Our Place-Learning in Motion:Our Place-Learning in Motion:Social Inclusion at Social Inclusion at

Better Beginnings Better FuturesBetter Beginnings Better Futures

2006-20082006-2008

Funded by the Government of Canada- Funded by the Government of Canada- Social Development Partnerships Social Development Partnerships

Program Program

What is Better What is Better Beginnings Beginnings Better Futures (BBBF)?Better Futures (BBBF)?

BBBF is a community-based program that BBBF is a community-based program that provides supports and services for parents and provides supports and services for parents and caregivers with children 0 to 5 years of age and caregivers with children 0 to 5 years of age and pregnant women living in the Heatherington/ pregnant women living in the Heatherington/ Albion/ Ledbury/Fairlea neighbourhoods of Albion/ Ledbury/Fairlea neighbourhoods of South-East Ottawa. South-East Ottawa.

BBBF is a program of the South-East Ottawa BBBF is a program of the South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre. Community Health Centre.

Where is BBBF located?Where is BBBF located?

Community House22-1485 Heatherington Road Ottawa, ON K1V 8Z4Telephone: 613-523-2223

Playgroup1495 Heatherington Road(In the Albion Heatherington Community Centre)

BBBF: Community ProfileBBBF: Community ProfileTotal Population:Total Population: 7,3427,3420-4 years: 0-4 years: 5405405-9 years: 5-9 years: 565565

Immigrants:Immigrants: 39.4%39.4%Percentage of immigrants arriving in the last 5 years:Percentage of immigrants arriving in the last 5 years: 24%24%Mother Tongue other than English or French: Mother Tongue other than English or French: 41.5 %41.5 %Percentage of Visible Minorities:Percentage of Visible Minorities: 49.6%49.6%

Total number of census familiesTotal number of census families: : 1,8401,840Percentage of lone parent families: Percentage of lone parent families: 36% 36%

Percentage of multi-unit dwellingsPercentage of multi-unit dwellings: : 89.2%89.2%Mobility Status- moved in last year:Mobility Status- moved in last year: 23.4%23.4%Mobility Status- moved in past five years: Mobility Status- moved in past five years: 46.5%46.5%

Unemployment Rate: Unemployment Rate: 11.2%11.2%

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population. Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

BBBF: Program GoalsBBBF: Program Goals

reduce the incidence of serious long-term reduce the incidence of serious long-term emotional and behavioural problemsemotional and behavioural problems

promote optimal social, emotional, promote optimal social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive developmentbehavioural and cognitive development

strengthen the ability of communities to strengthen the ability of communities to respond to the needs of children and respond to the needs of children and familiesfamilies

BBBF: ApproachBBBF: Approach

The approach to program development is holistic, The approach to program development is holistic, supporting the child and family consistently from prenatal supporting the child and family consistently from prenatal through the preschool years. The intent is to ensure that through the preschool years. The intent is to ensure that children have “Better Beginnings” in all their social children have “Better Beginnings” in all their social environments, commencing with family and including their environments, commencing with family and including their immediate neighbourhood and local community. immediate neighbourhood and local community.

A A “management from beside”“management from beside” approach places an approach places an emphasis on the relationships between managers, staff, emphasis on the relationships between managers, staff, volunteers and community members. The characteristics volunteers and community members. The characteristics of this management style include process orientation, of this management style include process orientation, people centeredness, hiring from within, democratic people centeredness, hiring from within, democratic leadership, boundary diffusion and modelling. leadership, boundary diffusion and modelling.

BBBF: Three Program AreasBBBF: Three Program Areas

All programs are free.All programs are free.

BBBF

Family Visiting Parent/Child Programs Community Programs

BBBF: Three Program AreasBBBF: Three Program Areas Family Family Visiting Visiting is based on a paraprofessional model. Family is based on a paraprofessional model. Family

Visitors provide social support, information on pregnancy, childbirth, Visitors provide social support, information on pregnancy, childbirth, nutrition, child development and family issue, and linkages to other nutrition, child development and family issue, and linkages to other community services.community services.

Parent Child ProgramsParent Child Programs provide opportunities for parents to provide opportunities for parents to enhance their competencies and confidence in their role as parents, enhance their competencies and confidence in their role as parents, promote adult social interaction, education through modelling and promote adult social interaction, education through modelling and optimal child development. Programs include: high quality playgroup optimal child development. Programs include: high quality playgroup spaces for children and parents/caregivers to mingle and play; a spaces for children and parents/caregivers to mingle and play; a community nurse; well baby drop-ins; pre/post natal supplements; community nurse; well baby drop-ins; pre/post natal supplements; and a community clothing bank.and a community clothing bank.

Community Programs Community Programs promote cooperation and integration promote cooperation and integration between the rich diversity of families in the community and promote between the rich diversity of families in the community and promote healthy, safe neighbourhood environments. Programs include: a healthy, safe neighbourhood environments. Programs include: a family park; Community Connections for newcomers; and a number family park; Community Connections for newcomers; and a number of community events and celebrations. of community events and celebrations.

BBBF: Outcome MeasuresBBBF: Outcome Measures

Research demonstrates that the objectives set by the Research demonstrates that the objectives set by the South-East Ottawa program are being met.South-East Ottawa program are being met.

The rate of Low Birth Weight was 5.4 per hundred The rate of Low Birth Weight was 5.4 per hundred births, and the preterm birth rate was 7.5 per hundred births, and the preterm birth rate was 7.5 per hundred births.births.

These rates are lower than the Ottawa average and the These rates are lower than the Ottawa average and the average for the lowest quintile.average for the lowest quintile.

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, combined data from the 2001, 2003 and 2005 waves.Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, combined data from the 2001, 2003 and 2005 waves.

BBBF: Outcome MeasuresBBBF: Outcome Measures Children living in the Ottawa BBBF Children living in the Ottawa BBBF

neighbourhoods show consistently neighbourhoods show consistently higher scores in the Early higher scores in the Early Development Instrument domains of Development Instrument domains of physical health and well-being, physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive maturity, language and cognitive development, communication skills development, communication skills and general knowledge when and general knowledge when compared to a comparison group of compared to a comparison group of children who do not have BBBF children who do not have BBBF programs and to all but one of the programs and to all but one of the Province of Ontario average scores.Province of Ontario average scores.

Source: Better Beginnings Better Futures: Project Sustainability, 2005. Source: Better Beginnings Better Futures: Project Sustainability, 2005.

Our Place-Learning in Motion: Our Place-Learning in Motion: Research at BBBFResearch at BBBF

Our Place-Learning in Our Place-Learning in Motion Motion (2006-2008)(2006-2008)

The The Our PlaceOur Place initiative was funded initiative was funded over 2 1/2 years by the Government of over 2 1/2 years by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Canada’s Social Development Partnerships ProgramPartnerships Program

Projects were to explore models that Projects were to explore models that promote place-based best practices promote place-based best practices and partnerships to help communities and partnerships to help communities organize themselves to enhance the organize themselves to enhance the well-being of children under six and well-being of children under six and their families, especially those in their families, especially those in disadvantaged circumstances.disadvantaged circumstances.

Our Place: Our Place: Goal of the ResearchGoal of the Research

The goal of the The goal of the Our Place Our Place initiative was to initiative was to identify barriers to participation in Better identify barriers to participation in Better Beginnings Better Futures (BBBF) Beginnings Better Futures (BBBF) programs and services and to find ways programs and services and to find ways to increase the inclusion and participation to increase the inclusion and participation of families in the of families in the Albion, Heatherington, Albion, Heatherington, Fairlea and Ledbury Fairlea and Ledbury neighbourhoods. neighbourhoods.

BBBF: Steering BBBF: Steering CommitteeCommittee

2007-20082007-2008 The South-East Ottawa BBBF The South-East Ottawa BBBF

program is overseen by a Steering program is overseen by a Steering Committee made up of 15 members Committee made up of 15 members including community residents and including community residents and agency representatives. The role of agency representatives. The role of the Committee is to guide the the Committee is to guide the planning, delivery and management planning, delivery and management of the BBBF program. of the BBBF program.

The Committee was involved in all The Committee was involved in all aspects of the aspects of the Our PlaceOur Place Initiative, Initiative, from hiring the project staff, providing from hiring the project staff, providing input on the research questions and input on the research questions and methodology, and reviewing the methodology, and reviewing the reports.reports.

Primary Research QuestionPrimary Research Question

How has BBBF How has BBBF contributed to the contributed to the social inclusion of social inclusion of children and children and families in the families in the BBBF community?BBBF community?

Community Defined Community Defined Definition of Social InclusionDefinition of Social Inclusion

After a careful review of the literature, the Steering After a careful review of the literature, the Steering Committee adopted the following definition of Committee adopted the following definition of social inclusion as they felt it best reflected the social inclusion as they felt it best reflected the goals of BBBF.goals of BBBF.For families with young children living in the Better For families with young children living in the Better Beginnings Better Futures community, social inclusion Beginnings Better Futures community, social inclusion includes having access to child development and includes having access to child development and parental assistance programs. Social inclusion parental assistance programs. Social inclusion provides the opportunity to lead productive, secure provides the opportunity to lead productive, secure lives while developing the skills and knowledge lives while developing the skills and knowledge necessary to participate fully in the community necessary to participate fully in the community (2006)(2006)..

Community-Based Community-Based Research Ethics BoardResearch Ethics Board

Early in the research process the decision was Early in the research process the decision was made that the South-East Ottawa Community made that the South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre (SEOCHC) would establish its Health Centre (SEOCHC) would establish its own Research Ethics Board (REB). With the own Research Ethics Board (REB). With the assistance of the Research Ethics Coordinator assistance of the Research Ethics Coordinator at Carleton University an REB was created and at Carleton University an REB was created and was comprised of staff, volunteers, community was comprised of staff, volunteers, community members and local social service agency members and local social service agency representatives. Terms of Reference were representatives. Terms of Reference were developed following the Tri-Council Guidelines.developed following the Tri-Council Guidelines.

Methodology: Participatory Methodology: Participatory Action Research (PAR)Action Research (PAR)

Action research is defined as doing research with and Action research is defined as doing research with and for people, rather than doing research on them. It for people, rather than doing research on them. It focuses on working with people to identify problems, focuses on working with people to identify problems, implement solutions, monitor the process of change, implement solutions, monitor the process of change, and assess outcomes. Action research incorporates and assess outcomes. Action research incorporates three elements: participatory methods; equality three elements: participatory methods; equality between researchers and participants; and reflection between researchers and participants; and reflection and action. The strength of action research lies in its and action. The strength of action research lies in its ability to influence practice positively while ability to influence practice positively while systematically collecting data. Regular feedback makes systematically collecting data. Regular feedback makes it possible to evaluate the accuracy of the data it possible to evaluate the accuracy of the data collected and to change the process over time (Cave & collected and to change the process over time (Cave & Ramsden, 2002). Ramsden, 2002).

Our Place-Data CollectionOur Place-Data Collection

The project used a multi-method research The project used a multi-method research strategy made up of five parts:strategy made up of five parts:

1) individual interviews 1) individual interviews 2) focus groups 2) focus groups 3) observations 3) observations 4) archival research4) archival research 5) photographs5) photographs

1) Individual Interviews1) Individual Interviews

Eighty-three individuals participated in Eighty-three individuals participated in two rounds of interviews.two rounds of interviews.

Community members were trained to Community members were trained to conduct interviews with other community conduct interviews with other community members in Arabic, English, French, members in Arabic, English, French, Spanish and Somali.Spanish and Somali.

The Researcher conducted the The Researcher conducted the interviews with staff, volunteers, the interviews with staff, volunteers, the Steering Committee and service agency Steering Committee and service agency representatives.representatives.

2) Focus Groups2) Focus Groups

Fifty-six individuals participated in two rounds of focus Fifty-six individuals participated in two rounds of focus

groups.groups. Community members and staff participated Community members and staff participated separately.separately.

The focus groups were an opportunity to keep the The focus groups were an opportunity to keep the community informed about the research. Participants community informed about the research. Participants were asked to disseminate information back out into were asked to disseminate information back out into the community. The Researcher also used the groups the community. The Researcher also used the groups to ask more specific questions about issues arising in to ask more specific questions about issues arising in the initial interviews. Barriers to participation were the initial interviews. Barriers to participation were identified and possible solutions discussed. identified and possible solutions discussed.

The groups were held at the Community House and The groups were held at the Community House and conducted in four languages. conducted in four languages.

3) Observations3) Observations

Over a period of two years, observations were Over a period of two years, observations were conducted on over forty separate occasions in conducted on over forty separate occasions in the community, at Playgroup and at the the community, at Playgroup and at the Community House.Community House.

The Researcher used a participant/ observer The Researcher used a participant/ observer

approach where she actively engaged with the approach where she actively engaged with the community members. and . The Steering community members. and . The Steering Committee believed that establishing a trust Committee believed that establishing a trust relationship with the community would be relationship with the community would be crucial to the research.crucial to the research.

4) Archival Research4) Archival Research

The researcher reviewed research reports and The researcher reviewed research reports and documents on BBBF covering the first 15 years documents on BBBF covering the first 15 years of the program.of the program.

The Researcher also assembled a clippings file The Researcher also assembled a clippings file providing a record of newspaper reports on the providing a record of newspaper reports on the community between May 2007 and July 2008. community between May 2007 and July 2008.

5) Photographs5) Photographs

The photographs were primarily used as The photographs were primarily used as illustrations to enhance the written text. illustrations to enhance the written text. They also provided another opportunity They also provided another opportunity for the community to see themselves for the community to see themselves reflected in the research.reflected in the research.

The The Consent for Use of Photographs Consent for Use of Photographs FormForm was revised to accommodate new was revised to accommodate new forms of media and Right to Privacy forms of media and Right to Privacy legislation. legislation.

Our Place- ParticipantsOur Place- Participants

Participants were drawn from all areas within the BBBF Participants were drawn from all areas within the BBBF geographic boundaries and from a variety of language geographic boundaries and from a variety of language and cultural groups. Research participants included:and cultural groups. Research participants included:

Past and present participants of the BBBF programs Past and present participants of the BBBF programs Staff of the BBBF programsStaff of the BBBF programs Members of the BBBF Steering CommitteeMembers of the BBBF Steering Committee Volunteers Volunteers Service ProvidersService Providers

Findings: Findings: Barriers to Inclusion at BBBFBarriers to Inclusion at BBBF

Concerns about privacy/confidentialityConcerns about privacy/confidentiality Stigma around receiving helpStigma around receiving help Lack of information on program/servicesLack of information on program/services Language barriersLanguage barriers Hours of operation too limited Hours of operation too limited Perceived lack of Cultural CompetencePerceived lack of Cultural Competence Lack of space for children to play at Lack of space for children to play at

Community HouseCommunity House

Strategies to remove Strategies to remove barriers to inclusionbarriers to inclusion

Held focus groups on the Held focus groups on the Confidentiality PolicyConfidentiality Policy at at BBBFBBBF

Introduced new welcoming practices at the Community Introduced new welcoming practices at the Community House and PlaygroupHouse and Playgroup

Redesigned the web site to make information more Redesigned the web site to make information more accessible accessible

Basic program information was translated into Arabic, Basic program information was translated into Arabic, French, Somali and Spanish French, Somali and Spanish

Provided on-going cultural competency training for staffProvided on-going cultural competency training for staff Obtained 1-year funding for a Obtained 1-year funding for a Dads & TotsDads & Tots playgroup playgroup

Findings: What elements Findings: What elements support inclusion at BBBF?support inclusion at BBBF?

Welcoming atmosphereWelcoming atmosphere An openness to different culturesAn openness to different cultures Everybody gets help equally Everybody gets help equally Non-judgemental staffNon-judgemental staff Consistency in staff and servicesConsistency in staff and services Flexibility in the programs Flexibility in the programs Free programs and servicesFree programs and services Opportunities to participateOpportunities to participate

What BBBF means to me. What BBBF means to me.

Participants have their say.Participants have their say.

Homelike Homelike

My friends and I call the My friends and I call the play group the big family play group the big family home. We go to home. We go to playgroup many times playgroup many times especially on Friday especially on Friday since back home on since back home on Friday all of us visit Friday all of us visit together the family together the family house and spend the house and spend the whole day together. We whole day together. We do same thing to do same thing to compensate and to feel compensate and to feel the same feeling as in the same feeling as in our country.our country.

WelcomingWelcoming

The Community Celebration brings people The Community Celebration brings people and different cultures together.and different cultures together.

It feels like my family because I can It feels like my family because I can go anytime take coffee and chat go anytime take coffee and chat

with with anybody there.anybody there.

Its like home- being greeted with a smile, Its like home- being greeted with a smile, offered coffee. It puts me at ease offered coffee. It puts me at ease because I feel I’m welcome.because I feel I’m welcome.

EncouragingEncouragingBy feeling more secure By feeling more secure

myself, I can better serve myself, I can better serve my child. my child.

Having someone I can Having someone I can depend on who depend on who encourages me when I encourages me when I have difficult times.have difficult times.

BBBF helped me in finding BBBF helped me in finding a good relationshipa good relationship..

RespectfulRespectful

There are no restrictions There are no restrictions between the workers between the workers and parents.and parents.

The feeling that I’m The feeling that I’m involved. involved.

The way I’m treated with The way I’m treated with respect. Like an equal.respect. Like an equal.

SupportiveSupportive

I feel for me BBBF is a good place. I am proud of what I feel for me BBBF is a good place. I am proud of what BBBF is doing for me and the community.BBBF is doing for me and the community.

Family visitor who speaks my language and is Family visitor who speaks my language and is familiar with my traditions makes everything familiar with my traditions makes everything easy for me and breaks down obstacles.easy for me and breaks down obstacles.

When I see different faces and people with different When I see different faces and people with different languages, I feel BBBF for all of us not for some.languages, I feel BBBF for all of us not for some.

SourcesSources

• Canadian Community Health Survey 2000/01, 2003, 2005 Combined Share Files, Statistics Canada. Cited in http://www.neighbourhoodstudy.ca

• Cave, A. & Ramsden, V. (2002). Participatory action research. Canadian Family Physician, October, 1671-1672.

• Nelson, G., Pancer, S. M., Peters, R. DeV., Hayward, K., Petrunka, K., & Bernier, J. R. (2005). Better Beginnings, Better Futures: Project Sustainability. Kingston, ON: Better Beginnings, Better Futures Research Coordination Unit Technical Report.

• Statistics Canada. 2007. Statistics Canada. 2007. Census tract profile for 0001.01, Ottawa - Census tract profile for 0001.01, Ottawa - Gatineau, OntarioGatineau, Ontario (table). (table). 2006 Census Tract (CT) Profiles2006 Census Tract (CT) Profiles. 2006 Census. . 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-597-XWE. Ottawa. Released May 1, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-597-XWE. Ottawa. Released May 1, 2008. 2008. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/ct/Index.cfm?Langhttp://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/ct/Index.cfm?Lang=E=E (accessed June 23, 2008). (accessed June 23, 2008).

Contact UsContact Us

Better Beginnings Better FuturesBetter Beginnings Better Futures22-1485 Heatherington Road22-1485 Heatherington RoadOttawa, ONOttawa, ONK1V 8Z4K1V 8Z4Tel: 613-523-2223 Tel: 613-523-2223 Email: Email: www.betterbeginnings.cawww.betterbeginnings.ca

South-East Ottawa Community Health CentreSouth-East Ottawa Community Health Centre13551355 Bank Street, Suite 600Bank Street, Suite 600Ottawa, ONOttawa, ONK1H 8K7K1H 8K7Tel: 613-737-5115Tel: 613-737-5115Email: Email: www.seochc.on.cawww.seochc.on.ca