County Social Services team honoured with OMSSA Award for Early Years Employment Initiative

Cobourg, ON – June 3, 2025 – Northumberland County’s Community & Social Services team has been awarded the 2024 Community Champions Award by the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) for the Early Years Employment Initiative (EYEI). Presented at the 2025 OMSSA Exchange Conference on May 13 in Toronto, the 2024 Community Champions Award recognizes excellent work done by municipal and district social service teams to improve how human services are coordinated and managed. County Council recognized this achievement at the May 21 Council meeting.

Launched in 2022 through a collaboration between Northumberland County Community & Social Services with Fleming College, Watton Employment Services, Northumberland YMCA, and Five Counties Children’s Centre, the EYEI creates opportunities for students in grades 11 and 12, Watton participants, along with clients accessing Ontario Works, to start – or restart – a career in the Early Years field.

This six-week program supports hiring and long-term retention of qualified professionals to a field that is facing significant sector-wide shortages. It provides participants with a ladder of opportunity – equipping them with the skills and certifications needed to begin or restart a career in Early Childhood Education. To date, 50% of participants have found employment in the field or continued their education – an encouraging measure of the program’s success.

Quotes:

“This employment initiative has changed my life. It has changed my finances, the way I parent, and how I contribute to my community. The EYEI gave me all the tools I needed to begin a career I love and take the steps to pursue a post-secondary education. Today, I’ve found a job in childcare, I came off of OW within a year of working, and have graduated with honours in ECE.” Hafsa Asif, EYEI program graduate

“County Council is incredibly proud of our Community & Social Services team for their innovation and dedication. The Early Years Employment Initiative is a clear example of how creative, community-focused solutions can empower individuals, strengthen families, and address workforce gaps. This award from OMSSA is a well-deserved recognition of the team’s leadership, collaboration, and commitment to building a stronger future for Northumberland.” Brian Ostrander, Warden

“Investing in programs that support Early Years professionals isn’t just about building careers – it’s about laying the foundation for services that support strong children, families, and communities. When we uplift those who shape young minds, we shape a better future for everyone.” Lesley Patterson, Manager of Early Years Services

“This initiative opens doors for residents—whether they're students planning their future or individuals looking to re-enter the workforce—by connecting them with meaningful careers in the Early Years sector. It also helps build a much-needed pipeline of qualified local professionals at a time when demand for Early Childhood Educators is rising sharply across the province. Strengthening our local workforce in this way supports families by ensuring greater access to the reliable childcare our community depends on, contributing to Northumberland’s economic prosperity.” Dwayne Campbell, Director of Economic Development, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives

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Members of Northumberland County Council, Northumberland County Community & Social Services staff, representatives from EYEI program partners including Watton Employment Services, Northumberland YMCA, and Five Counties Children’s Centre, with EYEI program graduate Hafsa Asif and family members.