L. Rappard-Letter to Provincial Government

Honorable Mary Polak, 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
Ralph Sultan, MLA, West Vancouver-Capilano
Maurine. Karagianis, NDP Opposition Critic for Children and Families
Maurine. karagianis.mla@leg.bc.ca
Carole James, Leader of NDP
carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca

Dear Ministers,


I am extremely concerned about the recent cut of the office of the Provincial Advisor to the Infant Development Programme; I can only think that the decision has been made without a true understanding of what this cut would mean.
Those people who have a close working relationship with the IDP are fully aware of its outstanding nature and value. Why is it that “The Infant Development Programme of British Columbia” is considered by international experts in the field of child development to be one of the best programs of its kind in the World? In large part it is the level of knowledge and skill of its staff and this can be attributed directly to the Provincial Office. The superior knowledge of the Provincial Advisor in advances in early intervention and infant development has been passed down to IDP consultants since the office inception 30years ago. Tireless efforts on her part to keep current on all developments affecting infants and young children has made the programme what it is today.
I have been with the IDP for 28 of those thirty years; I came as a registered Clinical Psychologist from England and had it not been for the high standard of training and program service I would not have stayed with IDP. I was impressed by the integrity of the progamme and still am. The Programme has a clear vision, mission, and professional standards; without the Provincial Office these will be lost. In the absence of the current first class, up to date training the programme will deteriorate, will not attract good staff, and this will affect our most vulnerable children and families.
It is entirely mistaken to think that cutting the offices of the Provincial Advisors to the Infant Development Programme, Supported Child Development and Aboriginal IDP is a saving on administration and bureaucracy; it will in very short order affect the quality of services given to families.
The Infant Development Programme is respected service, which is undoubtedly a credit to BC, I urge you to reconsider cutting these offices.


Yours sincerely


Lesley Rappard
Former Assistant Director of the Vancouver Infant Development Program.