Child Poverty Task Force

In 2007 Lambton County Council created a Child Poverty Task Force representing various sectors of the community. The purpose of the task force was to recommend a community based model for the County of Lambton to adopt as a strategy to reduce the number of children living in poverty in the community. The task force also recommended a long term strategy for monitoring the model’s implementation  

Task Force Members:

• Tony Doucette - Professional Business Sector 
• Gord Perry - Lambton County Councillor
• Brian McManaman – Poverty Advocate
• Doug Ball – Manager, County of Lambton
• Father Robert Lemon – Faith Based Sector
• Rhonda Janess - Parent
• Dr. Clare McGregor – Medical Sector
• Margaret Dragan – Education Sector
• Jim Foubister – County/City Councillor, Chairperson

The accomplishments of the task force include:

• developing a local definition of poverty,
• developing a social tag line,
• creating a resource guide of programs and services for children,
• recommending the Circles poverty reduction model to County Council 

The recommendation and plan approved by County Council are provided below.

SPPS_Circles_Implementation_Plan_09_17_2008_Revised_2.pdf

SPPS__Circles_Implementation_Plan_Report_Recommendation.pdf

The Task Force recommended that Lambton County Council adopt the Circles Model of poverty reduction. This model engages people from poverty and middle class to work together on their dreams, plans and goals.

The Circles Model aims to:
• Change the mindset of the community so it wants to and thinks it can end poverty;
• Change the goals (policy, law) of the system to end poverty;
• Empower people in poverty to help solve community problems while transitioning out of poverty themselves.

In the Fall of 2008 Lambton County Council officially adopted the Circles Model of poverty reduction. This completed the mandate of the Child Poverty Reduction Task Force.

If you are interested in participating in this exciting poverty reduction strategy, please contact

Gayle Montgomery, Circles Coordinator
gayle.montgomery@county-lambton.on.ca
or 519 344-2062 ext 2169

Community Resources for Children

Child_Poverty_Task_Force_Guide.pdf

Poverty Affects Health Care Costs

Poverty_Affects_Health_Care_Costs.doc