Letter to Premier, Minister and Dep. Minister from J. Nierbergall, Uvic

Dear Premier Gordon Campbell, Honorable Mary Polack, Lesley Du Toit;

My name is Juliana Niebergall and I am a former Infant Development
Consultant with the Infant Development Program (IDP) of B.C.

Upon hearing of the closure of the Provincial Office of the IDP I was
saddened, disappointed in the actions of my Provincial Government and
frustrated. I am writing to tell you all that the Provincial Office of the
IDP was NOT simply an administrative and bureaucratic entity. The office
provided direct support and guidance to individual ID Programs throughout
B.C.
The Provincial Office facilitated/coordinated/supported ALL of the IDP's
trainings, conference calls, connecting families from various areas of the
province, and a long list of other indispensable services to B.C. families
and their IDP consultants.

The IDP of B.C. is a world renowned program and a leader in the field of
Early Intervention. What does it say to other countries with similar
programs that our government has cut the governing body, coordinators and
Provincial Advisor to the program?

Unfortunately, in an attempt to save $300,000 a year, it will in fact cost
more money in the long term to provide the same level of services to
families in B.C.

I ask that each of you thoroughly consider the recommendations of the 2006
review of the ID Program by Zena Simces and Susan Ross for the Ministry of
Child and Family Development. I have included a link to the report below.

http://www.idpofbc.ca/IDP_Review_Final_Report_November_2006.pdf

As a B.C. taxpayer and a professional in the field of Early Intervention,
I urge you to reconsider your decision to cut the funding to the
Provincial Office of the IDP.

I felt privileged to work for the IDP and have access to the Provincial
Office, and the Regional Advisor's. The loss of this Provincial Office
will directly affect the professionals associated with it, the overall
functioning and effectiveness of the program, as well as the many children
and families connected with the ID Program.

Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Juliana Niebergall


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Juliana C. Niebergall
Child and Youth Care Worker, BA, Uvic