This morning saw the launch of the Portage la Prairie Hub Table at Stride Place. It's the fourth one in the province so far. Dr. Chad Nilson made the presentation in front of a large group of local stakeholders. He describes what it's about.

Dr. Chad Nilson"The Portage la Prairie Hub is an opportunity for human service professionals to work upstream, helping families and individuals before harm occurs," he says, "Rather than waiting until crisis happens, this is a commitment to start detecting risk, and deploying interventions that will reduce that risk, before crisis happens. This marks a fundamental shift in the way (human service) business is delivered."

Justice Minister Heather Stefanson's pleased it's a grassroots initiative.

Justice Minister Heather Stefanson, sporting a Portage City Of Possibilities cap

"You all know, as members of this community, that your community is unique," she says, "So there isn't a cookie cutter approach to this -- this has to be done and driven from the communities, based on need within the community. Some of the needs here are not the same as other communities, and that's the important part of this being a grassroots initiative."

Mayor Irvine Ferris adds the city will respond to the Hub Table group's call to get the entire community involved.

Mayor Irvine Ferris"Certainly making people aware, first of all, of the work that the Hub committee is doing," he says, "Certainly, the agencies in Portage are aware of it, and most are participating in it. This a long-term plan, this requires a lot of work -- ongoing work -- but based upon the success we've seen in other communities, we have great expectations for this."

Planning for the Hub Table began in Portage over a year ago.

The Hub Table group