DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

DEFINITIONS:

Coalition – a group of committed individuals and organizations in the community (e.g. parents, teachers, school boards, local businesses, social services, health services, recreational services, sponsoring organization and government).

Community Mapping – A process that uses computer software to create maps to visually display the community’s socio-economic status, distribution of community resources and distribution of children’s developmental outcomes.

Community Programs and Services – Programs and services available in a given community for young children and their families. These include a range of services such as health clinics, schools, family resource centres, libraries, recreational facilities such as parks and pools, child-care facilities and related programs.

Community Coordinator – A person hired by the sponsoring organization for the community Understanding the Early Years (UEY) initiative to coordinate and manage activities related to the research initiative.

Sponsoring Organization – A legally incorporated non-profit organization with a mandate focusing on social development issues that applies for a UEY project. If the application is approved, the organization enters into a Contribution Agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada. The sponsoring organization is accountable for the management and delivery of the project, within the budget allocations.

ACRONYMS:

• SBEIS Sackville Bedford Early Intervention Society
• HRSB Halifax Regional School Board
• UEY Understanding the Early Years
• EDI Early Development Instrument
• PIDACS Parent Interviews and Direct Assessments of Children Surveys
• HRSDC Human Resources and Social Development Canada
• NLSCY National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth

The Understanding the Early Years Initiative is funded by Human Resources and Social Development Canada. For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.