Children's ministry funding cuts may prove short-sighted and harmful
By Hillel Goelman and Mari Pighini, Vancouver SunOctober 28, 2009
The Ministry for Children and Family Development has decided to change the way that early intervention programs for vulnerable children will be delivered in the province and families, children and the staff in these programs will be worse off.
The province is eliminating the positions of provincial adviser in the Infant Development Program of B.C., the Aboriginal Infant Development Program of B.C., and the Supported Child Development Program of B.C. The ministry claims that by doing so they will eliminate "administrative costs" and dedicate more resources to "front line workers." This narrow view demonstrates that these provincial officials do not really understand the essential role that the provincial advisers play in ensuring the quality of early intervention services.
The provincial advisers are not administrators. The advisers rely, instead, on the administrative support of their local umbrella organizations. The provincial advisers are educators, experts, resource people and, to put it simply, leaders. They provide the direction for their programs and then organize the resources to move in that direction. Here are some examples of what these advisers do, and that will cease to exist after the cuts:
- They created the Infant Development/Supported Child Care Certificate and Diploma Program based at the University of British Columbia.
- They are full partners in the Annual Assessment Workshop held in conjunction with other community, educational and academic groups. This workshop brings together early intervention professionals from different fields, parents, government officials, physicians and researchers to discuss new and emerging ways of evaluating children's developmental progress.
- This work also strengthens and supports the parents and families of young vulnerable children by increasing their access to information, knowledge and resources.
- They are community-based collaborators in action-based research projects conducted in partnership with academics from universities, hospitals, schools, preschools and clinics. They contribute their knowledge and expertise which in turn strengthens the work of the academic researchers.
- They develop and locate and bring into B.C. new and innovative approaches to early intervention.
- They are involved in a vast network of early child development and early intervention tables in B.C. and they are responsible for the website and communications with all local programs across the province. These initiatives ensure that updated and consistent information, knowledge, research and resources are accessible to staff, agencies, parents and students.
- The provincial adviser Dana Brynelsen has received international recognition for her over 30 years of work in the field of early intervention. Perhaps her most distinctive honour was being given an honorary doctorate from the University of B.C. for accomplishments and contributions. In granting this unique honour, UBC clearly recognized the vital role played by provincial advisors in early intervention in B.C.
These cuts demonstrate a lack of knowledge of these programs and a lack of respect for the professional staff of the office of the provincial adviser, to the regional advisers, the IDP consultants across the province and, most tragically, to the parents and children served by these three programs in B.C.
We applaud the government's plan to implement full-day kindergarten to support early child development. At the same time, we urge the provincial government to keep in line with its main goal to reduce children's vulnerability levels. The cuts should be reversed and the offices of the provincial advisers should be restored.
Hillel Goelman and Mari Pighiniare in the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program at the University of British Columbia.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Children+ministry+funding+cuts+prove+short+sighted+harmful/2153757/story.html
NOTE from Authors: Advisors (not 'er') - printing typo!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 28, Day of Action - MOMS
MOMS needs you!
Support our provincial day of protest: Oct. 28
In 2005, BC Premier Gordon Campbell promised to build the best system of supports for children with special
needs in Canada. Despite huge provincial surpluses, he failed to fix major gaps and waitlists. Now he’s cutting
services.
So we’re asking moms and dads to stand up and remind the Premier of his promises to BC’s children.
Join our provincial day of action on Wednesday October 28.
WHY:
Eliminating early intensive intervention programs.
Denying therapy to children who can’t pay thousands of dollars each year out of pocket.
Eliminating staff who deliver Infant Development, Aboriginal IDP and Supported Child Care services.
$32 million cuts to provincial staff who manage & deliver kids’ programs; $3.6 million cuts to front-line
services; cuts to children in care, childcare, FASD prevention, even Special Olympics.
No assessment of risks and impacts of these cuts and no consultation with families.
Denial of special education in public schools - forcing families to pay privately.
Despite promised changes, youths with special needs still denied vital supports on the basis of IQ.
We CAN afford better: The Premier’s 2009 budget includes $14 billion for new capital projects. Millions are
still being wasted on endless restructuring. Alberta still funds up to $60,000 in therapy for all children under
18 despite a larger deficit than BC’s. British Columbians don’t want the budget balanced on the backs of
vulnerable children. These foolish cuts will destroy lives and cost far more in the long run.
THE ACTION:
What: Small groups gather at high-traffic locations throughout the province with signs and banners & later
deliver hundreds of balloons to MLA offices representing the fragile young lives hurt by broken promises.
When: 7:30 – 8:30 am (morning rush hour) on Wednesday Oct. 28 (or as specified by local groups)
Where: Vancouver, North Van, Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna and other communities – anywhere that a local
group of families wants to join us & do their own thing).
Who: This is a family-led initiative, but anyone is welcome to join in support
No-Nos: (No traffic disruption, no kids near traffic, no disorderly conduct, keep it non-partisan, law abiding,
respectful & focussed on children’s issues vs. things like Olympics or HST. Safety first, please!)
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
Join the groups already planned for North Van, Vancouver, Richmond, Victoria, Kelowna & Kamloops
Organise or participate in a simultaneous action in another community
If you can participate, please e-mail Cyndi Gerlach ASAP at momsonthemove@telus.net. Please invite other
families, friends, neighbours, concerned citizens, professionals and service providers to join in!
Thank you!
Militant Moms on the Move
momsonthemove@telus.net
http://momsnetwork.ca/
Everything you need to participate or check out MOMs actions around the province on October 28. The more groups and people who join us, the stronger message we send to Victoria, so please contact us at MomsOnTheMove@telus.net if you wish to add another location or join one listed below!
If you can't make it in person, you can still participate by emailing a letter to Premier Campbell urging him to honour his promises to BC's children. Or call your MLA on Wednesday to express your support
http://momsnetwork.ca/
Support our provincial day of protest: Oct. 28
In 2005, BC Premier Gordon Campbell promised to build the best system of supports for children with special
needs in Canada. Despite huge provincial surpluses, he failed to fix major gaps and waitlists. Now he’s cutting
services.
So we’re asking moms and dads to stand up and remind the Premier of his promises to BC’s children.
Join our provincial day of action on Wednesday October 28.
WHY:
Eliminating early intensive intervention programs.
Denying therapy to children who can’t pay thousands of dollars each year out of pocket.
Eliminating staff who deliver Infant Development, Aboriginal IDP and Supported Child Care services.
$32 million cuts to provincial staff who manage & deliver kids’ programs; $3.6 million cuts to front-line
services; cuts to children in care, childcare, FASD prevention, even Special Olympics.
No assessment of risks and impacts of these cuts and no consultation with families.
Denial of special education in public schools - forcing families to pay privately.
Despite promised changes, youths with special needs still denied vital supports on the basis of IQ.
We CAN afford better: The Premier’s 2009 budget includes $14 billion for new capital projects. Millions are
still being wasted on endless restructuring. Alberta still funds up to $60,000 in therapy for all children under
18 despite a larger deficit than BC’s. British Columbians don’t want the budget balanced on the backs of
vulnerable children. These foolish cuts will destroy lives and cost far more in the long run.
THE ACTION:
What: Small groups gather at high-traffic locations throughout the province with signs and banners & later
deliver hundreds of balloons to MLA offices representing the fragile young lives hurt by broken promises.
When: 7:30 – 8:30 am (morning rush hour) on Wednesday Oct. 28 (or as specified by local groups)
Where: Vancouver, North Van, Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna and other communities – anywhere that a local
group of families wants to join us & do their own thing).
Who: This is a family-led initiative, but anyone is welcome to join in support
No-Nos: (No traffic disruption, no kids near traffic, no disorderly conduct, keep it non-partisan, law abiding,
respectful & focussed on children’s issues vs. things like Olympics or HST. Safety first, please!)
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
Join the groups already planned for North Van, Vancouver, Richmond, Victoria, Kelowna & Kamloops
Organise or participate in a simultaneous action in another community
If you can participate, please e-mail Cyndi Gerlach ASAP at momsonthemove@telus.net. Please invite other
families, friends, neighbours, concerned citizens, professionals and service providers to join in!
Thank you!
Militant Moms on the Move
momsonthemove@telus.net
http://momsnetwork.ca/
Everything you need to participate or check out MOMs actions around the province on October 28. The more groups and people who join us, the stronger message we send to Victoria, so please contact us at MomsOnTheMove@telus.net if you wish to add another location or join one listed below!
If you can't make it in person, you can still participate by emailing a letter to Premier Campbell urging him to honour his promises to BC's children. Or call your MLA on Wednesday to express your support
http://momsnetwork.ca/
TheTyee:In BC, Suffer the Children-Militant MOMS
In BC, Suffer the Children
Premier Campbell's forgotten promise to BC's youngsters with special needs.
By Militant Moms on the Move, 16 Oct 2009, TheTyee.ca
In his government's 2006-2009 Strategic Plan, Premier Gordon Campbell outlined five great goals for his Golden Decade. Goal #3 was to "Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk, and seniors."
Three years later, Campbell and his children's minister, Mary Polak, seem to have entirely forgotten that promise. They've failed to improve supports for children with special needs. Existing systems are being cut, with no effort to resolve chronic service gaps.
Chopping away
Intensive intervention programs for autism have been axed, despite overwhelming need and hard evidence that these programs work well. The ministry's own experts advise that the alternative system of uniform subsidies is not an effective model for many children. It also creates two-tiered access, since only very wealthy families can afford to top up subsidies to get required therapies.
Provincial staff who provide direct services, including oversight, coordination, training and standards for community Infant Development Programs and Aboriginal IDPs are being axed. So is the provincial Supported Child Care office, which was recently created to resolve problems due to a lack of oversight, coordination and consistency in local programs. Staff were given a month's notice, which won't permit the transfer of roles, protocols and resources.
Polak has also cut budgets for child protection and childcare. Even the Special Olympics and a program that sought to reduce the number of children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder were cut.
There's more. Polak has ordered $32 million in cuts to ministry staff who manage and deliver critical child and family programs, with no risk assessment or public discussion about expected impacts. Front-line agencies that deliver children's programs were ordered to cut a further $3.6 million.
Savings from these cuts are not going to expand services to children currently waitlisted or denied urgently-needed therapies (e.g. children with Down Syndrome). Young adults are still denied supports on the basis of IQ, contrary to policy changes promised a year ago. Thousands of children will continue to be denied urgently needed services or waitlisted. The ministry has failed to document the extent of child and youth waitlists and service gaps or to demonstrate any progress in resolving these.
Polak's ministry has now spent over a year restructuring services for children with special needs -- again! -- with no effort to consult families, who are the primary partners in delivering most children's supports.
We can afford to do better
Premier Campbell has committed $14 billion to new capital spending in his 2010 budget at the same time that Minister Polak is claiming there is no choice but to cut vital children's programs.
And Premier Campbell failed to strengthen supports for children with special needs as promised, despite record budget surpluses in recent years. The children's ministry continues to waste millions in scarce tax dollars on endless restructuring. And Campbell still plans to spend $20 million on bricks and mortar to help construct a new autism building in Vancouver, after B.C. families overwhelmingly stressed in a survey last year that maintaining and enhancing services was by far the top priority.
As parents, we think most British Columbians would agree that British Columbia -- the best place on earth -- does not need to balance its budget on the backs of vulnerable children. These foolish cuts will destroy lives and cost us far more than they save in the long run.
Signed:
Dawn Steele, Vancouver
Cyndi Gerlach, North Vancouver
Catherine Clark-Turnquist, Victoria
Chris McIntosh, Victoria
Samantha Warden, Kamloops
Betty-Ann Garreck, Kamloops
Lisa Watson, Kelowna
Karen Davis, Fraser Valley Autism Society
Gerald Dewan, Burnaby
Carol Stinson, Burnaby
Pam Collins, Richmond
Si Stainton, Delta
Michelle O'Neill, Victoria
Cher Sherwood, Victoria
Militant Moms on the Move
Premier Campbell's forgotten promise to BC's youngsters with special needs.
By Militant Moms on the Move, 16 Oct 2009, TheTyee.ca
In his government's 2006-2009 Strategic Plan, Premier Gordon Campbell outlined five great goals for his Golden Decade. Goal #3 was to "Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk, and seniors."
Three years later, Campbell and his children's minister, Mary Polak, seem to have entirely forgotten that promise. They've failed to improve supports for children with special needs. Existing systems are being cut, with no effort to resolve chronic service gaps.
Chopping away
Intensive intervention programs for autism have been axed, despite overwhelming need and hard evidence that these programs work well. The ministry's own experts advise that the alternative system of uniform subsidies is not an effective model for many children. It also creates two-tiered access, since only very wealthy families can afford to top up subsidies to get required therapies.
Provincial staff who provide direct services, including oversight, coordination, training and standards for community Infant Development Programs and Aboriginal IDPs are being axed. So is the provincial Supported Child Care office, which was recently created to resolve problems due to a lack of oversight, coordination and consistency in local programs. Staff were given a month's notice, which won't permit the transfer of roles, protocols and resources.
Polak has also cut budgets for child protection and childcare. Even the Special Olympics and a program that sought to reduce the number of children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder were cut.
There's more. Polak has ordered $32 million in cuts to ministry staff who manage and deliver critical child and family programs, with no risk assessment or public discussion about expected impacts. Front-line agencies that deliver children's programs were ordered to cut a further $3.6 million.
Savings from these cuts are not going to expand services to children currently waitlisted or denied urgently-needed therapies (e.g. children with Down Syndrome). Young adults are still denied supports on the basis of IQ, contrary to policy changes promised a year ago. Thousands of children will continue to be denied urgently needed services or waitlisted. The ministry has failed to document the extent of child and youth waitlists and service gaps or to demonstrate any progress in resolving these.
Polak's ministry has now spent over a year restructuring services for children with special needs -- again! -- with no effort to consult families, who are the primary partners in delivering most children's supports.
We can afford to do better
Premier Campbell has committed $14 billion to new capital spending in his 2010 budget at the same time that Minister Polak is claiming there is no choice but to cut vital children's programs.
And Premier Campbell failed to strengthen supports for children with special needs as promised, despite record budget surpluses in recent years. The children's ministry continues to waste millions in scarce tax dollars on endless restructuring. And Campbell still plans to spend $20 million on bricks and mortar to help construct a new autism building in Vancouver, after B.C. families overwhelmingly stressed in a survey last year that maintaining and enhancing services was by far the top priority.
As parents, we think most British Columbians would agree that British Columbia -- the best place on earth -- does not need to balance its budget on the backs of vulnerable children. These foolish cuts will destroy lives and cost us far more than they save in the long run.
Signed:
Dawn Steele, Vancouver
Cyndi Gerlach, North Vancouver
Catherine Clark-Turnquist, Victoria
Chris McIntosh, Victoria
Samantha Warden, Kamloops
Betty-Ann Garreck, Kamloops
Lisa Watson, Kelowna
Karen Davis, Fraser Valley Autism Society
Gerald Dewan, Burnaby
Carol Stinson, Burnaby
Pam Collins, Richmond
Si Stainton, Delta
Michelle O'Neill, Victoria
Cher Sherwood, Victoria
Militant Moms on the Move
Peac Arch - D. Young- Article: Turn to Community...(Oct 22 09)
Published: October 22, 2009 4:00 PM
Updated: October 22, 2009 4:08 PM
Earlier this month, the provincial government gave notice it will no longer fund a number of provincial early-childhood-development offices.
This includes the Vancouver-based Provincial Infant Development Office, which has a remarkable 35-year history of achievement in early childhood development.
I understand the plan is to consolidate these province-wide activities within the Ministry of Children and Families, and to redirect any savings to direct service. It is clear the province is facing critical economic challenges and government has a responsibility to ensure it spends its finite resources in ways that best meets the needs of the community.
However, before it makes a shift as monumental as this, it needs to ask the following questions:
- What are the outcomes we are trying to achieve for children and families?
- What evidence do we have the planned change will improve these outcomes?
- What are the potential, unintended consequences of this change?
Until government is both comfortable and confident it has adequately answered these questions, I strongly caution against moving forward with this change.
The Infant Development Program has a proven track record of service in the province. It is an excellent example of a successful partnership between government and the not-for-profit sector in the delivery of community-based services.
Government continues to rely on the “public sector” to develop and deliver a range of programs and services in the community.
The reasons for this are numerous. First and foremost is that the non-government sector is able to develop and deliver services in a fashion that is more nimble, agile, responsive, flexible and focused.
This is not a criticism of government but rather an observation that has been researched and reported over the years.
The provincial IDP office has been able to develop a focus unlikely to have been sustained within a bureaucracy that has undergone one reorganization after another. It has been able to recruit and retain qualified staff able who work effectively with non-governmental personnel employed by agencies across this province.
Together, they deliver services that are models for Canada. This includes the infant development program delivered locally by Peace Arch Community Services, and programs of other community agencies throughout the province.
We have successfully achieved government-wide goals regarding the support and inclusion of all children in the community.
Will this direction improve the remarkable progress of this provincial office?
I have no evidence to suggest it will. Rather, this shift poses significant risk.
It is extremely difficult for any bureaucracy to sustain the focus of smaller programs within the challenges, conflicts and competing priorities that exist within any large organization.
An internal office will have to withstand overwhelming forces that will seek to change the scope of the program, the standards by which it is delivered, and its very mandate.
The nature of bureaucracy presents significant challenges to initiating and sustaining programs such as these. This is why government often reaches outside of itself to accomplish this type of public good.
This government has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to early childhood development.
Rather than closing this office, it would be prudent to retain the funding until a thorough analysis of the current structure – as well as alternatives – is completed.
This analysis should include participation from the community and focus on how best to provide provincial leadership required to deliver community-based supports to children and their families.
Perhaps there is a way to provide this program in a more effective and less costly manner. Let’s find it together.
A thoughtful, frank and transparent analysis of how best to move forward takes time, energy and commitment. Our children deserve nothing less.
David Young is executive director at Peace Arch Community Services.
Updated: October 22, 2009 4:08 PM
Earlier this month, the provincial government gave notice it will no longer fund a number of provincial early-childhood-development offices.
This includes the Vancouver-based Provincial Infant Development Office, which has a remarkable 35-year history of achievement in early childhood development.
I understand the plan is to consolidate these province-wide activities within the Ministry of Children and Families, and to redirect any savings to direct service. It is clear the province is facing critical economic challenges and government has a responsibility to ensure it spends its finite resources in ways that best meets the needs of the community.
However, before it makes a shift as monumental as this, it needs to ask the following questions:
- What are the outcomes we are trying to achieve for children and families?
- What evidence do we have the planned change will improve these outcomes?
- What are the potential, unintended consequences of this change?
Until government is both comfortable and confident it has adequately answered these questions, I strongly caution against moving forward with this change.
The Infant Development Program has a proven track record of service in the province. It is an excellent example of a successful partnership between government and the not-for-profit sector in the delivery of community-based services.
Government continues to rely on the “public sector” to develop and deliver a range of programs and services in the community.
The reasons for this are numerous. First and foremost is that the non-government sector is able to develop and deliver services in a fashion that is more nimble, agile, responsive, flexible and focused.
This is not a criticism of government but rather an observation that has been researched and reported over the years.
The provincial IDP office has been able to develop a focus unlikely to have been sustained within a bureaucracy that has undergone one reorganization after another. It has been able to recruit and retain qualified staff able who work effectively with non-governmental personnel employed by agencies across this province.
Together, they deliver services that are models for Canada. This includes the infant development program delivered locally by Peace Arch Community Services, and programs of other community agencies throughout the province.
We have successfully achieved government-wide goals regarding the support and inclusion of all children in the community.
Will this direction improve the remarkable progress of this provincial office?
I have no evidence to suggest it will. Rather, this shift poses significant risk.
It is extremely difficult for any bureaucracy to sustain the focus of smaller programs within the challenges, conflicts and competing priorities that exist within any large organization.
An internal office will have to withstand overwhelming forces that will seek to change the scope of the program, the standards by which it is delivered, and its very mandate.
The nature of bureaucracy presents significant challenges to initiating and sustaining programs such as these. This is why government often reaches outside of itself to accomplish this type of public good.
This government has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to early childhood development.
Rather than closing this office, it would be prudent to retain the funding until a thorough analysis of the current structure – as well as alternatives – is completed.
This analysis should include participation from the community and focus on how best to provide provincial leadership required to deliver community-based supports to children and their families.
Perhaps there is a way to provide this program in a more effective and less costly manner. Let’s find it together.
A thoughtful, frank and transparent analysis of how best to move forward takes time, energy and commitment. Our children deserve nothing less.
David Young is executive director at Peace Arch Community Services.
E. Cox- Letter to MLA
Honorable Murray Coell
MLA Saanich – Gulf Islands October 22, 2009
2412F Beacon Ave.
Sidney, B.C.
Elizabeth Cox
10946 Madrona Drive,
Sidney, B.C. V8L 5P2
Dear Honorable Minister Coell,
I am writing regarding the cuts made to the Provincial Offices of Infant Development and Supported Child Development and possibly Aboriginal Infant Development. I am a community member, who has worked for over 30 years in this field as a past IDP consultant, as Chair of the Infant Development/Supported Child Development Consortium and as a Project Manager for many provincial projects undertaken with the three programs of Infant Development, Supported Child Development and Aboriginal Infant Development.
I am deeply disturbed and concerned with the Ministry of Children and Family’s decision. It seems to be a short sighted, short- term solution resulting in long term losses and effects on children with special needs and their families. Unfortunately, this decision appears to lack information regarding the role and duties of the Provincial Advisors, whose positions are viewed as being primarily administrative. Naturally, any provincial position has some administrative work, however, an adequate review of their roles would demonstrate they have minimal administrative duties and serve an essential function of directly linking with families by phone and through the provincial websites, providing advice, information and support to families, and linking them to services and resources that will support them across the province. In addition, they offer direct support to staff and agencies including community visits, phone support, and mentorship. They also support agencies, communities and provincial and regional MCFD staff in the initiation and delivery of services. This central coordination and lens is critical to a cohesive and integrated approach and service.
The Infant Development Program (IDP) has been working in collaboration with the Ministry since 1975. Particularly Dana Brynelsen, who for 34 years formed and developed the high standards and program of excellence that the Infant Development Program has become; it is internationally known and respected. It uses a successful and effective model of collaboration with parents, professionals and government that has developed a solid program that efficiently serves the families and the children with disabilities. Due to the highly effective model and excellence of the infant programs, the sister programs of Aboriginal Infant Development and Supported Child Development have been founded on a similar model. They too developed provincial manuals with guidelines and policy for staff, which reflect the unique aspects of their fields. Sustainability and the implementation of provincially standardized policy and care provide families and the staff with provincial consistency and local flexibility based on the individual needs of communities. I believe such consistency and professional guidance will be an unlikely outcome for families with a regional model.
The Provincial Advisors have a wealth of expertise in the field, and in the needs of the families and the staff who serve them. I am struggling to understand why this provincial model that is well researched, evidence -based, extremely effective, collaborative and operates on small budgets is being cut for a system that is not yet proven, nor has the developed strategies required to continue operation. The consultants, who provide service to families, look to Provincial Advisors for guidance and direction on how to support the complicated and sensitive needs of the families and children they serve. This model that shares their expertise and experience will now be lost, directly impacting the families and the staff who serve them.
The following points are my understanding to date of the facts around this decision. I emphasize “understanding” as no clear statement or plan has been put forward other than the intention for potential future planning:
The Provincial Offices have received limited written information nearly one month from the end of September 2009 when they were informed their contracts expired September 30th. They have been given small extensions to complete the work of their offices.
No impact analysis has been done by the Ministry regarding their decision
No transition plan is in place for program staff or families prior to the decision being made
Three social workers, currently employed by the Ministry, have “volunteered” to take on the role of setting up a new model for the transition.
The ministry will work in consultation with the outgoing Provincial Advisors, and Provincial Steering Committees of each program, to develop transition plans that ensure continued coordination of these services.
With the help of Provincial Steering Committees and existing regional planning tables the ministry will be doing an analysis over the next few months to determine options around professional development and training for community agency staff who work directly with children and families.
Unfortunately, all of these plans are occurring after the fact, and potentially after the contracts have expired. Of further concern is the limited timeframe of a few weeks and months to determine a transition plan. This does not allow enough time to develop effective and thoughtful plans in my estimation. In addition, the staff are expected to volunteer their time to assist in developing a transition plan. I am surprised that the Ministry chose a non- inclusive approach to their decision versus one of collaboration. It is disturbing to observe the lack of consideration for the expert knowledge that exists in the Provincial Advisors and the lack of respect demonstrated by limited or no consultation, coordination or collaboration prior to the completion of the contracts, to develop a solid plan for regionalizing services.
It is shocking that there is no specific plan in place or specific people identified to carry on the vast number of duties within these offices. Having three ministry staff take on duties that are added to their current positions creates a lack of stability and longevity for any comprehensive follow through of the process. The three ministry workers could shift positions within the ministry or not be able to manage the amount of work, thus creating a lack of integrated communication and linkage. With no thoughtful or comprehensive transition plan, families and consultants are now experiencing stress, confusion and fear. How can this be supportive or helpful to those who require stability and cohesive services?
From my experience at many tables with ministry representatives and the three provincial programs, I can not fathom how currently employed ministry staff will be able to understand and know how to best support the field given they have no or limited experience in child development, the field of disability or the training needs of our staff. Even with my wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, I cannot adequately support the staff and families without the guidance and direction of the Provincial Advisors. They connect with the families in their programs, their regional advisors, the staff and the agencies that employ them and build relationships with them. They understand the in-depth needs of the various communities and families to best support the families and staff in those areas. Connecting families, staff and community with the provincial picture, services and resources is a vital role of the Provincial Advisors. All past reviews of the IDP program have indicated the need for further strengthening not dissolution.
The provincial offices provide an incredibly strong link to all of the regions that without this coordination would act independently of each other and lose the strong linkages and connections that have been formed over the last 20 years. In addition, the Provincial Advisors of the three programs have worked very hard over the last several years to work collaboratively on many joint projects that benefit all the mutual families the programs serve, and the staff who support them. The collaborative model is proven and chosen by the group because the families and staff gain more together than separately. Everyone benefits from working together and having a centrally coordinated, unified purpose that represents the connection between families, services and staff.
Overall, a decentralized approach makes no more sense than the government removing the provincial decisions and direction and giving the regions and municipalities more control in operations and decisions. We already are aware of the current discrepancies our different regions and municipalities experience. Why make a decision that will increase these issues and subject the families, who are dealing with vulnerable children with complex needs, with further stress and complications?
I hope that this Ministry will take the time to review the information and the impact of the work being done so effectively by the Provincial offices. It is not a broken system that needs to be fixed. It is thriving and supporting children with disabilities and their families and this needs to be considered. For the sake of these families around the province, I hope this decision can be reviewed and evaluated more fully to reconsider the decision to cut the Provincial offices of Infant Development and Supported Child Development.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Regards,
Elizabeth Cox, Consultant and Project Manager
MLA Saanich – Gulf Islands October 22, 2009
2412F Beacon Ave.
Sidney, B.C.
Elizabeth Cox
10946 Madrona Drive,
Sidney, B.C. V8L 5P2
Dear Honorable Minister Coell,
I am writing regarding the cuts made to the Provincial Offices of Infant Development and Supported Child Development and possibly Aboriginal Infant Development. I am a community member, who has worked for over 30 years in this field as a past IDP consultant, as Chair of the Infant Development/Supported Child Development Consortium and as a Project Manager for many provincial projects undertaken with the three programs of Infant Development, Supported Child Development and Aboriginal Infant Development.
I am deeply disturbed and concerned with the Ministry of Children and Family’s decision. It seems to be a short sighted, short- term solution resulting in long term losses and effects on children with special needs and their families. Unfortunately, this decision appears to lack information regarding the role and duties of the Provincial Advisors, whose positions are viewed as being primarily administrative. Naturally, any provincial position has some administrative work, however, an adequate review of their roles would demonstrate they have minimal administrative duties and serve an essential function of directly linking with families by phone and through the provincial websites, providing advice, information and support to families, and linking them to services and resources that will support them across the province. In addition, they offer direct support to staff and agencies including community visits, phone support, and mentorship. They also support agencies, communities and provincial and regional MCFD staff in the initiation and delivery of services. This central coordination and lens is critical to a cohesive and integrated approach and service.
The Infant Development Program (IDP) has been working in collaboration with the Ministry since 1975. Particularly Dana Brynelsen, who for 34 years formed and developed the high standards and program of excellence that the Infant Development Program has become; it is internationally known and respected. It uses a successful and effective model of collaboration with parents, professionals and government that has developed a solid program that efficiently serves the families and the children with disabilities. Due to the highly effective model and excellence of the infant programs, the sister programs of Aboriginal Infant Development and Supported Child Development have been founded on a similar model. They too developed provincial manuals with guidelines and policy for staff, which reflect the unique aspects of their fields. Sustainability and the implementation of provincially standardized policy and care provide families and the staff with provincial consistency and local flexibility based on the individual needs of communities. I believe such consistency and professional guidance will be an unlikely outcome for families with a regional model.
The Provincial Advisors have a wealth of expertise in the field, and in the needs of the families and the staff who serve them. I am struggling to understand why this provincial model that is well researched, evidence -based, extremely effective, collaborative and operates on small budgets is being cut for a system that is not yet proven, nor has the developed strategies required to continue operation. The consultants, who provide service to families, look to Provincial Advisors for guidance and direction on how to support the complicated and sensitive needs of the families and children they serve. This model that shares their expertise and experience will now be lost, directly impacting the families and the staff who serve them.
The following points are my understanding to date of the facts around this decision. I emphasize “understanding” as no clear statement or plan has been put forward other than the intention for potential future planning:
The Provincial Offices have received limited written information nearly one month from the end of September 2009 when they were informed their contracts expired September 30th. They have been given small extensions to complete the work of their offices.
No impact analysis has been done by the Ministry regarding their decision
No transition plan is in place for program staff or families prior to the decision being made
Three social workers, currently employed by the Ministry, have “volunteered” to take on the role of setting up a new model for the transition.
The ministry will work in consultation with the outgoing Provincial Advisors, and Provincial Steering Committees of each program, to develop transition plans that ensure continued coordination of these services.
With the help of Provincial Steering Committees and existing regional planning tables the ministry will be doing an analysis over the next few months to determine options around professional development and training for community agency staff who work directly with children and families.
Unfortunately, all of these plans are occurring after the fact, and potentially after the contracts have expired. Of further concern is the limited timeframe of a few weeks and months to determine a transition plan. This does not allow enough time to develop effective and thoughtful plans in my estimation. In addition, the staff are expected to volunteer their time to assist in developing a transition plan. I am surprised that the Ministry chose a non- inclusive approach to their decision versus one of collaboration. It is disturbing to observe the lack of consideration for the expert knowledge that exists in the Provincial Advisors and the lack of respect demonstrated by limited or no consultation, coordination or collaboration prior to the completion of the contracts, to develop a solid plan for regionalizing services.
It is shocking that there is no specific plan in place or specific people identified to carry on the vast number of duties within these offices. Having three ministry staff take on duties that are added to their current positions creates a lack of stability and longevity for any comprehensive follow through of the process. The three ministry workers could shift positions within the ministry or not be able to manage the amount of work, thus creating a lack of integrated communication and linkage. With no thoughtful or comprehensive transition plan, families and consultants are now experiencing stress, confusion and fear. How can this be supportive or helpful to those who require stability and cohesive services?
From my experience at many tables with ministry representatives and the three provincial programs, I can not fathom how currently employed ministry staff will be able to understand and know how to best support the field given they have no or limited experience in child development, the field of disability or the training needs of our staff. Even with my wealth of knowledge and experience in the field, I cannot adequately support the staff and families without the guidance and direction of the Provincial Advisors. They connect with the families in their programs, their regional advisors, the staff and the agencies that employ them and build relationships with them. They understand the in-depth needs of the various communities and families to best support the families and staff in those areas. Connecting families, staff and community with the provincial picture, services and resources is a vital role of the Provincial Advisors. All past reviews of the IDP program have indicated the need for further strengthening not dissolution.
The provincial offices provide an incredibly strong link to all of the regions that without this coordination would act independently of each other and lose the strong linkages and connections that have been formed over the last 20 years. In addition, the Provincial Advisors of the three programs have worked very hard over the last several years to work collaboratively on many joint projects that benefit all the mutual families the programs serve, and the staff who support them. The collaborative model is proven and chosen by the group because the families and staff gain more together than separately. Everyone benefits from working together and having a centrally coordinated, unified purpose that represents the connection between families, services and staff.
Overall, a decentralized approach makes no more sense than the government removing the provincial decisions and direction and giving the regions and municipalities more control in operations and decisions. We already are aware of the current discrepancies our different regions and municipalities experience. Why make a decision that will increase these issues and subject the families, who are dealing with vulnerable children with complex needs, with further stress and complications?
I hope that this Ministry will take the time to review the information and the impact of the work being done so effectively by the Provincial offices. It is not a broken system that needs to be fixed. It is thriving and supporting children with disabilities and their families and this needs to be considered. For the sake of these families around the province, I hope this decision can be reviewed and evaluated more fully to reconsider the decision to cut the Provincial offices of Infant Development and Supported Child Development.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Regards,
Elizabeth Cox, Consultant and Project Manager
Dr Susan Harris_Letter to Premier Campbell
H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
212-2177 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604.822.7392
Fax: 604.822.1870
October 25, 2009
The Honourable Mary Polak
Minister, Children & Family Development
Box 9041
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Campbell:
I am writing to you as one of many concerned advocates for the needs of infants and young children in the province of BC. The proposed closure of the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program (IDP) of BC is a serious mistake that will have far-reaching and dire consequences for the families and infants being served by this highly lauded early intervention program that has served as a model throughout North America for more than 30 years.
I speak both from my long experience as a pediatric physiotherapist as well as from my perspective as a researcher who has studied and written extensively about the positive benefits of early intervention for infants at risk and their families.
In May 2004, Dana Brynelsen, Provincial Advisor of the IDP, received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for her many and sustained contributions to enhancing the lives of infants with special needs and their families during her long tenure in that office. In her acceptance speech for that prestigious honour, Dr. Brynelsen remarked: “The Infant Development Program of BC grew out of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. When Pamela Vickers was born in l969 there were no early intervention services for her or her family. Conventional professional advice at that time was to institutionalize infants with intellectual disability. Her mother started the first Infant Development Program in Canada and to date these programs in BC have served nearly 50,000 families. Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.”
During her 35 years as the IDP Provincial Advisor, Dr. Brynelsen has worked tirelessly to enhance the potential of lives of thousands of BC infants and their families. Having worked directly with a number of these families and seen their children flourish as a result of this family-centered early intervention approach, I believe that the proposed closure of the provincial IDP office will have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of future infants at risk and that this decision must be reversed as soon as possible.
As Dana Brynelsen eloquently stated in her UBC acceptance speech: “Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.” It is because of Dr. Brynelsen’s leadership at the helm of the provincial office that IDP has become an exemplary model of early intervention that is highly regarded and recognized in both Canada and the US.
Please remember that “anything is possible” – and that includes reinstating the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program. I implore you to reconsider this decision for the continued and future benefit of the thousands of British Columbian children and families who will then be able to continue to flourish and reach their full potentials.
Sincerely,
Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT, FCAHS
Professor Emerita, Department of Physical Therapy &
Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
212-2177 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604.822.7392
Fax: 604.822.1870
October 25, 2009
The Honourable Mary Polak
Minister, Children & Family Development
Box 9041
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Campbell:
I am writing to you as one of many concerned advocates for the needs of infants and young children in the province of BC. The proposed closure of the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program (IDP) of BC is a serious mistake that will have far-reaching and dire consequences for the families and infants being served by this highly lauded early intervention program that has served as a model throughout North America for more than 30 years.
I speak both from my long experience as a pediatric physiotherapist as well as from my perspective as a researcher who has studied and written extensively about the positive benefits of early intervention for infants at risk and their families.
In May 2004, Dana Brynelsen, Provincial Advisor of the IDP, received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for her many and sustained contributions to enhancing the lives of infants with special needs and their families during her long tenure in that office. In her acceptance speech for that prestigious honour, Dr. Brynelsen remarked: “The Infant Development Program of BC grew out of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. When Pamela Vickers was born in l969 there were no early intervention services for her or her family. Conventional professional advice at that time was to institutionalize infants with intellectual disability. Her mother started the first Infant Development Program in Canada and to date these programs in BC have served nearly 50,000 families. Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.”
During her 35 years as the IDP Provincial Advisor, Dr. Brynelsen has worked tirelessly to enhance the potential of lives of thousands of BC infants and their families. Having worked directly with a number of these families and seen their children flourish as a result of this family-centered early intervention approach, I believe that the proposed closure of the provincial IDP office will have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of future infants at risk and that this decision must be reversed as soon as possible.
As Dana Brynelsen eloquently stated in her UBC acceptance speech: “Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.” It is because of Dr. Brynelsen’s leadership at the helm of the provincial office that IDP has become an exemplary model of early intervention that is highly regarded and recognized in both Canada and the US.
Please remember that “anything is possible” – and that includes reinstating the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program. I implore you to reconsider this decision for the continued and future benefit of the thousands of British Columbian children and families who will then be able to continue to flourish and reach their full potentials.
Sincerely,
Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT, FCAHS
Professor Emerita, Department of Physical Therapy &
Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics
Dr Susan Harris_Letter to Hon,Minister Polak
T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
212-2177 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604.822.7392
Fax: 604.822.1870
October 25, 2009
The Honourable Mary Polak
Minister, Children & Family Development
Box 9057
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Polak:
I am writing to you as one of many concerned advocates for the needs of infants and young children in the province of BC. The proposed closure of the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program (IDP) of BC is a serious mistake that will have far-reaching and dire consequences for the families and infants being served by this highly lauded early intervention program that has served as a model throughout North America for more than 30 years.
I speak both from my long experience as a pediatric physiotherapist as well as from my perspective as a researcher who has studied and written extensively about the positive benefits of early intervention for infants at risk and their families.
In May 2004, Dana Brynelsen, Provincial Advisor of the IDP, received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for her many and sustained contributions to enhancing the lives of infants with special needs and their families during her long tenure in that office. In her acceptance speech for that prestigious honour, Dr. Brynelsen remarked: “The Infant Development Program of BC grew out of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. When Pamela Vickers was born in l969 there were no early intervention services for her or her family. Conventional professional advice at that time was to institutionalize infants with intellectual disability. Her mother started the first Infant Development Program in Canada and to date these programs in BC have served nearly 50,000 families. Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.”
During her 35 years as the IDP Provincial Advisor, Dr. Brynelsen has worked tirelessly to enhance the potential of lives of thousands of BC infants and their families. Having worked directly with a number of these families and seen their children flourish as a result of this family-centered early intervention approach, I believe that the proposed closure of the provincial IDP office will have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of future infants at risk and that this decision must be reversed as soon as possible.
As Dana Brynelsen eloquently stated in her UBC acceptance speech: “Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.” It is because of Dr. Brynelsen’s leadership at the helm of the provincial office that IDP has become an exemplary model of early intervention that is highly regarded and recognized in both Canada and the US.
Please remember that “anything is possible” – and that includes reinstating the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program. I implore you to reconsider this decision for the continued and future benefit of the thousands of British Columbian children and families who will then be able to continue to flourish and reach their full potentials.
Sincerely,
Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT, FCAHS
Professor Emerita, Department of Physical Therapy &
Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
212-2177 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604.822.7392
Fax: 604.822.1870
October 25, 2009
The Honourable Mary Polak
Minister, Children & Family Development
Box 9057
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Polak:
I am writing to you as one of many concerned advocates for the needs of infants and young children in the province of BC. The proposed closure of the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program (IDP) of BC is a serious mistake that will have far-reaching and dire consequences for the families and infants being served by this highly lauded early intervention program that has served as a model throughout North America for more than 30 years.
I speak both from my long experience as a pediatric physiotherapist as well as from my perspective as a researcher who has studied and written extensively about the positive benefits of early intervention for infants at risk and their families.
In May 2004, Dana Brynelsen, Provincial Advisor of the IDP, received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for her many and sustained contributions to enhancing the lives of infants with special needs and their families during her long tenure in that office. In her acceptance speech for that prestigious honour, Dr. Brynelsen remarked: “The Infant Development Program of BC grew out of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. When Pamela Vickers was born in l969 there were no early intervention services for her or her family. Conventional professional advice at that time was to institutionalize infants with intellectual disability. Her mother started the first Infant Development Program in Canada and to date these programs in BC have served nearly 50,000 families. Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.”
During her 35 years as the IDP Provincial Advisor, Dr. Brynelsen has worked tirelessly to enhance the potential of lives of thousands of BC infants and their families. Having worked directly with a number of these families and seen their children flourish as a result of this family-centered early intervention approach, I believe that the proposed closure of the provincial IDP office will have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of future infants at risk and that this decision must be reversed as soon as possible.
As Dana Brynelsen eloquently stated in her UBC acceptance speech: “Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.” It is because of Dr. Brynelsen’s leadership at the helm of the provincial office that IDP has become an exemplary model of early intervention that is highly regarded and recognized in both Canada and the US.
Please remember that “anything is possible” – and that includes reinstating the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program. I implore you to reconsider this decision for the continued and future benefit of the thousands of British Columbian children and families who will then be able to continue to flourish and reach their full potentials.
Sincerely,
Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT, FCAHS
Professor Emerita, Department of Physical Therapy &
Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics
Dr S Harris-Letter to Deputy Minister
T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
212-2177 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604.822.7392
Fax: 604.822.1870
October 25, 2009
Lesley Du Toit
Deputy Minister, Children & Family Development
P.O. Box 9721
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9S2
Dear Deputy Minister Du Toit:
I am writing to you as one of many concerned advocates for the needs of infants and young children in the province of BC. The proposed closure of the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program (IDP) of BC is a serious mistake that will have far-reaching and dire consequences for the families and infants being served by this highly lauded early intervention program that has served as a model throughout North America for more than 30 years.
I speak both from my long experience as a pediatric physiotherapist as well as from my perspective as a researcher who has studied and written extensively about the positive benefits of early intervention for infants at risk and their families.
In May 2004, Dana Brynelsen, Provincial Advisor of the IDP, received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for her many and sustained contributions to enhancing the lives of infants with special needs and their families during her long tenure in that office. In her acceptance speech for that prestigious honour, Dr. Brynelsen remarked: “The Infant Development Program of BC grew out of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. When Pamela Vickers was born in l969 there were no early intervention services for her or her family. Conventional professional advice at that time was to institutionalize infants with intellectual disability. Her mother started the first Infant Development Program in Canada and to date these programs in BC have served nearly 50,000 families. Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.”
During her 35 years as the IDP Provincial Advisor, Dr. Brynelsen has worked tirelessly to enhance the potential of lives of thousands of BC infants and their families. Having worked directly with a number of these families and seen their children flourish as a result of this family-centered early intervention approach, I believe that the proposed closure of the provincial IDP office will have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of future infants at risk and that this decision must be reversed as soon as possible.
As Dana Brynelsen eloquently stated in her UBC acceptance speech: “Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.” It is because of Dr. Brynelsen’s leadership at the helm of the provincial office that IDP has become an exemplary model of early intervention that is highly regarded and recognized in both Canada and the US.
Please remember that “anything is possible” – and that includes reinstating the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program. I implore you to reconsider this decision for the continued and future benefit of the thousands of British Columbian children and families who will then be able to continue to flourish and reach their full potentials.
Sincerely,
Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT, FCAHS
Professor Emerita, Department of Physical Therapy &
Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
212-2177 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone: 604.822.7392
Fax: 604.822.1870
October 25, 2009
Lesley Du Toit
Deputy Minister, Children & Family Development
P.O. Box 9721
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9S2
Dear Deputy Minister Du Toit:
I am writing to you as one of many concerned advocates for the needs of infants and young children in the province of BC. The proposed closure of the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program (IDP) of BC is a serious mistake that will have far-reaching and dire consequences for the families and infants being served by this highly lauded early intervention program that has served as a model throughout North America for more than 30 years.
I speak both from my long experience as a pediatric physiotherapist as well as from my perspective as a researcher who has studied and written extensively about the positive benefits of early intervention for infants at risk and their families.
In May 2004, Dana Brynelsen, Provincial Advisor of the IDP, received an honorary doctorate from the University of British Columbia for her many and sustained contributions to enhancing the lives of infants with special needs and their families during her long tenure in that office. In her acceptance speech for that prestigious honour, Dr. Brynelsen remarked: “The Infant Development Program of BC grew out of the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. When Pamela Vickers was born in l969 there were no early intervention services for her or her family. Conventional professional advice at that time was to institutionalize infants with intellectual disability. Her mother started the first Infant Development Program in Canada and to date these programs in BC have served nearly 50,000 families. Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.”
During her 35 years as the IDP Provincial Advisor, Dr. Brynelsen has worked tirelessly to enhance the potential of lives of thousands of BC infants and their families. Having worked directly with a number of these families and seen their children flourish as a result of this family-centered early intervention approach, I believe that the proposed closure of the provincial IDP office will have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of future infants at risk and that this decision must be reversed as soon as possible.
As Dana Brynelsen eloquently stated in her UBC acceptance speech: “Every life has the potential to create great things. Anything is possible.” It is because of Dr. Brynelsen’s leadership at the helm of the provincial office that IDP has become an exemplary model of early intervention that is highly regarded and recognized in both Canada and the US.
Please remember that “anything is possible” – and that includes reinstating the Provincial Advisor’s Office of the Infant Development Program. I implore you to reconsider this decision for the continued and future benefit of the thousands of British Columbian children and families who will then be able to continue to flourish and reach their full potentials.
Sincerely,
Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT, FCAHS
Professor Emerita, Department of Physical Therapy &
Associate Member, Department of Pediatrics
Friday, October 23, 2009
Letter from Local Advisory Committee-Richmond IDP
Premier Gordon Campbell,
Honorable Mary Polak, Minister of Children and Family Development,
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister of Children and Family Development,
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister Polak, and Deputy Minister Du Toit;
As members of the Local Advisory Committee to the Richmond Infant Development Program, we are writing to express our objection to proposed closing of the Provincial Office of the IDP. We are parents and professionals residing in Richmond who share a strong interest in the wellbeing of children in our community, and as such we support the Richmond program in reaching the goals of the Infant Development Program of BC.
In this context, we are extremely aware of the remarkable work of the Provincial Office in setting standards for early intervention in this province, developing training programs, providing professional development, and offering guidance and advice to individual programs and Infant Development Consultants.
Early intervention spans the disciplines of health care, social work and education. Since there is not yet a degree in Early Intervention available in BC, consultants come from a variety of backgrounds. Training in developmental assessment and in established methods of working with families in a home-based program is essential for high quality services to continue, as they have for the last thirty-five years. Ongoing professional development in the form of in-services and conferences have assisted programs to stay current with “best practice” in early intervention, and it must be stressed that both training and professional development can only be adequately planned and carried out under the leadership of a Provincial Advisor with training and experience in the field.
In the years since the establishment of Infant Development Programs in this province, knowledge regarding early development and methods of supporting this development has grown by leaps and bounds. The maintenance of a library of appropriate and up to date books and journals, and relationships with research bodies who share new knowledge as soon as it is available, are two of the ways that the Provincial Office keeps current, to the benefit of all programs. If an individual consultant anywhere in the province has a question or a problem related to her work, advice is only a phone call or an e-mail away.
A Policy and Procedure Manual was written early in the history of the IDP of BC, and has been revised on a regular basis. With this guidance, the programs are able to meet the standards set by the Provincial Steering Committee and the Ministry of Children and Families. It is remarkable that over the years services have been provided to 800,00 families, without serious complaints, scandals, investigations or lawsuits. Strong guidance from the Provincial Office can be given credit for this accomplishment. Certainly, there are differences between regions, and the work of the different programs would reflect this. But there is a pressing need for consistency between programs as far as the quality of the service is concerned, so that families in one region can expect as high a standard as that enjoyed by any other region.
Minister Polak has explained her decision to close the Provincial Office as removing an administrative layer in order to direct more money to families needing help. But the role of the Provincial Office was never administrative, but rather that of leadership, training, education and guidance. The amount of money to be saved, $300,000 per year, does not balance the harm that will come to IDP Programs in BC if they lose the “anchor” that they have in the Provincial Office.
The Infant Development Program of BC has been admired and imitated by early intervention programs all over the world, and we do not want to see this high quality of service disappear. This committee therefore recommends to the Ministry of Children and Family Development that the Office of the Provincial Advisor be maintained, and supported, to the benefit of children experiencing developmental delay and disability and their families.
cc Rob Howard, MLA, Richmond Centre
cc Maurina Karagianis, MCFD Critic, NDP
Honorable Mary Polak, Minister of Children and Family Development,
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister of Children and Family Development,
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister Polak, and Deputy Minister Du Toit;
As members of the Local Advisory Committee to the Richmond Infant Development Program, we are writing to express our objection to proposed closing of the Provincial Office of the IDP. We are parents and professionals residing in Richmond who share a strong interest in the wellbeing of children in our community, and as such we support the Richmond program in reaching the goals of the Infant Development Program of BC.
In this context, we are extremely aware of the remarkable work of the Provincial Office in setting standards for early intervention in this province, developing training programs, providing professional development, and offering guidance and advice to individual programs and Infant Development Consultants.
Early intervention spans the disciplines of health care, social work and education. Since there is not yet a degree in Early Intervention available in BC, consultants come from a variety of backgrounds. Training in developmental assessment and in established methods of working with families in a home-based program is essential for high quality services to continue, as they have for the last thirty-five years. Ongoing professional development in the form of in-services and conferences have assisted programs to stay current with “best practice” in early intervention, and it must be stressed that both training and professional development can only be adequately planned and carried out under the leadership of a Provincial Advisor with training and experience in the field.
In the years since the establishment of Infant Development Programs in this province, knowledge regarding early development and methods of supporting this development has grown by leaps and bounds. The maintenance of a library of appropriate and up to date books and journals, and relationships with research bodies who share new knowledge as soon as it is available, are two of the ways that the Provincial Office keeps current, to the benefit of all programs. If an individual consultant anywhere in the province has a question or a problem related to her work, advice is only a phone call or an e-mail away.
A Policy and Procedure Manual was written early in the history of the IDP of BC, and has been revised on a regular basis. With this guidance, the programs are able to meet the standards set by the Provincial Steering Committee and the Ministry of Children and Families. It is remarkable that over the years services have been provided to 800,00 families, without serious complaints, scandals, investigations or lawsuits. Strong guidance from the Provincial Office can be given credit for this accomplishment. Certainly, there are differences between regions, and the work of the different programs would reflect this. But there is a pressing need for consistency between programs as far as the quality of the service is concerned, so that families in one region can expect as high a standard as that enjoyed by any other region.
Minister Polak has explained her decision to close the Provincial Office as removing an administrative layer in order to direct more money to families needing help. But the role of the Provincial Office was never administrative, but rather that of leadership, training, education and guidance. The amount of money to be saved, $300,000 per year, does not balance the harm that will come to IDP Programs in BC if they lose the “anchor” that they have in the Provincial Office.
The Infant Development Program of BC has been admired and imitated by early intervention programs all over the world, and we do not want to see this high quality of service disappear. This committee therefore recommends to the Ministry of Children and Family Development that the Office of the Provincial Advisor be maintained, and supported, to the benefit of children experiencing developmental delay and disability and their families.
cc Rob Howard, MLA, Richmond Centre
cc Maurina Karagianis, MCFD Critic, NDP
Letter from A. Reiner-Personal
#2-6360 Lynas Lane,
Richmond, BC
October 13/09
Premier Gordon Campbell,
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister of Children and Family Development,
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister of Children and Family Development,
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister Polack, and Deputy Minister Du Toit;
Let me introduce myself – my name is Ann Reiner and I am a pediatric physiotherapist who has been consistently involved with providing services to children with developmental disorders in British Columbia for forty-eight years. I have held senior positions at Sunny Hill Health Centre and BC Children`s Hospital and additionally have worked in a variety of community therapy programs. I have also been involved in teaching courses and workshops in Canada and abroad, and currently teach courses at UBC, all focused on various aspects of early intervention.
Like many others, I am writing to communicate my opposition to the proposed closure of the Offices of the Provincial Advisor and Regional Advisors of the Infant Development Program of BC. I feel that I have a unique perspective in this regard, because I have had the good fortune to be involved with the Vancouver Infant Development Program from its very inception. For many years I provided physiotherapy services to the Vancouver Program, and watched in amazement as the idea spread throughout the province, so that there are now 53 IDP programs, and virtually every family in BC has access to timely, professional, and efficient service. When I retired from my position as Clinical Coordinator of Physiotherapy at BC Children`s Hospital, I was happy to return to working as a Physiotherapy Consultant to Vancouver IDP, where I am to this day.
Early in the history of the Infant Development Program of BC, the government of the day wisely seconded Dana Brynelsen to be an advisor to the programs then existing, and all the new programs that subsequently were developed. It was understood that a high level of guidance, advice and training was necessary to make these programs a success. A Manual of policies and procedures was developed, and has been revised at regular intervals ever since. Professional development organized and offered by people with knowledge and experience in the field has been an integral part of the service. The BC Programs have been admired, studied and imitated by professionals in jurisdictions all over the world.
Early intervention practice spans the disciplines of health care, education and social work, and the body of knowledge needed is growing rapidly. Infant Development Consultants work in diverse parts of the province, and often in isolation. When confronted with an unusual diagnosis or situation, they can quickly obtain up to date information and advice from the Provincial Advisor or their Regional Advisor, and thus offer the highest quality of services to families. With this level of professional guidance in best practice, it is no accident that the Infant Development Programs of BC have not been involved in scandals, lawsuits, investigations and Royal Commissions experienced by some programs within MCFD and other ministries. All this for only $300,000.00 a year!!
Minister of Children and Family Development Mary Polack has explained this decision as removing a level of administrative bureaucracy from the system, but I am sure that she has been misinformed. The Provincial Office is involved in education and guidance of Infant Development Consultants, not in administration, which is carried out appropriately at the regional level. If the Minister wishes to cut back on levels of administration, I am sure that she can find a more appropriate target elsewhere in the system.
As a lifelong Liberal supporter, I am upset that the Minister is planning to carry out measures which will further erode the confidence of the citizens of BC in this government`s ability to govern. What is worse, the ability of the Infant Development Programs to provide a high level of service to families with infants and young children is now in jeopardy. This is inexcusable.
Ann Reiner, BSR, MA,
Physiotherapist
cc Rob Howard, MLA, Richmond Centre
cc Maurina Karagianis, MCFD Critic, NDP
Richmond, BC
October 13/09
Premier Gordon Campbell,
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister of Children and Family Development,
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister of Children and Family Development,
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister Polack, and Deputy Minister Du Toit;
Let me introduce myself – my name is Ann Reiner and I am a pediatric physiotherapist who has been consistently involved with providing services to children with developmental disorders in British Columbia for forty-eight years. I have held senior positions at Sunny Hill Health Centre and BC Children`s Hospital and additionally have worked in a variety of community therapy programs. I have also been involved in teaching courses and workshops in Canada and abroad, and currently teach courses at UBC, all focused on various aspects of early intervention.
Like many others, I am writing to communicate my opposition to the proposed closure of the Offices of the Provincial Advisor and Regional Advisors of the Infant Development Program of BC. I feel that I have a unique perspective in this regard, because I have had the good fortune to be involved with the Vancouver Infant Development Program from its very inception. For many years I provided physiotherapy services to the Vancouver Program, and watched in amazement as the idea spread throughout the province, so that there are now 53 IDP programs, and virtually every family in BC has access to timely, professional, and efficient service. When I retired from my position as Clinical Coordinator of Physiotherapy at BC Children`s Hospital, I was happy to return to working as a Physiotherapy Consultant to Vancouver IDP, where I am to this day.
Early in the history of the Infant Development Program of BC, the government of the day wisely seconded Dana Brynelsen to be an advisor to the programs then existing, and all the new programs that subsequently were developed. It was understood that a high level of guidance, advice and training was necessary to make these programs a success. A Manual of policies and procedures was developed, and has been revised at regular intervals ever since. Professional development organized and offered by people with knowledge and experience in the field has been an integral part of the service. The BC Programs have been admired, studied and imitated by professionals in jurisdictions all over the world.
Early intervention practice spans the disciplines of health care, education and social work, and the body of knowledge needed is growing rapidly. Infant Development Consultants work in diverse parts of the province, and often in isolation. When confronted with an unusual diagnosis or situation, they can quickly obtain up to date information and advice from the Provincial Advisor or their Regional Advisor, and thus offer the highest quality of services to families. With this level of professional guidance in best practice, it is no accident that the Infant Development Programs of BC have not been involved in scandals, lawsuits, investigations and Royal Commissions experienced by some programs within MCFD and other ministries. All this for only $300,000.00 a year!!
Minister of Children and Family Development Mary Polack has explained this decision as removing a level of administrative bureaucracy from the system, but I am sure that she has been misinformed. The Provincial Office is involved in education and guidance of Infant Development Consultants, not in administration, which is carried out appropriately at the regional level. If the Minister wishes to cut back on levels of administration, I am sure that she can find a more appropriate target elsewhere in the system.
As a lifelong Liberal supporter, I am upset that the Minister is planning to carry out measures which will further erode the confidence of the citizens of BC in this government`s ability to govern. What is worse, the ability of the Infant Development Programs to provide a high level of service to families with infants and young children is now in jeopardy. This is inexcusable.
Ann Reiner, BSR, MA,
Physiotherapist
cc Rob Howard, MLA, Richmond Centre
cc Maurina Karagianis, MCFD Critic, NDP
Letter from Provincial Steering Committee
October 23, 2009
Doug Hughes
Regional Executive Director, Interior
Chair, Regional Executive Director Council
Mark Sieben
Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Policy & Legislation Team
Dear Mr. Hughes and Mr. Sieben:
Re: Your letter of October 19th, 2009, Ref #: 188506 to Community Agencies regarding the Provincial Advisors for Infant Development Program, Supported Child Development, Children First and Aboriginal Infant Development.
I am writing on behalf of the Provincial Steering Committee, Infant Development Programs of BC, in response to this letter, a copy of which was sent to us on October 19th, 2009. This letter is the first written information regarding the closure of the Provincial Offices that we have received from MCFD.
As you may know the Provincial Steering Committee has worked in partnership with MCFD, and previous related Social Service Ministries since 1975. During this time all of our work has been done in collaboration and in partnership with the Ministry and the various parents and professionals who serve on the Committee. These parents and professionals represent a variety of provincial agencies, hospitals, universities and research units connected to our work. Our work is a successful model of government, parent and professional collaboration. It is recognized internationally. Further, please note that the Provincial Steering Committee is a voluntary committee. Members receive no fees for their significant contributions to the field of early childhood intervention in BC.
The role of the Provincial Steering Committee is to support and direct the work of the Provincial Office. One of the Committee’s important responsibilities is to oversee the Policy and Procedures Manual and to ensure that this Manual reflects family-centred
evidence-based practice. Parents and professionals as well as field staff, employers and Ministry staff have input into the development and final review of the Manual as each edition is prepared.
In recent years, MCFD’s participation on the Provincial Steering Committee, both provincially and regionally, has been sporadic. We have had a series of different representatives for a number of years. For one period we had a different representative from MCFD at each meeting. We understand that this is a reflection of significant and ongoing internal government changes and restructuring within MCFD as well as staff changes. Consequently, this inconsistent representation may have resulted in an incomplete and fragmented understanding by senior MCFD staff of the nature and scope of the work done by the Provincial Steering Committee and the Provincial Office.
Because of this, we are very concerned that the recent government decision to discontinue the Provincial Offices for IDP, AIDP and SCD has been made without adequate information about the role of and work of the Provincial Offices and related Steering Committees. As we were not consulted prior to the MCFD decision of late September, we did not have the opportunity to share information that might have led to a different decision by their decision-makers.
In a teleconference with Jane Cowell, MCFD Regional Council Support Team, on October 19, 2009 we were informed that the decision to close the Provincial Offices was made because of budget limitations. She stated that the decision-making criteria used to determine whether programs would be funded, or not, was also dependent on whether they provided direct services to families. We understand that the decision-makers assumed that the Provincial Office does not provide direct support. However, the Provincial Office does provide direct support to families through the website and direct communication to parents seeking advice and information on child development.
The Office also acts as a referral vehicle for parents with infants with disabilities and professionals throughout BC. In addition, staff at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre and other tertiary level programs for very low incidence children with disabilities (e.g. infants with vision and hearing loss) regularly use our services to link families with services. Further to this the Provincial Office works with Provincial Health Services to ensure their Health Line services accessible by toll free numbers to all families in BC are linked to our registry of programs which is updated on a weekly basis.
We were clearly informed during the teleconference, and this further confirmed by your letter of the same date, that the Ministry has no “transition plan” in place to ensure that there will be continued supports for the staff working in Infant Development Programs throughout BC or the related programs. We understand from Jane Cowell that our Provincial Advisors and Regional Advisors are expected to ‘volunteer’ to work toward developing a “transition plan,” and from your letter we note that this plan will include the roles of Infant Development Regional Advisors, a professional development strategy for community agencies, policy for MCFD, and regional support and networking for consultants.
The items in this plan could each be considered non-direct services, whether provided regionally or integrated with the Policy Division at MCFD, and each is in need of substantial funding in order to be done well. We are confused that consideration is being given to developing unproven, undeveloped strategies that will require non-direct funding in order to be realized, when for the same reasons a well researched, time tested, evidence based, cost efficient system is being dismantled without consultation.
We do not consider the move to dismantle the Provincial Offices to be in the interests of the infants and children with disabilities and their families in BC. We are unable to support the Ministry in this decision and urgently request MCFD to reconsider this decision. We have all been through tough economic times and are well aware of the need to implement cost saving initiatives in tough times. However, in tough times it does not make good business sense to eliminate leadership. It is in tough times that good leadership can motivate programs and people to contribute more, not less.
We have worked for many years in good faith and in partnership with our colleagues in government. We are hopeful that we can resolve this current issue and move forward together to continue to work on behalf of good services for young children with disabilities and their families in BC.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Graves,
Chair,
Provincial Steering Committee, Infant Development Program of BC
Doug Hughes
Regional Executive Director, Interior
Chair, Regional Executive Director Council
Mark Sieben
Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Policy & Legislation Team
Dear Mr. Hughes and Mr. Sieben:
Re: Your letter of October 19th, 2009, Ref #: 188506 to Community Agencies regarding the Provincial Advisors for Infant Development Program, Supported Child Development, Children First and Aboriginal Infant Development.
I am writing on behalf of the Provincial Steering Committee, Infant Development Programs of BC, in response to this letter, a copy of which was sent to us on October 19th, 2009. This letter is the first written information regarding the closure of the Provincial Offices that we have received from MCFD.
As you may know the Provincial Steering Committee has worked in partnership with MCFD, and previous related Social Service Ministries since 1975. During this time all of our work has been done in collaboration and in partnership with the Ministry and the various parents and professionals who serve on the Committee. These parents and professionals represent a variety of provincial agencies, hospitals, universities and research units connected to our work. Our work is a successful model of government, parent and professional collaboration. It is recognized internationally. Further, please note that the Provincial Steering Committee is a voluntary committee. Members receive no fees for their significant contributions to the field of early childhood intervention in BC.
The role of the Provincial Steering Committee is to support and direct the work of the Provincial Office. One of the Committee’s important responsibilities is to oversee the Policy and Procedures Manual and to ensure that this Manual reflects family-centred
evidence-based practice. Parents and professionals as well as field staff, employers and Ministry staff have input into the development and final review of the Manual as each edition is prepared.
In recent years, MCFD’s participation on the Provincial Steering Committee, both provincially and regionally, has been sporadic. We have had a series of different representatives for a number of years. For one period we had a different representative from MCFD at each meeting. We understand that this is a reflection of significant and ongoing internal government changes and restructuring within MCFD as well as staff changes. Consequently, this inconsistent representation may have resulted in an incomplete and fragmented understanding by senior MCFD staff of the nature and scope of the work done by the Provincial Steering Committee and the Provincial Office.
Because of this, we are very concerned that the recent government decision to discontinue the Provincial Offices for IDP, AIDP and SCD has been made without adequate information about the role of and work of the Provincial Offices and related Steering Committees. As we were not consulted prior to the MCFD decision of late September, we did not have the opportunity to share information that might have led to a different decision by their decision-makers.
In a teleconference with Jane Cowell, MCFD Regional Council Support Team, on October 19, 2009 we were informed that the decision to close the Provincial Offices was made because of budget limitations. She stated that the decision-making criteria used to determine whether programs would be funded, or not, was also dependent on whether they provided direct services to families. We understand that the decision-makers assumed that the Provincial Office does not provide direct support. However, the Provincial Office does provide direct support to families through the website and direct communication to parents seeking advice and information on child development.
The Office also acts as a referral vehicle for parents with infants with disabilities and professionals throughout BC. In addition, staff at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre and other tertiary level programs for very low incidence children with disabilities (e.g. infants with vision and hearing loss) regularly use our services to link families with services. Further to this the Provincial Office works with Provincial Health Services to ensure their Health Line services accessible by toll free numbers to all families in BC are linked to our registry of programs which is updated on a weekly basis.
We were clearly informed during the teleconference, and this further confirmed by your letter of the same date, that the Ministry has no “transition plan” in place to ensure that there will be continued supports for the staff working in Infant Development Programs throughout BC or the related programs. We understand from Jane Cowell that our Provincial Advisors and Regional Advisors are expected to ‘volunteer’ to work toward developing a “transition plan,” and from your letter we note that this plan will include the roles of Infant Development Regional Advisors, a professional development strategy for community agencies, policy for MCFD, and regional support and networking for consultants.
The items in this plan could each be considered non-direct services, whether provided regionally or integrated with the Policy Division at MCFD, and each is in need of substantial funding in order to be done well. We are confused that consideration is being given to developing unproven, undeveloped strategies that will require non-direct funding in order to be realized, when for the same reasons a well researched, time tested, evidence based, cost efficient system is being dismantled without consultation.
We do not consider the move to dismantle the Provincial Offices to be in the interests of the infants and children with disabilities and their families in BC. We are unable to support the Ministry in this decision and urgently request MCFD to reconsider this decision. We have all been through tough economic times and are well aware of the need to implement cost saving initiatives in tough times. However, in tough times it does not make good business sense to eliminate leadership. It is in tough times that good leadership can motivate programs and people to contribute more, not less.
We have worked for many years in good faith and in partnership with our colleagues in government. We are hopeful that we can resolve this current issue and move forward together to continue to work on behalf of good services for young children with disabilities and their families in BC.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Graves,
Chair,
Provincial Steering Committee, Infant Development Program of BC
Thursday, October 22, 2009
On-Line Survey - Minister of Finance ('til tomorrow only!)
Please use this link for an On-line Survey from the "Budget 2010 Consultation;" This closes on October 23. It takses 10 minutes. You will received an email confirming your submission.
Carolyn Graves suggests to complete (as members of our agencies or as citizens) as it gives us another chance to get through to the Minister of Finance and his group.
Here is the link:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations/survey.asp
Carolyn Graves suggests to complete (as members of our agencies or as citizens) as it gives us another chance to get through to the Minister of Finance and his group.
Here is the link:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations/survey.asp
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
UPDATED:MAILING ADDRESSES & EMAILS FOR SUPPORT LETTERS
Your MLA’s address can be found at this website http://dir.gov.bc.ca/
The Premier’s address is:
Honourable Gordon Campbell
Po Box 9041 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E1
EMAIL: Premier Gordon Campbell < premier@gov.bc.ca>
Carole James, Leader of the Opposition
Room 110B, Parliament Buildings
Victoria-Beacon Hill Constituency Office
1084 Fort Street,
Victoria, BC, V8V1X4
Email: carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca
Here are the addresses for the Minister and Deputy Minster:
Honourable Mary Polak
PO Box 9057 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E2
EMAIL: Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister
PO BOX 9721 STN Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9S2
EMAIL: MCF.DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Please also write to Maurine Karagianis who is the NDP Opposition Critic for Children & Families. Here address is:
Maurine Karagianis
Room 201
Parliament Buildings
Victoria BC V8V 1X4
EMAIL: Maurine.Karagianis.MLA@leg.bc.ca
The Premier’s address is:
Honourable Gordon Campbell
Po Box 9041 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E1
EMAIL: Premier Gordon Campbell < premier@gov.bc.ca>
Carole James, Leader of the Opposition
Room 110B, Parliament Buildings
Victoria-Beacon Hill Constituency Office
1084 Fort Street,
Victoria, BC, V8V1X4
Email: carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca
Here are the addresses for the Minister and Deputy Minster:
Honourable Mary Polak
PO Box 9057 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E2
EMAIL: Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister
PO BOX 9721 STN Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9S2
EMAIL: MCF.DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Please also write to Maurine Karagianis who is the NDP Opposition Critic for Children & Families. Here address is:
Maurine Karagianis
Room 201
Parliament Buildings
Victoria BC V8V 1X4
EMAIL: Maurine.Karagianis.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Letter to J Kwan-A Kennedy (Sheway)
Oct. 15th, 2009 Oct. 15th, 2009
Dear MLA Jenny Kwan,
I am writing about the need to keep our Provincial and Regional Advisors in the Infant Development Program and Aboriginal Infant Development Program of BC.
I am a front line Infant Development Consultant at Sheway – a not for profit organization that offers health and social service supports to pregnant women – following mother and baby until baby is 18 months old – who have substance use issues. I do developmental screenings, assessments and offer Parenting Groups amongst other things. We are located in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver. Approximately 70% of our clientele identify as Aboriginal.
Without Advisor support, I fear that the future of Infant Development in areas of BC that suffer poverty and trauma will be in crisis. Advisors provide training; inform me of current relevant trends and changes in Early Child Development – things that I don’t have time to research while working in this environment. Consultants need this information, and must be up to date in order to provide quality services for our high-risk caseloads.
The networking support that the Advisors provide prevents burn out.
As it stands now, my co-worker and I have a caseload between us of eighty infants under the age of 18 months. We have our hands full and heavily rely on the information our Advisors pass on to us.
I am requesting that you please ask Honorable Mary Polak to reconsider the funding cut to the Infant Development and Aboriginal Infant Development Programs of BC. The Advisors are essential to providing quality services to at risk infants in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, to the Sheway program and to the future of BC.
All My Relations,
April Kennedy
Sheway IDP
604-216-1699
#101-533 East Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6A 1P9
akennedy@ywcavan.org
Dear MLA Jenny Kwan,
I am writing about the need to keep our Provincial and Regional Advisors in the Infant Development Program and Aboriginal Infant Development Program of BC.
I am a front line Infant Development Consultant at Sheway – a not for profit organization that offers health and social service supports to pregnant women – following mother and baby until baby is 18 months old – who have substance use issues. I do developmental screenings, assessments and offer Parenting Groups amongst other things. We are located in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver. Approximately 70% of our clientele identify as Aboriginal.
Without Advisor support, I fear that the future of Infant Development in areas of BC that suffer poverty and trauma will be in crisis. Advisors provide training; inform me of current relevant trends and changes in Early Child Development – things that I don’t have time to research while working in this environment. Consultants need this information, and must be up to date in order to provide quality services for our high-risk caseloads.
The networking support that the Advisors provide prevents burn out.
As it stands now, my co-worker and I have a caseload between us of eighty infants under the age of 18 months. We have our hands full and heavily rely on the information our Advisors pass on to us.
I am requesting that you please ask Honorable Mary Polak to reconsider the funding cut to the Infant Development and Aboriginal Infant Development Programs of BC. The Advisors are essential to providing quality services to at risk infants in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, to the Sheway program and to the future of BC.
All My Relations,
April Kennedy
Sheway IDP
604-216-1699
#101-533 East Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6A 1P9
akennedy@ywcavan.org
Monday, October 19, 2009
Letter Dr Anne Synnes, NFUP Program (BC Children's Hospital)
October 9. 2009
Premier Gordon Campbell < premier@gov.bc.ca>
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development
MCF.DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister and Deputy Minister,
Your decision to close the office of the provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Program of BC is short sited and ill advised. The decision reveals a lack of understanding of both the role of the lDP and the provincial advisor of the lDP and the anticipated consequences of the closure of this office.
The office of the lDP Provincial Advisor provides the infrastructure to ensure that the lDP provides the best, most efficient and well organized developmental care for our most vulnerable children. The provincial advisor ensures appropriate training for lDP consultants, ongoing education, and the development of standards of practice and quality assurance.
I am writing from the perspective of a neonatologist, a physician who is involved in providing life saving treatments to both very sick and very premature babies and as the medical director of the Neonatal Follow-Up Program where we see the survivors of new invasive technologies for newborns and children.
These new technologies result in many "miracles" and we all celebrate these successes. However, many premature babies survive with some disabilities. The same can be said for children born with heart disease and those needing transplants or other invasive expensive therapies. In Canada, these children still rate the quality of their life as very high.
My clinical experience meeting with these children and their families is they cope very well when community services are available. Without support, a progression from fatigue to marital breakdown, despair and de-compensation start to occur. It is increasingly recognized that these parents often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The lDP is the cornerstone of support for the families of these infants up to the age of 3 years.
As physicians we counsel families about the outcomes, both good and bad, of the life saving treatment options we can offer. Our goal is to provide treatments which result in happy healthy children with a good quality of life. Survival is not enough. The closure of the office of the provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Program of BC will change the outcome for these children and their families. There are unlikely to be any cost savings in closing the provincial advisor's office.
The premier and his government have an obligation to either reinstate the office of the provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Program or to tell the physicians and families of British Columbia that he will take responsibility for eroding the foundation of the BC Infant Development Program. The result will affect life and death decisions.
Sincerely,
Anne Synnes MDCM, MHSC, FRCPC
Neonatologist & Director, Neonatal Follow-Up Program
Children's & Women's Health centre of BC
Clinical Associate Professor,
University of British Columbia
4480 Oak St, Room 1R13
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-875-2135
Fax: 604-875-3106
Premier Gordon Campbell < premier@gov.bc.ca>
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development
MCF.DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister and Deputy Minister,
Your decision to close the office of the provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Program of BC is short sited and ill advised. The decision reveals a lack of understanding of both the role of the lDP and the provincial advisor of the lDP and the anticipated consequences of the closure of this office.
The office of the lDP Provincial Advisor provides the infrastructure to ensure that the lDP provides the best, most efficient and well organized developmental care for our most vulnerable children. The provincial advisor ensures appropriate training for lDP consultants, ongoing education, and the development of standards of practice and quality assurance.
I am writing from the perspective of a neonatologist, a physician who is involved in providing life saving treatments to both very sick and very premature babies and as the medical director of the Neonatal Follow-Up Program where we see the survivors of new invasive technologies for newborns and children.
These new technologies result in many "miracles" and we all celebrate these successes. However, many premature babies survive with some disabilities. The same can be said for children born with heart disease and those needing transplants or other invasive expensive therapies. In Canada, these children still rate the quality of their life as very high.
My clinical experience meeting with these children and their families is they cope very well when community services are available. Without support, a progression from fatigue to marital breakdown, despair and de-compensation start to occur. It is increasingly recognized that these parents often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The lDP is the cornerstone of support for the families of these infants up to the age of 3 years.
As physicians we counsel families about the outcomes, both good and bad, of the life saving treatment options we can offer. Our goal is to provide treatments which result in happy healthy children with a good quality of life. Survival is not enough. The closure of the office of the provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Program of BC will change the outcome for these children and their families. There are unlikely to be any cost savings in closing the provincial advisor's office.
The premier and his government have an obligation to either reinstate the office of the provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Program or to tell the physicians and families of British Columbia that he will take responsibility for eroding the foundation of the BC Infant Development Program. The result will affect life and death decisions.
Sincerely,
Anne Synnes MDCM, MHSC, FRCPC
Neonatologist & Director, Neonatal Follow-Up Program
Children's & Women's Health centre of BC
Clinical Associate Professor,
University of British Columbia
4480 Oak St, Room 1R13
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604-875-2135
Fax: 604-875-3106
Letter J Fisher-Kootenay Family Place
The Honourable Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Minister Responsible for Child Care
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Dear Minister Polak;
I am writing to you today to raise concerns about the recent notice of closure given to the Provincial Offices of Infant Development Program, Aboriginal Infant Development Program and the Supported Child Development Programs.
Kootenay Family Place has programs that utilize both Infant Development and Supported Child Development Consultants who provide services in the Boundary and West Kootenay covering an area from Beaverdale to Nakusp. This is a massive area geographically and encompasses an enormous range of socio economic, culturally unique, economically challenged and physically isolated communities. The range of issues presented to our staff challenge their training, experience and skills on a regular basis. It is at these times that our staff have come to rely upon the Provincial Offices for their support, information on new practices and the highly skilled expertise of the various advisors in supporting solutions for families of children with special needs. That support and expertise cannot be replicated at the local level for any amount of money and its loss will be keenly felt and will ultimately impact our service effectiveness.
The loss of these Advisors will have the net result of cutting off a precious, cost effective and valuable “supply line” of information and support to those in the field. The lack of valuable inputs from the Advisors will have a detrimental impact on program outcomes and, in particular, for those delivering these services far away from urban centers of information, where there exists more easily obtained alternative supports. Currently, information can be accessed easily and in a timely way. In the future it will require a great deal of staff time and effort to ferret out that same information at a cost to direct service.
.../2
-2-
In addition, the loss of the Aboriginal Advisors will be felt at a time when the transfer of support services to the Aboriginal community is still in its infancy. Complex issues can and will arise in the delivery of services between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities. The guidance of the Provincial Advisors, in sharing practice information and innovation from around the province, has been most helpful and is vital to future success.
Minister, I want to underscore the tremendous value that these Advisors add to our services to vulnerable children and families. I strongly urge you to reconsider the impacts that these closures will have on our attempts to support some of the most challenged children and families in our Province.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Fisher
Executive Director
Kootenay Family Place
Cc Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development MCF. DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Minister of Children and Family Development
Minister Responsible for Child Care
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Dear Minister Polak;
I am writing to you today to raise concerns about the recent notice of closure given to the Provincial Offices of Infant Development Program, Aboriginal Infant Development Program and the Supported Child Development Programs.
Kootenay Family Place has programs that utilize both Infant Development and Supported Child Development Consultants who provide services in the Boundary and West Kootenay covering an area from Beaverdale to Nakusp. This is a massive area geographically and encompasses an enormous range of socio economic, culturally unique, economically challenged and physically isolated communities. The range of issues presented to our staff challenge their training, experience and skills on a regular basis. It is at these times that our staff have come to rely upon the Provincial Offices for their support, information on new practices and the highly skilled expertise of the various advisors in supporting solutions for families of children with special needs. That support and expertise cannot be replicated at the local level for any amount of money and its loss will be keenly felt and will ultimately impact our service effectiveness.
The loss of these Advisors will have the net result of cutting off a precious, cost effective and valuable “supply line” of information and support to those in the field. The lack of valuable inputs from the Advisors will have a detrimental impact on program outcomes and, in particular, for those delivering these services far away from urban centers of information, where there exists more easily obtained alternative supports. Currently, information can be accessed easily and in a timely way. In the future it will require a great deal of staff time and effort to ferret out that same information at a cost to direct service.
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In addition, the loss of the Aboriginal Advisors will be felt at a time when the transfer of support services to the Aboriginal community is still in its infancy. Complex issues can and will arise in the delivery of services between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities. The guidance of the Provincial Advisors, in sharing practice information and innovation from around the province, has been most helpful and is vital to future success.
Minister, I want to underscore the tremendous value that these Advisors add to our services to vulnerable children and families. I strongly urge you to reconsider the impacts that these closures will have on our attempts to support some of the most challenged children and families in our Province.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Fisher
Executive Director
Kootenay Family Place
Cc Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development MCF. DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Letter from ML Best-Alan Cashmore Centre
I am utterly dismayed and distressed to learn that the Office of Provincial Advisor of the IDP BC will be eliminated. For the past 35 years Dana Brynelsen, in her role as Provincial Advisor, has provided a learned passion and leadership to all of us in the field of early childhood intervention. She has worked tirelessly to build an outstanding, provincial wide foundation of support services to families with special needs children. Infant Development Consultants across the province, regardless of whether they are in urban, rural or remote communities, know they and the families they serve, will get the support, resources, information, and ongoing education needed from the Provincial Office. They know that this Office will be a voice of advocacy for vulnerable families and young children. To pull the leadership role out of this organization is an insult to it's vital function over time. To describe this position as having been an "intermediary between the ministry and service providers" (Oct. 7 - MCFD response) diminishes the role and misses the essential heart of it - to provide inspiration, leadership, advocacy, vision, a standardized level of practice, a commitment to excellence in both service and professional development and, above all else, equal access to service regardless of where families live. This is what this Office has meant to line staff, to families across BC and to professionals in the field of early childhood in general. It has been the backbone of IDP programs and it's elimination will assuredly risk a gradual fragmentation of programs, diminished access to system wide education, training and support, increased isolation from colleagues and potentially a reduction in the quality and standardization of practice. Of course there is the issue of low morale.
I have worked in early childhood mental health services for over 20 years as both an infant mental health clinician and now as Coordinator of early childhood mental health services, Dana was engaged in early intervention services long before the rest of us knew such a thing was possible. She has been a pioneer and champion in the the field of early childhood intervention. Her commitment to services for vulnerable families is reflected in the values and practices she has brought to her position as Provincial Advisor. She has worked endlessly in collaboration across professions, programs, services and ministries to enhance professional awareness, knowledge and skill in identifying, assessing and providing intervention and support for children with special needs and their families. The breadth of experience, knowledge and relationship Dana has accumulated over time cannot be replaced. Gutting leadership will most certainly result in the weakening of programs across the province and it is families with special needs children that will feel the impact.
On behalf of children who have no power and no voice and caregiving families who are often too burdened to speak out, I urge you to reconsider your decision to eliminate the Provincial Advisor position.
Respectfully,
Mary Lee Best, MSW,RSW
Coordinator
Alan Cashmore Centre
Vancouver Child and Youth Mental Health
I have worked in early childhood mental health services for over 20 years as both an infant mental health clinician and now as Coordinator of early childhood mental health services, Dana was engaged in early intervention services long before the rest of us knew such a thing was possible. She has been a pioneer and champion in the the field of early childhood intervention. Her commitment to services for vulnerable families is reflected in the values and practices she has brought to her position as Provincial Advisor. She has worked endlessly in collaboration across professions, programs, services and ministries to enhance professional awareness, knowledge and skill in identifying, assessing and providing intervention and support for children with special needs and their families. The breadth of experience, knowledge and relationship Dana has accumulated over time cannot be replaced. Gutting leadership will most certainly result in the weakening of programs across the province and it is families with special needs children that will feel the impact.
On behalf of children who have no power and no voice and caregiving families who are often too burdened to speak out, I urge you to reconsider your decision to eliminate the Provincial Advisor position.
Respectfully,
Mary Lee Best, MSW,RSW
Coordinator
Alan Cashmore Centre
Vancouver Child and Youth Mental Health
Letter from Sunshine Coast IDP- M. Corder
October 9, 2009
Premier Gordon Campbell
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister and Deputy Minister:
For the past 18 years, I have been the “sole charge” Infant Development Consultant on the Sunshine Coast serving children birth to age three with disabilities or developmental concerns and their families. Today I am feeling the impact of news from MCFD to cut the position of the Provincial IDP Advisor by the end of December 2009.
This is a harsh blow to isolated programs in rural communities, where we depend strongly on the provincial advisor and staff, as do many families, for support, guidance and counsel. The Provincial Office is responsible for hiring one provincial advisor, one administrative assistant and one regional advisor for each of the five regions in the province. This is not a bureaucracy. This is a skeleton staff providing an enormous amount of extremely important work with, and on behalf of vulnerable families and IDP consultants throughout the province for over thirty years.
As the only IDP staff working on the Sunshine Coast, I contact the Provincial Office staff frequently. I know they have the level of expertise not available to me in my local community. Their support relates to my work with families including: grief and loss issues specific to the population I work with, difficult medical conditions, the latest evidenced based research, intervention techniques, best practices, or training opportunities. The service provided from the Provincial Office is specific to concerns in the field of infant development and has been created over 30 years. For instance, the family centered philosophy is the underlying approach of the IDP, and the Provincial Office models this approach to families and consultants. It provides a personal direct link to a vast array of other “family-centered” networks and supports provincially and nationally. The provincial advisor and assistant have always been available for empathic direct telephone discussion and support, so important and helpful in an era of automation and technology. The BC Provincial IDP Office has become known internationally as a leader in the field of infant development and without this valued and reliable service, I know the quality of my work with families in my rural community will be diminished.
The Provincial Office also provides strong advocacy to local agencies for high quality professional development for IDP consultants, to assure the highest quality service to families. In this regard, the Provincial Office has been responsible for organizing state-of- the-art summer institutes and inservice training specific to the philosophy of the program. Over my 20-year career in IDP I have attended 6 summer institutes at UBC, leading to a post-degree diploma in infant development and have attended spring and fall in-services annually as well as many conferences and workshops. The Provincial Office organizes leading edge professors and researchers in the field of early child development to teach summer institutes and bi-annual inservice training sessions. These “experts” are known to the provincial or regional advisors who make it their job to carefully research “the best” in the field. Without the work of the Provincial Office in providing the best training available for IDP consultants, we would be at a great loss in developing the skills most suited to doing our jobs.
Another aspect of the provincial office is the creation and regular updating of the policies and procedures manual, including in-depth evaluation tools. This important document is based on research, best practices and years of experience from Provincial Office staff and input from families on what works best. It provides standardization for all IDP programs in the province and assures consistent family-centered service to families when they move between communities. This 265 page document provides the structure we all use and value because it is created from “real” input from users of the program and from the staff at the Provincial Office who “care”.
I have always felt honored and proud to be part of this wonderful caring community of infant development consultants of BC, and it’s provincial advisor who has role-modeled all that the program aspires to be. Her empathy, compassion, humour, overall generosity and caring for families and consultants have given us the strength to carry on in times of challenge, grief and overwhelming family trauma. As the only consultant doing the IDP work on the Sunshine Coast, I cannot imagine how it would be without the support, expertise, caring and direct service the Provincial Office provides. The quality of service to families would definitely be impacted. I strongly urge you to reinstate the funding for this much needed and valued Provincial Office of Infant Development.
Sincerely
Merrily Corder
Infant Development Consultant
Sunshine Coast Infant Development Program
Cc Dana Brynelsen, IDP Provincial Advisor
Carole James, leader of the opposition
Nicholas Simons, MLA
Vicki Dobbyn, Executive Director Sunshine Coast Infant Development Program
Premier Gordon Campbell
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development
Dear Premier Campbell, Honorable Minister and Deputy Minister:
For the past 18 years, I have been the “sole charge” Infant Development Consultant on the Sunshine Coast serving children birth to age three with disabilities or developmental concerns and their families. Today I am feeling the impact of news from MCFD to cut the position of the Provincial IDP Advisor by the end of December 2009.
This is a harsh blow to isolated programs in rural communities, where we depend strongly on the provincial advisor and staff, as do many families, for support, guidance and counsel. The Provincial Office is responsible for hiring one provincial advisor, one administrative assistant and one regional advisor for each of the five regions in the province. This is not a bureaucracy. This is a skeleton staff providing an enormous amount of extremely important work with, and on behalf of vulnerable families and IDP consultants throughout the province for over thirty years.
As the only IDP staff working on the Sunshine Coast, I contact the Provincial Office staff frequently. I know they have the level of expertise not available to me in my local community. Their support relates to my work with families including: grief and loss issues specific to the population I work with, difficult medical conditions, the latest evidenced based research, intervention techniques, best practices, or training opportunities. The service provided from the Provincial Office is specific to concerns in the field of infant development and has been created over 30 years. For instance, the family centered philosophy is the underlying approach of the IDP, and the Provincial Office models this approach to families and consultants. It provides a personal direct link to a vast array of other “family-centered” networks and supports provincially and nationally. The provincial advisor and assistant have always been available for empathic direct telephone discussion and support, so important and helpful in an era of automation and technology. The BC Provincial IDP Office has become known internationally as a leader in the field of infant development and without this valued and reliable service, I know the quality of my work with families in my rural community will be diminished.
The Provincial Office also provides strong advocacy to local agencies for high quality professional development for IDP consultants, to assure the highest quality service to families. In this regard, the Provincial Office has been responsible for organizing state-of- the-art summer institutes and inservice training specific to the philosophy of the program. Over my 20-year career in IDP I have attended 6 summer institutes at UBC, leading to a post-degree diploma in infant development and have attended spring and fall in-services annually as well as many conferences and workshops. The Provincial Office organizes leading edge professors and researchers in the field of early child development to teach summer institutes and bi-annual inservice training sessions. These “experts” are known to the provincial or regional advisors who make it their job to carefully research “the best” in the field. Without the work of the Provincial Office in providing the best training available for IDP consultants, we would be at a great loss in developing the skills most suited to doing our jobs.
Another aspect of the provincial office is the creation and regular updating of the policies and procedures manual, including in-depth evaluation tools. This important document is based on research, best practices and years of experience from Provincial Office staff and input from families on what works best. It provides standardization for all IDP programs in the province and assures consistent family-centered service to families when they move between communities. This 265 page document provides the structure we all use and value because it is created from “real” input from users of the program and from the staff at the Provincial Office who “care”.
I have always felt honored and proud to be part of this wonderful caring community of infant development consultants of BC, and it’s provincial advisor who has role-modeled all that the program aspires to be. Her empathy, compassion, humour, overall generosity and caring for families and consultants have given us the strength to carry on in times of challenge, grief and overwhelming family trauma. As the only consultant doing the IDP work on the Sunshine Coast, I cannot imagine how it would be without the support, expertise, caring and direct service the Provincial Office provides. The quality of service to families would definitely be impacted. I strongly urge you to reinstate the funding for this much needed and valued Provincial Office of Infant Development.
Sincerely
Merrily Corder
Infant Development Consultant
Sunshine Coast Infant Development Program
Cc Dana Brynelsen, IDP Provincial Advisor
Carole James, leader of the opposition
Nicholas Simons, MLA
Vicki Dobbyn, Executive Director Sunshine Coast Infant Development Program
Letter to Tri-Cities MLA
October 5, 2009
Mike Farnworth
107A – 2748 Lougheed Highway
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3B 6P2
Dear Mike Farnworth,
We are writing you as a group of concerned consultants from the Simon Fraser Society Infant Development Program about the government’s recent decision to eliminate the Provincial Advisors Office. Our program has been in existence for 34 years and for all of this time we have relied on the office of the provincial advisor for support, training and guidance in best practice in the field of early intervention.
It is through the office of the provincial advisor that consultants are able to link families throughout the province with others whose children have a similar diagnosis. Without this central location it would be difficult for families to find these connections leaving them isolated without the support of others in similar situations. Program to program support and interaction is initiated and maintained by both the provincial office and regional advisors. The provincial office also maintains an official website that is an excellent resource for families and consultants.
Over the 35 years that the provincial office has been operating, its advisor, Dana Brynelsen, has made numerous connections with the leading practitioners in the field of early intervention throughout Canada, the USA and around the world. These connections have led to state of the art early intervention practices. Without a provincial office it will be difficult for individual programs to keep abreast of updated research and best practice procedures. Having one office to disseminate this information saves time and money for each individual program.
As the field of early intervention continues to evolve it is important to have a central office that provides on-going training to all programs. This has been one of the most important projects that the office of the provincial advisor has undertaken. As well as the development of the IDP certificate and diploma program offered through UBC the provincial office has provided on going training and in service for many years. This training is invaluable to new and seasoned consultants. The training ensures that consultants are up to date in best practice and new research. It is difficult to find other sources of training that are as cost efficient and relevant for the birth to three populations that we serve.
Another area of focus of the provincial office has been the development and on-going review of the IDP Policy and Procedure manual which guides the practice of all 53 programs in the province. This manual is a living document and it is important that it is regularly revised to ensure that it meets the latest advances in best practice in early intervention. Also, in an effort to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and consistent standards of practice of the infant development programs, in the 1980’s the provincial advisor, with the guidance of the provincial steering committee introduced the Mitchell evaluation. This evaluation, administered through outside evaluators, ensured that programs were meeting standards set for best practice as well as ensured that families received a high quality service.
As a program that relies heavily on the invaluable expertise provided by Dana Brynelsen and the office of the provincial advisor we ask that the decision to eliminate this contract be reconsidered.
Sincerely,
Maryanne Robinson, Mihaela Oala, Jill Crichton, Karen Bollman, Kim Wartak
Simon Fraser Society Infant Development Program Consultants
Mike Farnworth
107A – 2748 Lougheed Highway
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3B 6P2
Dear Mike Farnworth,
We are writing you as a group of concerned consultants from the Simon Fraser Society Infant Development Program about the government’s recent decision to eliminate the Provincial Advisors Office. Our program has been in existence for 34 years and for all of this time we have relied on the office of the provincial advisor for support, training and guidance in best practice in the field of early intervention.
It is through the office of the provincial advisor that consultants are able to link families throughout the province with others whose children have a similar diagnosis. Without this central location it would be difficult for families to find these connections leaving them isolated without the support of others in similar situations. Program to program support and interaction is initiated and maintained by both the provincial office and regional advisors. The provincial office also maintains an official website that is an excellent resource for families and consultants.
Over the 35 years that the provincial office has been operating, its advisor, Dana Brynelsen, has made numerous connections with the leading practitioners in the field of early intervention throughout Canada, the USA and around the world. These connections have led to state of the art early intervention practices. Without a provincial office it will be difficult for individual programs to keep abreast of updated research and best practice procedures. Having one office to disseminate this information saves time and money for each individual program.
As the field of early intervention continues to evolve it is important to have a central office that provides on-going training to all programs. This has been one of the most important projects that the office of the provincial advisor has undertaken. As well as the development of the IDP certificate and diploma program offered through UBC the provincial office has provided on going training and in service for many years. This training is invaluable to new and seasoned consultants. The training ensures that consultants are up to date in best practice and new research. It is difficult to find other sources of training that are as cost efficient and relevant for the birth to three populations that we serve.
Another area of focus of the provincial office has been the development and on-going review of the IDP Policy and Procedure manual which guides the practice of all 53 programs in the province. This manual is a living document and it is important that it is regularly revised to ensure that it meets the latest advances in best practice in early intervention. Also, in an effort to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and consistent standards of practice of the infant development programs, in the 1980’s the provincial advisor, with the guidance of the provincial steering committee introduced the Mitchell evaluation. This evaluation, administered through outside evaluators, ensured that programs were meeting standards set for best practice as well as ensured that families received a high quality service.
As a program that relies heavily on the invaluable expertise provided by Dana Brynelsen and the office of the provincial advisor we ask that the decision to eliminate this contract be reconsidered.
Sincerely,
Maryanne Robinson, Mihaela Oala, Jill Crichton, Karen Bollman, Kim Wartak
Simon Fraser Society Infant Development Program Consultants
In BC Healthy Families Newsletter
Infant Development Program Offices Lose Funding (October 12, 2009)
Recent news that the provincial offices of BC's Infant Development Program, Aboriginal Infant Development Program, and Supported Child Development program are to be closed due to funding cuts is causing consternation throughout the province. These programs provide a continuum of care for infants and young children, many representing the most vulnerable children in BC.
While Minister of Children and Family Development, Mary Polak, is confident that front-line services to families and children will not be affected by the elimination of the provincial offices and the regional advisors in these programs, many professionals and parents remain concerned. Dana Brynleson, Provincial Advisor for the Infant Development Program, asserts that " if the Provincial Office is closed, even temporarily, families and staff will lose access to the rich network of support offered through the office. The IDP has served over 80,000 families since its inception and is considered by international experts in the field of child development to be one of the best programs of its kind in the world."
To voice your support for these programs, please check out the Infant Development Program's press release (PDF), which includes suggestions on elected officials to email with your concerns.
Share your Comments
Recent news that the provincial offices of BC's Infant Development Program, Aboriginal Infant Development Program, and Supported Child Development program are to be closed due to funding cuts is causing consternation throughout the province. These programs provide a continuum of care for infants and young children, many representing the most vulnerable children in BC.
While Minister of Children and Family Development, Mary Polak, is confident that front-line services to families and children will not be affected by the elimination of the provincial offices and the regional advisors in these programs, many professionals and parents remain concerned. Dana Brynleson, Provincial Advisor for the Infant Development Program, asserts that " if the Provincial Office is closed, even temporarily, families and staff will lose access to the rich network of support offered through the office. The IDP has served over 80,000 families since its inception and is considered by international experts in the field of child development to be one of the best programs of its kind in the world."
To voice your support for these programs, please check out the Infant Development Program's press release (PDF), which includes suggestions on elected officials to email with your concerns.
Share your Comments
Letter from Dr Lois Yelland, MD - Public Health
Dear Premier Campbell,
I am writing to request that your government reconsider the decision made by the Minister Polak to eliminate the provincial offices of the IDP, Aboriginal IDP and Supported Child Care Program.
This decision was made without the Minister or her Deputy Minister taking the time and effort to visit the provincial offices and acquaint themselves with the operation of these programs. It was also made without consulting or examining the impact it will have on stake-holders. This includes not only the affected children and their families, but the professionals in the field who rely on these services to assist them in caring for their clients or patients. Ultimately, this decision will impact on society as a whole, with failure to identify and treat developmental disabilities in a timely manner, resulting in increased costs from delayed medical treatment and lost productivity, not to mention the costs in human terms.
As one of these professional stake-holders, working as a physician in general practice and later, in public health, I found the infant development programs, like the prenatal nutritional outreach programs, to be among the most effective and best-run programs funded by government.
These programs didn't just happen. Like Roots of Empathy Program, they were created by individuals with a vision and dedication to meet a need and make a significant difference in developmental outcomes. These programs require ongoing leadership and expertise to ensure that field staff competencies are maintained and up-dated as new information becomes available in this rapidly changing field. These programs also require an ongoing system of data collection to keep government accurately informed of any changes in demand for these services.
Minister Polak has stated that no impact will be felt by the public because there have been no field positions cut, but I strongly disagree with her opinion. Without the support and guidance of a team of experts, these services will be seriously eroded over time and the standards of care will vary region to region, as regional protection supervisors are asked to take on yet another responsibility from the side of their desks. Minister Polak may not be around to see the full impact of her decision, but there will be tens of thousands of families that will be adversely affected by this decision. These kind of services, once dismantled, are not easily rebuilt and the expertise and experience discarded, is not readily found.
I support the need to fund more field positions in both IDP and child care, but urge you not to do this at the expense of dismantling the leadership so vital to these services.
Sincerely,
Lois Yelland
I am writing to request that your government reconsider the decision made by the Minister Polak to eliminate the provincial offices of the IDP, Aboriginal IDP and Supported Child Care Program.
This decision was made without the Minister or her Deputy Minister taking the time and effort to visit the provincial offices and acquaint themselves with the operation of these programs. It was also made without consulting or examining the impact it will have on stake-holders. This includes not only the affected children and their families, but the professionals in the field who rely on these services to assist them in caring for their clients or patients. Ultimately, this decision will impact on society as a whole, with failure to identify and treat developmental disabilities in a timely manner, resulting in increased costs from delayed medical treatment and lost productivity, not to mention the costs in human terms.
As one of these professional stake-holders, working as a physician in general practice and later, in public health, I found the infant development programs, like the prenatal nutritional outreach programs, to be among the most effective and best-run programs funded by government.
These programs didn't just happen. Like Roots of Empathy Program, they were created by individuals with a vision and dedication to meet a need and make a significant difference in developmental outcomes. These programs require ongoing leadership and expertise to ensure that field staff competencies are maintained and up-dated as new information becomes available in this rapidly changing field. These programs also require an ongoing system of data collection to keep government accurately informed of any changes in demand for these services.
Minister Polak has stated that no impact will be felt by the public because there have been no field positions cut, but I strongly disagree with her opinion. Without the support and guidance of a team of experts, these services will be seriously eroded over time and the standards of care will vary region to region, as regional protection supervisors are asked to take on yet another responsibility from the side of their desks. Minister Polak may not be around to see the full impact of her decision, but there will be tens of thousands of families that will be adversely affected by this decision. These kind of services, once dismantled, are not easily rebuilt and the expertise and experience discarded, is not readily found.
I support the need to fund more field positions in both IDP and child care, but urge you not to do this at the expense of dismantling the leadership so vital to these services.
Sincerely,
Lois Yelland
Letter from S. Anson, Neonatal Follow Up Program -BCCH- Ambulatory Clinic
Honorable Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development MCF. DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Premier Gordon Campbell premier@gov.bc.ca
Date: October 5th, 2009
Dear Ministers,
Re: Proposed closure of the office of the Provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Programme
It was recently brought to my attention that there are plans to close the office of the Provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Programme. As a physician and a mother, I would like to add my letter of concern to the collection.
I work as a Pediatrician in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Follow-up Programme at BC Children’s Hospital. We service families from all across the province. Our babies and families are survivors, who have gone through a lot in the first few months of life. We send them home with lots of hope, but also lots of worries about long-term neurodevelopmental issues.
The Infant Devleopment Programme plays a very important role in the follow-up and support of these children. We rely on them to share their child development expertise with families, and to identify children who need further services (ie. Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, etc.). The IDP consultatns help families navigate a very complicated support network for children with disabilities.
I do not understand how any professional body can work without leadership. The IDP consultatnts are certainly professionals in the field of child development and they deserve the support of a Provincial Advisor. This is important for education, for maintaining standards and for keeping sight of the vision of the program.
In my work in the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic, I have realized that there are vast inequalities in the services for children with disabilites in our Province. Children in different communities and with different disabilites receive varying levels of support. It is critical to maintain our Provincial bodies and to strive to give all children equal and optimal opportunities.
As a mother of 2 young children with profound hearing impairment, I have also had personal interactions with the Infant Development Programme. Early Hearing Screening recently became universal in our province. Since that time, the IDP consultants have added one more group of children to their caseload. The IDP consultants received extra training to enhance their knowledge about this special group of children. Without Provincial coordination, this would not have been achieved.
I sincerely hope that you reconsider this decision.
Yours sincerely,
Shelagh Anson, MD, FRCPC
Neonatal Follow-Up Programme, C&WHC BC.
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development MCF. DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
Premier Gordon Campbell premier@gov.bc.ca
Date: October 5th, 2009
Dear Ministers,
Re: Proposed closure of the office of the Provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Programme
It was recently brought to my attention that there are plans to close the office of the Provincial Advisor of the Infant Development Programme. As a physician and a mother, I would like to add my letter of concern to the collection.
I work as a Pediatrician in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Follow-up Programme at BC Children’s Hospital. We service families from all across the province. Our babies and families are survivors, who have gone through a lot in the first few months of life. We send them home with lots of hope, but also lots of worries about long-term neurodevelopmental issues.
The Infant Devleopment Programme plays a very important role in the follow-up and support of these children. We rely on them to share their child development expertise with families, and to identify children who need further services (ie. Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, etc.). The IDP consultatns help families navigate a very complicated support network for children with disabilities.
I do not understand how any professional body can work without leadership. The IDP consultatnts are certainly professionals in the field of child development and they deserve the support of a Provincial Advisor. This is important for education, for maintaining standards and for keeping sight of the vision of the program.
In my work in the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic, I have realized that there are vast inequalities in the services for children with disabilites in our Province. Children in different communities and with different disabilites receive varying levels of support. It is critical to maintain our Provincial bodies and to strive to give all children equal and optimal opportunities.
As a mother of 2 young children with profound hearing impairment, I have also had personal interactions with the Infant Development Programme. Early Hearing Screening recently became universal in our province. Since that time, the IDP consultants have added one more group of children to their caseload. The IDP consultants received extra training to enhance their knowledge about this special group of children. Without Provincial coordination, this would not have been achieved.
I sincerely hope that you reconsider this decision.
Yours sincerely,
Shelagh Anson, MD, FRCPC
Neonatal Follow-Up Programme, C&WHC BC.
Letter from North Island Early Child Development Society and Stepping Stones Centre for Child Development
North Island Early Child Development Society and Stepping Stones Centre for Child Development
Premier Gordon Campbell
premier@gov.bc.ca
Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development
MCF. DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
October 9, 2009.
Dear Honourable Members of the BC Legislature,
The MCFD’s recent announcement to close the office of the Provincial Advisor to the Infant Development Programme, which has been in place since 1975, is devastating news for our staff and families. It really makes me wonder if our new minister truly understands the dynamic role the provincial office plays in ensuring that vulnerable children are receiving the best care at the earliest age possible. While I acknowledge the need to cut back on bureaucratic spending, it is important to understand that the IDP of BC Office is not an administrative office. It is a bustling centre providing information, support and resources to families and direction, training and clinicial supervision to IDP Consultants throughout the province. As well, the provincial advisor works closely with medical professionals, researchers and ministry personnel to ensure that the program is incorporating up-to-date interventions, responding to current statistical trends, and integrating ministry initiatives. In fact, almost all of the administration that is required for the Infant Development Program is carried out by the contracted agencies - not by the Provincial IDP Office.
Cutting the IDP provincial office is not eliminating a level of administrative bureaucracy, it is more like cutting off the head of one of the most valued programs we have for children and families. This office ensures that there is a constant flow of information and support between IDP consultants and the families they serve and the MCFD, medical professionals and researchers in the fields of early brain development and infant care.
For a cost of only $300,000 a year, BC tax payers receive a provincial program that can boast:
• 194 Infant Development Consultants working with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens with the provincial office providing the clinical support, training, up-to-date information and resources needed to provide high quality early intervention to our youngest children with medical conditions, sensory impairments or developmental delays.
• Over 8000 families served annually, benefiting from the IDP provincial office which provides information on child development and available medical services, as well as referral services, needed resources, links to associations, effective early intervention strategies, and connections to professionals and other parents who are know how to best provide for infants with certain medical conditions.
• Evidence-based research and annual statistical information that is collected, shared and used to improve services for infants and children at risk in BC (e.g.; UBC, Human Early Learning Partnership, Health Authorities, Centre for Rural Health Research, etc.).
• Implementation of well-planned and coordinated provincial initiatives (e.g., BC Early Hearing Program, Infant Mental Health, Supported Child Development, Aboriginal IDP, etc).
• Well-trained and supported professional staff providing high quality services that are consistent throughout the province.
The office of the IDP of BC regularly updates the IDP Policy and Procedure Manual reflecting current research findings, best practices and new program supports to families. Our Provincial Advisor has worked diligently with MCFD, medical professionals, researchers and international experts in the field of early child development to ensure that the Infant Development Program of BC remains strong, current and effective.
The five part-time Regional Advisors make certain that each of the 194 IDP consultants in the province has the information, support and resources they need to provide effective early interventions to the children they serve. They also make sure that information flows between the front line workers through the provincial office to the ministry, researchers and medical professionals. The Provincial Office is structured to ensure that this MCFD funded program provides a consistently high quality service throughout the province.
For us at the Northern tip of Vancouver Island, we know that when a child is found to have a rare medical condition, information, expertise and resources are only an e-mail away. Without the IDP Provincial Office, we would have to spend days if not weeks researching the condition, consulting with doctors, medical professionals and therapists trying to find developmentally appropriate interventions, and then hunting down needed resources for the child and family. Currently, all we need to do is call the IDP Provincial Office and the word is out through the IDP network. Usually the same day, we are linked to current and relevant information, resources and expertise.
The people working at the Provincial Office have dedicated their lives to improving outcomes for infants at risk. They are very involved and knowledgeable about early child development, medical interventions, brain development research, early learning initiatives and family-centred practices. They are abreast of current trends, best practices and effective interventions for infants at risk. For the minister to say, "The fact remains that these are administrative positions that we can fulfill the duties of within the ministry, and that allows us to direct increased funding to front-line direct services to kids," illustrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the IDP Provincial Office. These are not positions that an administrator or social worker could assume. These are highly specialized positions which come with unique skill sets and professional liaisons that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill.
Assigning the tasks of the IDP Advisors to regional MCFD staff would create a number of difficulties, including:
1. Loss of an internationally recognized, province-wide program providing leadership, vision, best practices, support, resources, guidance, training and collaboration in the field of Infant Development.
2. Loss of highly trained and knowledgeable professionals in the field of Infant Development.
3. Loss of this expertise will detrimentally impact the development of any new provincial programs or initiatives intended to improve serves to young children at risk and their families.
4. Loss of consistency and fragmentation of IDP’s across the province will lead to greater regional differences and could possibly deteriorate the quality of services provided to clients in certain regions over time. It may also be more difficult for a child to continue recieving IDP services if the family moves to a region that has developed different practices.
5. No effective way to maintain current professional standards, best practices or impliment the high quality program that currently exists. It would also be difficult to address new program needs including incorporating new research or medical findings, implementing new intervention practices/programs, providing specialized resources to IDP Consultants and families throughout the province, etc.
6. Loss of a strong provincial advocate who understands the needs for our youngest developmentally at-risk children and their families and the family centred approach proven so successful in providing effective services to a wide variety of families.
7. Loss of provincial IDP training and conferences (e.g. Early Years Conference, In-service training, UBC Summer institues, BC Early Hearing training, assessment training, etc.) to ensure that all IDP consultants have the skills and support needed to assess and monitor each infant’s progress according to their specific developmental and medical needs and to develop and impliment a wide variety of effective early intervention strategies that can be delivered by the parents in the child’s home.
8. Small regional programs would be vulnerable to the “revolving door” of frequently changing MCFD staff who may have little or no training in the field of Infant Development, may not understand the unique and immediate needs of this fragile population or may not value a family-centred approach to service provision.
9. Loss of up-to-date information to IDP consultants regarding current trends, new assessment tools, new resources, innovative early intervention strategies, up-to-date medical information and research information, etc
10. Loss of a supportive professional network , including the IDP website, IDP contact list, annual In-services, monthly conference calls, the provincial IDP Manual, etc.
11. Loss of the primary source for the development and review of IDP policy and procedures, program guidance, professional support and mentoring for new consultants.
While I understand the MCFD’s reason for this decision, “The decision to eliminate the advisor positions is part of our effort to reduce administrative costs.” I can’t help but worry that there is more to this sudden action than just financial concerns. It makes no sense that the Minister gave only two days notice that the contract for the Provincial Office for the Infant Development Program would end when, at the September 10th Provincial Steering Committee meeting, MCFD announced that a communication plan would be presented outlining any proposed changes to the IDP Provincial office. But there was no discussion regarding a plan nor was there any communication regarding the closure of the IDP of BC. No one from the Provincial Steering Committee or the IDP Provincial Office was every contacted by the ministry prior to this decision.
If this was just about saving money, why was there no discussion about where the Infant Development Program may be able to cut back on spending? Why was this decision implemented so abruptly and inconsiderately? Why would the MCFD break its commitment to provide a communication plan to discuss proposed changes to the members of the Provincial Steering Committee? And why would the ministry, only two weeks later, act counter to that announcement? What prevented the Ministry from meeting with the Provincial Steering Committee as planned to engage informed committee members in productive discussion and collaborative decision making?
Having worked for the government, I know that nothing happens that quickly. This had to be a decision made months ago, perhaps even before the minister took office.
I remember former judge, Ted Hughes, urging an end to the constant turnover of MCFD Ministers in his 2006 review of the child welfare system. The upheaval, he believed, had taken a toll on the ministry's ability to set direction, frame goals and make progress. I also remember Carol James’ comment when the third minister in three years was appointed last June; “But I'm concerned,” she said, “I'm concerned that it sends a message ... that [the new minister will] be there to manage the cuts instead of improve services." I believe that this is what is now happening. The minister is simply cutting programs without an opportunity to set goals or engage in meaningful consultation that is necessary to ensure service standards.
According to the MCFD’s Final Report of the Transition Steering Committee on the Implementation of the Recommendation from the BC Children and Youth Review , it clearly states, “MCFD is committed to designing and implementing an integrated service delivery system in which decision making, resources and services are decentralized to regions and communities.” This decision is not about maintaining high quality services within budget cuts. It is about transferring control of MCFD funded programs to regional MCFD staff. I worry that the decision to close the IDP Provincial Office is simply a result of MCFD’s new direction for providing services to children and youth and was not based on understanding how the IDP functions or considering the very real consequences of shutting down the heart of this program. Make no mistake; this decision will essentially kill this well-respected, internationally recognized, quality program that has been serving BC families for 35 years.
I am also concerned that this move to have MCFD staff oversee this very specialized program could shift the program’s focus away from family-centered early intervention to providing services that support the child protection mandate of the MCFD. This could profoundly alter the nature and practice of IDP services currently guided by the Provincial Office.
I strongly urge the Minister for Children and Family Development, the Deputy Minister and our Premier to carefully consider the consequences of this sudden action, discuss other possibilities with the Provincial Steering Committee as planned, and familiarize yourselves with the many important functions of the IDP Provincial Office. If the goal is to strengthen regional services, the IDP is currently structured to provide this with Regional Advisors already in place. If the goal is to reduce the budget by $300,000, then please consult with the Provincial Steering Committee and the Provincial IDP of BC as planned to see where budget cuts can be made with the least amount of impact to the program and the services our families depend on.
I thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response to the issues and concerns raised in this letter. In trust that you will take appropriate measures to rectify this situation, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Kate Pinsonneault
Program Coordinator
CC:
Claire Trevena, MLA
IDP of BC
Premier Gordon Campbell
premier@gov.bc.ca
Mary Polack, Minister Children and Family Development
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca
Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister, Children and Family Development
MCF. DeputyMinisterOffice@gov.bc.ca
October 9, 2009.
Dear Honourable Members of the BC Legislature,
The MCFD’s recent announcement to close the office of the Provincial Advisor to the Infant Development Programme, which has been in place since 1975, is devastating news for our staff and families. It really makes me wonder if our new minister truly understands the dynamic role the provincial office plays in ensuring that vulnerable children are receiving the best care at the earliest age possible. While I acknowledge the need to cut back on bureaucratic spending, it is important to understand that the IDP of BC Office is not an administrative office. It is a bustling centre providing information, support and resources to families and direction, training and clinicial supervision to IDP Consultants throughout the province. As well, the provincial advisor works closely with medical professionals, researchers and ministry personnel to ensure that the program is incorporating up-to-date interventions, responding to current statistical trends, and integrating ministry initiatives. In fact, almost all of the administration that is required for the Infant Development Program is carried out by the contracted agencies - not by the Provincial IDP Office.
Cutting the IDP provincial office is not eliminating a level of administrative bureaucracy, it is more like cutting off the head of one of the most valued programs we have for children and families. This office ensures that there is a constant flow of information and support between IDP consultants and the families they serve and the MCFD, medical professionals and researchers in the fields of early brain development and infant care.
For a cost of only $300,000 a year, BC tax payers receive a provincial program that can boast:
• 194 Infant Development Consultants working with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens with the provincial office providing the clinical support, training, up-to-date information and resources needed to provide high quality early intervention to our youngest children with medical conditions, sensory impairments or developmental delays.
• Over 8000 families served annually, benefiting from the IDP provincial office which provides information on child development and available medical services, as well as referral services, needed resources, links to associations, effective early intervention strategies, and connections to professionals and other parents who are know how to best provide for infants with certain medical conditions.
• Evidence-based research and annual statistical information that is collected, shared and used to improve services for infants and children at risk in BC (e.g.; UBC, Human Early Learning Partnership, Health Authorities, Centre for Rural Health Research, etc.).
• Implementation of well-planned and coordinated provincial initiatives (e.g., BC Early Hearing Program, Infant Mental Health, Supported Child Development, Aboriginal IDP, etc).
• Well-trained and supported professional staff providing high quality services that are consistent throughout the province.
The office of the IDP of BC regularly updates the IDP Policy and Procedure Manual reflecting current research findings, best practices and new program supports to families. Our Provincial Advisor has worked diligently with MCFD, medical professionals, researchers and international experts in the field of early child development to ensure that the Infant Development Program of BC remains strong, current and effective.
The five part-time Regional Advisors make certain that each of the 194 IDP consultants in the province has the information, support and resources they need to provide effective early interventions to the children they serve. They also make sure that information flows between the front line workers through the provincial office to the ministry, researchers and medical professionals. The Provincial Office is structured to ensure that this MCFD funded program provides a consistently high quality service throughout the province.
For us at the Northern tip of Vancouver Island, we know that when a child is found to have a rare medical condition, information, expertise and resources are only an e-mail away. Without the IDP Provincial Office, we would have to spend days if not weeks researching the condition, consulting with doctors, medical professionals and therapists trying to find developmentally appropriate interventions, and then hunting down needed resources for the child and family. Currently, all we need to do is call the IDP Provincial Office and the word is out through the IDP network. Usually the same day, we are linked to current and relevant information, resources and expertise.
The people working at the Provincial Office have dedicated their lives to improving outcomes for infants at risk. They are very involved and knowledgeable about early child development, medical interventions, brain development research, early learning initiatives and family-centred practices. They are abreast of current trends, best practices and effective interventions for infants at risk. For the minister to say, "The fact remains that these are administrative positions that we can fulfill the duties of within the ministry, and that allows us to direct increased funding to front-line direct services to kids," illustrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the IDP Provincial Office. These are not positions that an administrator or social worker could assume. These are highly specialized positions which come with unique skill sets and professional liaisons that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill.
Assigning the tasks of the IDP Advisors to regional MCFD staff would create a number of difficulties, including:
1. Loss of an internationally recognized, province-wide program providing leadership, vision, best practices, support, resources, guidance, training and collaboration in the field of Infant Development.
2. Loss of highly trained and knowledgeable professionals in the field of Infant Development.
3. Loss of this expertise will detrimentally impact the development of any new provincial programs or initiatives intended to improve serves to young children at risk and their families.
4. Loss of consistency and fragmentation of IDP’s across the province will lead to greater regional differences and could possibly deteriorate the quality of services provided to clients in certain regions over time. It may also be more difficult for a child to continue recieving IDP services if the family moves to a region that has developed different practices.
5. No effective way to maintain current professional standards, best practices or impliment the high quality program that currently exists. It would also be difficult to address new program needs including incorporating new research or medical findings, implementing new intervention practices/programs, providing specialized resources to IDP Consultants and families throughout the province, etc.
6. Loss of a strong provincial advocate who understands the needs for our youngest developmentally at-risk children and their families and the family centred approach proven so successful in providing effective services to a wide variety of families.
7. Loss of provincial IDP training and conferences (e.g. Early Years Conference, In-service training, UBC Summer institues, BC Early Hearing training, assessment training, etc.) to ensure that all IDP consultants have the skills and support needed to assess and monitor each infant’s progress according to their specific developmental and medical needs and to develop and impliment a wide variety of effective early intervention strategies that can be delivered by the parents in the child’s home.
8. Small regional programs would be vulnerable to the “revolving door” of frequently changing MCFD staff who may have little or no training in the field of Infant Development, may not understand the unique and immediate needs of this fragile population or may not value a family-centred approach to service provision.
9. Loss of up-to-date information to IDP consultants regarding current trends, new assessment tools, new resources, innovative early intervention strategies, up-to-date medical information and research information, etc
10. Loss of a supportive professional network , including the IDP website, IDP contact list, annual In-services, monthly conference calls, the provincial IDP Manual, etc.
11. Loss of the primary source for the development and review of IDP policy and procedures, program guidance, professional support and mentoring for new consultants.
While I understand the MCFD’s reason for this decision, “The decision to eliminate the advisor positions is part of our effort to reduce administrative costs.” I can’t help but worry that there is more to this sudden action than just financial concerns. It makes no sense that the Minister gave only two days notice that the contract for the Provincial Office for the Infant Development Program would end when, at the September 10th Provincial Steering Committee meeting, MCFD announced that a communication plan would be presented outlining any proposed changes to the IDP Provincial office. But there was no discussion regarding a plan nor was there any communication regarding the closure of the IDP of BC. No one from the Provincial Steering Committee or the IDP Provincial Office was every contacted by the ministry prior to this decision.
If this was just about saving money, why was there no discussion about where the Infant Development Program may be able to cut back on spending? Why was this decision implemented so abruptly and inconsiderately? Why would the MCFD break its commitment to provide a communication plan to discuss proposed changes to the members of the Provincial Steering Committee? And why would the ministry, only two weeks later, act counter to that announcement? What prevented the Ministry from meeting with the Provincial Steering Committee as planned to engage informed committee members in productive discussion and collaborative decision making?
Having worked for the government, I know that nothing happens that quickly. This had to be a decision made months ago, perhaps even before the minister took office.
I remember former judge, Ted Hughes, urging an end to the constant turnover of MCFD Ministers in his 2006 review of the child welfare system. The upheaval, he believed, had taken a toll on the ministry's ability to set direction, frame goals and make progress. I also remember Carol James’ comment when the third minister in three years was appointed last June; “But I'm concerned,” she said, “I'm concerned that it sends a message ... that [the new minister will] be there to manage the cuts instead of improve services." I believe that this is what is now happening. The minister is simply cutting programs without an opportunity to set goals or engage in meaningful consultation that is necessary to ensure service standards.
According to the MCFD’s Final Report of the Transition Steering Committee on the Implementation of the Recommendation from the BC Children and Youth Review , it clearly states, “MCFD is committed to designing and implementing an integrated service delivery system in which decision making, resources and services are decentralized to regions and communities.” This decision is not about maintaining high quality services within budget cuts. It is about transferring control of MCFD funded programs to regional MCFD staff. I worry that the decision to close the IDP Provincial Office is simply a result of MCFD’s new direction for providing services to children and youth and was not based on understanding how the IDP functions or considering the very real consequences of shutting down the heart of this program. Make no mistake; this decision will essentially kill this well-respected, internationally recognized, quality program that has been serving BC families for 35 years.
I am also concerned that this move to have MCFD staff oversee this very specialized program could shift the program’s focus away from family-centered early intervention to providing services that support the child protection mandate of the MCFD. This could profoundly alter the nature and practice of IDP services currently guided by the Provincial Office.
I strongly urge the Minister for Children and Family Development, the Deputy Minister and our Premier to carefully consider the consequences of this sudden action, discuss other possibilities with the Provincial Steering Committee as planned, and familiarize yourselves with the many important functions of the IDP Provincial Office. If the goal is to strengthen regional services, the IDP is currently structured to provide this with Regional Advisors already in place. If the goal is to reduce the budget by $300,000, then please consult with the Provincial Steering Committee and the Provincial IDP of BC as planned to see where budget cuts can be made with the least amount of impact to the program and the services our families depend on.
I thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response to the issues and concerns raised in this letter. In trust that you will take appropriate measures to rectify this situation, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Kate Pinsonneault
Program Coordinator
CC:
Claire Trevena, MLA
IDP of BC
Letter from K. Mary- Public Health Nurse
I am writing to express my sadness at recent funding cuts to the provincial Infant Development Program and the Books for Babies program.
As a public health nurse working with young children, I am aware of how these programs made a huge difference in the lives of the families that I see. While I know that local IDP services will continue, the provincial program was essential in co-ordinating services, particularly to smaller areas where the resources are fewer.
Delivering the Books for Babies gift bag has been one of the happiest things that I do for new families. Along with giving them information about their new babies and introducing them to public health services, the new book is something that is a gift far greater than the paper it is printed on. The book, and the information given in the library bag, is a way of demonstrating to parents that nurses, librarians, and their government put literacy as a priority and that we want to practically support families. It actually shows everyday people that the government cares enough to give something really lovely to them personally at one of the most important times in their lives.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Vancouver Sun ran several articles leading up to their annual “Raise a Reader” campaign, which always coincides with the wonderful “Word on the Street” festival. Many of these articles referred to the proliferation of information (much of it done by local researchers) that proves the strong link between support given in a child’s early years and healthy growth and development. It is no secret that if we give attention to children in their first few years, there are huge benefits to the child’s neurologic and social development. Studies have also shown the cost to society if these children are not supported in these crucial years. In view of this research, it is sad indeed that you have chosen to withdraw this funding.
I also find it very interesting that political leaders have been quoted in these articles both this year and in previous years, giving their own personal support to the importance of literacy. This is a confusing message indeed.
As nurses and public sector workers, we will mourn this loss but over the years we have learned to be flexible and resilient in managing cuts to our funding. We all can appreciate the need to manage a budget well, but it is very hard to understand why such important services are being cut. The real losers here are the families. And the cost to government may end up being larger in the long run.
I urge you to please reconsider these programs. We will truly miss them.
Karen May, Public Health Nurse
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