Child protection : trends and issues in Alberta
The Honourable Iris Evans, Minister of Children's Services for Alberta, has stated that "Alberta's children deserve to be cherished and cared for in quality childcare settings that contribute to their social and personal development" (Government of Alberta, December 16, 2002). Fortunately, the majority of parents are raising their children in such environments. However, there are families who pose a risk to the safety and security of their children, and child protection services may be involved with these families. The Alberta Response Model is based on the assumption that families who come to the attention of the child protection system are currently handled in a manner that is intrusive and stigmatizing. Instead of being a helpful and proactive service, child protection can become detrimental and potentially harmful to the clientele it serves. The Alberta Response Model is a new departure in child welfare practice and provides an alternative approach. Each of the 18 regional Child and Family Service Authorities is to develop its own initiatives incorporating the activities and philosophy of the Alberta Response Model. In the southern Alberta region, Sun Country Child and Family Services provides child protection services and has developed many innovative and creative projects to keep children safe. This project examines the Alberta Response Model in four sections: the historical context, current practice, Sun Country's response, and concerns and dilemmas.
News release
Singapore, May 11, 2017 – Wilmar International Limited (“Wilmar” or “the Group”), Asia’s leading agribusiness group, reported a 40% increase in core net profit to US$312.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (“1Q2017”) (1Q2016: US$222.4 million). The strong result reflected good performance from Oilseeds & Grains and Tropical Oils as well as higher contributions from the Group’s associates. Gains from the Group’s portfolio of investment securities, due to improved conditions in equities markets, led to a 51% improvement in net profit to US$361.6 million for the quarter (1Q2016: US$239.4 million).
Access to antenatal care and children’s cognitive development: a comparative analysis in Ethiopia, Peru, Vietnam and India
ObjectivesEarly life interventions are considered essential for reducing the burden of health inequalities over the life course. This paper tests this issue empirically focusing on whether access to antenatal care can later reduce children’s health and educational inequalities.MethodsData came from the Young Lives Project for Ethiopia, Peru, Vietnam, and the State of Andhra Pradesh in India. We selected children born in early 2001/2002 and who were followed longitudinally in 2006/2007. We used multilevel mixed effects linear regression models to estimate the parameters of interest.ResultsWe found a positive and significant relationship between mothers’ access to antenatal care and their children’s cognitive development in all countries. In addition, we found a positive and significant relationship between antenatal care and children’s cognitive development for stunted children but only in Peru and Vietnam.ConclusionsWe conclude that (1) antenatal care has the potential to change the negative consequences of early nutritional deficiencies on later cognitive development in Peru and Vietnam; (2) differentials in the quality of antenatal care services could explain the cross-country differentials in the role of early life interventions found here.