where: Rossland City Council Chambers

šŸ—£ļø Council Decision: Whether to support FAN's regional initiative and provide letters of support for funding applications

šŸ‘„ Get Involved: Attend to hear about family-friendly planning tools