AiMHi-IDP Letter of Support

October 1, 2009

To the Honourable Minister Mary Polak;
Re: Infant Development Program Office of the Provincial Advisor Contract Renewal

On September 30, 2009, Infant Development Programs across British Columbia were confronted with the abrupt closure of the Office of the Provincial Advisor for Infant Development Programs. This is an alarming turn of events and it is a mistake.
Provincial Office represents the needs of families and young children from across British Columbia by ensuring that service providers throughout the province are well trained, well connected and well supported. The Provincial Office provides direct services to families of infants with disabilities or who are at risk for developmental delays, over 194 Infant Development Consultants, and to other service providers who share a commitment to early childhood development.
Many families in Northern British Columbia live in isolation from specialized services and established social networks. Infant Development Programs across Northern British Columbia rely on the resources of provincial and regional offices to ensure that families living in the north have access to high quality early intervention services. To sever this link to would be to sever the link to over 36 years of research and knowledge in best practice for British Columbia’s youngest citizens.
The move to close the Office of the Provincial Advisor marks more than just the loss of leadership for Infant Development Programs across British Columbia. Without the knowledge, passion and expertise provided by Provincial and Regional Advisors, families throughout British Columbia will lose access to a rich network of support and resources. Coordination at this level cannot be achieved on a regional scale.
Decisions made today are directly linked to the outcome of future generations of British Columbians. Make the correct decision for families in British Columbia; renew the contract for Provincial and Regional Offices for the Infant Development Program.
Sincerely,


Shelley Anderson Lisa Engstrom Judie Smith
AiMHi, IDP consultant AiMHi, IDP consultant AiMHi IDP consultant