T. & V. Smith: Letter to Provincial Government

November 2, 2009

Honourable Mary Polak, Minister
Ministry of Children & Family Development
PO Box 9057 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Minister.MCF@gov.bc.ca

Dear Minister Polak

We are writing about the decision to close the Provincial Office of the IDP. We want you to know what a difference this office has played in our lives including with Tanya, 22 years ago and with Joshua over the past 16 months.

We were with the IDP at the beginning – 22 years ago. Tanya was born with meconium aspiration. IDP was valuable then but the added training and information over the years we consider it to be even more valuable now – with what’s been added. Joshua was born with a true knot in his umbilical cord so has been receiving IDP since he was 3 weeks old.

With Joshua, infant massage has been very effective in calming him. Responsive teaching has helped him with social play and trust – they are the solidity of the whole program being used for Joshua. Tanya attended the Pathways to Parenting: encouraging healthy social and emotional development in young children parenting course. The information is used every day.

We understand that each of these programs was brought to B.C. and IDP consultants were trained because of the Provincial Office of IDP. As ideas and values expand, people need to stay current, to be trained so they can be informed and then train the parents.

We cannot fathom that you would consider sending out untrained personnel and expect them to be helpful in the development of a child. No experience – no training – no go.

Please reconsider your decision to cut this office.

Sincerely,


Tanya Smith Vicki Smith
Box 1444, Merritt, B.C. Box 1444, Merritt, B.C.
V1K 1B8 V1K 1B8

Pc: Lesley Du Toit, Deputy Minister
Premier Gordon Campbell
Maurine Karagianis, Opposition MCFD critic
Carole James, Leader of Official Opposition
Harry Lali, MLA