Chapter Five

              

            

          		
        

      

      
 
        

          
 
             
             
              
 Harvesting 
                 

            		
          

          
 
             
             
              
 1999 
                Onward

            		
          

        

        


          Many years of experience and directed, yet comprehensive research have 
          enabled STCC to harvest significant learnings and observations. Over 
          the years, STCC has been able to adapt to changing and challenging elements. 
          Always, the STCC Program has responded with resilient and creative, 
          problem solving. Listed below are some germane findings from these experiences 
          and observations on the essential growing conditions for a community-based 
          emergency child care service.

        
    
          
  • STCC worked closely with the child care 
            and wider community to address real needs and to develop a responsive 
            service model.
    
            
    
          
    • 
          
  • Before initiating a specific service 
            such as emergency child care comprehensive needs assessment must be 
            conducted; its findings must be incorporated into the design and operation 
            of the service.
    
            
    
                 A community-based, innovative 
            venture such as Short Term Care requires a champion, an advocate, 
            and a master gardener with vision and flexibility to take the first 
            step and lead others.
    
            
    
            
    • 
          
  • Emergency child care is a shared responsibility 
            - for families, parents, organizations and the child care and wider 
            community. A community-based emergency child care service should involve 
            the interests, energies and commitments of all of these stakeholders.
    
            
    
            
    • 
          
  • Research is the ultimate fertilizer 
            for an innovative, hybrid service. Its findings can feed and adapt 
            the service to be more responsive and more resilient. Research should 
            be as action-oriented as possible so that it is relevant and applicable.
    
            
    
            
    • 
          
  • A successful, emergency childcare service 
            should have a focus on the consumer and service quality. The service 
            needs ongoing, strong exposure. There is an ongoing need for marketing 
            and promotion to introduce the service to new parents and organizations.
    
            
    
          
    • 
          
  • Secured sponsorship and support is key 
            to a viable emergency childcare service. 
    
            
    
            
    • 
          
  • The growth cycle of the STCC service 
            has been: innovate - evaluate and refine -adapt - innovate. 
          
    • 
        

        
In the fall, 1999, STCC came full circle, 
          returning to its place of origin, as a program of Andrew Fleck Child 
          Care Services, where it had originated twelve years previously. 
        

        
For further information about the Short 
          Term Child Care Program or any of the information mentioned in this 
          publication contact:

        
 Andrew Fleck Child Care 
          Services

          700 Industrial Avenue. Suite 600

          Ottawa,Ontario K1G 0Y9

          Telephone: (613) 736-5355

          Fax: (613) 736-8378

          E-mail: stcc@afchildcare.on.ca

          Web site: www.stcc.on.ca

        


          Research Documents cited in the text

          

          Partners towards Balance. 
          Labour Management Partnerships Project. Funded by HRDC. 1996

        

        Emergency 
          Child Care: It's Impact, Practice and Innovation. A Canadian Story.

        
Funded by Child Care Visions, 
          HRDC, Social Development Partnerships Program. 

          December, 1998