Family Day puts focus on children's Right to a Caring Home Environment

Research shows the home sets the pattern for a child's attitude towards people and society

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 10 /CNW/ - On February 15, 2010 , Ontario will mark its 2nd Family Day and in Peel, Success By 6 Peel (www.successby6peel.ca/) is saying more needs to be done to ensure that all children feel secure and are loved and cared for.

There are many threats to the security and safety of children, including Postpartum Mood Disorder (PMD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), child safety and neglect. In their report, Status of Children in Peel 2009, Success By 6 reported that according to Peel Children's Aid, between 2008 and 2009 there were 5,000 investigations related to children who might be in need of protection. PMD affects 1 in 5 women in Peel Region and an estimated 160 babies were born with FASD in 2007 in Peel.

"Research has shown that it is the home that sets the pattern for a child's attitude towards people and society, and a caring home environment is critical in the years from age 0 to six," says Success By 6 Peel director Elena DiBattista. "Success By 6 Peel volunteers and partners are working to address and alleviate these serious issues."

In honour of Family Day and the Right to a Caring Home Environment, Success By 6 Peel will be making special deliveries of teddy bears, and a copy of the Peel Children's Charter of Rights (www.powersitefactory.com/successby6peel/pdf/pccr_eng_col.pdf) to both the Peel Children's Centre and Peel Children's Aid. "The teddy bears were a donation from Proctor and Gamble - Wella Professionals, through the United Way of Peel Region, and are a wonderful symbol of the caring home environment that is crucial in every child's upbringing," said Ms. DiBattista .

About the Peel Children's Charter of Rights

Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and A Canada Fit for Children as road maps, Success By 6 Peel embarked on a journey in 2006: to give all children in Peel a voice in matters that affect them. The process of developing this credo meant engaging children and adults in creating a Charter that truly reflects the diverse population of children in Peel Region and shines a light on their needs. The resulting Peel Children's Charter of Rights is recognized as a model for community engagement and children's advocacy.

About Success By 6 Peel

Success By 6 Peel is a regional collaborative with more than forty partners drawn from business, labour, education, recreation, health, human services and government. The United Way of Peel Region holds the Success By 6 Peel license and has empowered the collaborative to lead the way in closing gaps in services and supports so our youngest children have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. www.successby6peel.ca

For further information: Media contact: Beth Williams, Senior Communications Manager, [phone], [email protected]