Social Sustainability Framework
March 30, 2007
Council approves Social Sustainability Framework to enhance well-being of residents
- New plan based on input from the community
Strathcona County Council has approved the Social Sustainability Framework, a comprehensive plan to guide the municipality in building a healthy and compassionate community.
"The adoption of this framework is a milestone for us," says Mayor Cathy Olesen. "It will help us achieve the vision that residents have told us they want, a caring community where people feel included, and have the support they need to reach their potential."
The Social Sustainability Framework represents over a year of extensive research and community consultation led by the County's Family and Community Services department. Council approval of the Framework means that the social impacts will routinely be considered in all applicable decisions as part of the annual business planning and budgeting process.
For the longer term, the Framework sets out 20 recommended actions to be explored over the next two to three years, and introduced as funding permits. These recommendations are wide ranging, from a review of affordable housing, to school breakfast or snack programs, a community seniors' plan, a volunteer home visiting program, and a campaign encouraging people to get to know their neighbours.
"Our research within the community showed overwhelming support not only to ensure that all citizens have access to programs, services and housing, but also for greater neighbourhood cohesiveness and community awareness," says Mayor Olesen.
The Social Sustainability Framework acknowledges the effectiveness of existing programs such as the Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy, and recommends the County build on its work with partners including local school systems, the province, the volunteer sector and business.
Social sustainability is one of three key elements in Strathcona County's Strategic Plan; the others are economic and environment. With the Social Sustainability Framework in place, comparable assessments for environmental and economic factors are being developed.
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Contacts:
Mayor Cathy Olesen, 780-464-8000
Catriona Gunn-Graham, Family and Community Services, 780-464- 8434
Background and highlights: Social Sustainability Framework
The 51-page Social Sustainability Framework will be posted on the Strathcona County website at www.strathcona.ab.ca
Questions about the Framework can be directed to Family and Community Services at 464-4044.
Values survey: In developing the Social Sustainability Framework, Strathcona County invited residents to participate in a unique Community Values Survey. More than 600 people provided their input.
The survey, which forms the foundation for the Framework, discovered these four guiding principles.
Social inclusion, the process by which efforts are made to ensure that everyone, regardless of their experiences and circumstances, can achieve their potential.
Community connectedness, the sense of belonging that occurs through formal and informal networks.
Social responsibility, the experience and appreciation of our interdependence and connectedness with others.
Health and well-being, a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellness.
Priorities: three priorities emerged from the research: the need for increased services and supports for children and youth; community affordability; and high levels of stress, particularly in relation to balancing work and home demands.
Notes about our community
A selection of statistics from the Social Sustainability Framework
- 73 per cent of residents know more than six adults by name in their neighbourhood; single parent families know fewer people
- 70 per cent of residents talk to neighbours once or more a week
- 96 per cent of residents have someone other than family to turn to in an emergency
- Strathcona's unemployment rate is 3.8 per cent
- Median family income -- $78,955; $43,275 for lone-parent families
- 61 per cent of single parents have difficult time meeting monthly expenses
- 56 per cent of people work 36 - 50 hours per week
- Population of Sherwood Park grew 25 per cent from 1996 to 2003
- 28 per cent of Grade 6 students, 78 per cent of Grade 8, and 91 per cent of Grade 11 students know someone who has tried illegal drugs
Last updated: Monday, February 08, 2010
Page ID: 3971