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