Family Resource Centre coming to Lloydminster

The Lloydminster Public School Division is taking the lead on a $215,000 start-up investment for a new family resource centre in Lloydminster.

The Saskatchewan and Federal government funding comes as the province aims to increase these facilities from 12 to 15 in total. The centres offer families with young children up to the age of five several early learning resources, services, and supports to improve developmental needs and get kids ready for school.

Officials say from April 2020 to March 2021, the centres distributed 13,000 learning activity kits and had 898,000 social media and web page views. They were also able to welcome 15,400 children and adults in person.

Planning and development for the Early Years Family Resource Centre in the Border City is to begin shortly with the aim to open this fall. The government release also indicates the facility will create staffing positions for a centre coordinator and early childhood facilitators.

The LPSD is sharing their excitement for this development and will decide on a site location.

Ministry of Education officials indicate Lloydminster was selected because it has sufficient population to implement the provincial Family Resource Centres model, as well the community has strong partnerships, physical space and qualified staff to leverage the ongoing support for the centre going forward.