Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism, made the announcement today at the Heritage Skills Development Centre in Scarborough. The centre is receiving funding to deliver workshops that will reach over 100 Black families. The workshops will be geared towards newcomer families and will help foster meaningful and positive interactions and build communication skills.

Other initiatives receiving funding include:

* A culturally appropriate play-based literacy program for Black caregivers and kids.
* An app focused on improving maternal-child health, including postnatal and parenting skills.
* Culturally specific programs designed to support Black fathers.
* Supports designed to meet the needs of families, from online resources to peer mentorship, drop-in programs and counselling. This funding is part of Ontario's Black Youth Action Plan, which supports 10,000 Black children, youth and families each year. Investments improve outcomes for Black youth by empowering them to succeed in school, post-secondary education and employment.

Improving outcomes for Black children, youth and families is part of Ontario's plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, and easier access to affordable child care.

QUICK FACTS

* This year, Ontario is investing $1.1 million in 10 projects through the Innovative Supports for Black Parents initiative under Ontario’s Black Youth Action Plan.
* Programs will be available in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ottawa and Windsor.
* Program locations are available on the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan website.
* Research demonstrates that culturally relevant and responsive parenting supports can lead to positive outcomes for children as well as parents and caregivers.
* Ontario’s Black Youth Action Plan is aligned with A Better Way Forward: Ontario’s 3-Year Anti-Racism Strategic Plan and Ontario’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy.