The Ridge Meadows Early Childhood Development Committee was formed in the summer of 2003, in response to the provincial Children’s First initiative. The committee was a subcommittee of the Community Network. Committee members included funders and local providers of health, education and social services for children aged 0-6 and their families. 

The Ridge Meadows Middle Childhood Matters Standing Committee was formed in the summer of 2008, in response to the United Way of the Lower Mainland’s request to MRPMK Community Network to participate as part of 7 other communities that plan for and support the needs of children and youth ages 6 to 12. Committee members included funders and local providers of health, education and social services for children aged 6-12 and their families. 

Historically both committee’s activities have focused on building local capacity to respond to the needs of children and families. Over 50 plus different projects have been undertaken through the work of the committee. These include projects to raise community and service provider awareness; reach out to marginalized families, research community needs and assets, create sustainability for the tables, provide training for parents and professionals, and create many different print and online resources for families. While conducting this work the committees created a structure for ongoing community based planning.