1) End Waitlists Now campaign - BC FamilyNet is urging all members and supporters to join our community's January 2009 campaign to address mounting waitlists and other barriers to access for adults with developmental disabilities and children and youth with special needs. Community groups are coming together this month to make the public aware that over two thousand adults and thousands of children and youth are being denied access to vital supports and services. The campaign will climax with a "virtual rally" at the end of January/beginning of February.
Please join the campaign by registering at the http://www.endwaitlists-now.org and visit their campaign website to learn more about how you can support this effort: www.endwaitlists-now.org
Please help us get the word out by sharing your story if you or your loved one are waiting for services and by inviting others to join the campaign.
FaceBook users can also join the FaceBook group End Waitlists Now
2) BC FamilyNet's AGM was held on Dec 5. The new Opposition CLBC critic, Vancouver-Fairview MLA Jen McGinn, was invited to join the meeting as a guest, after she requested an opportunity to find out more about our organization and families concerns.
President's Message to the BC FamilyNet AGM.
3) BC's Independent Representative for Children and Youth issued her follow-up report on services for children and youth with special needs. Although some work is being done to address key issues, the Rep expressed concern that not enough progress has been made since she raised a number of concerns earlier in 2008.
4) A delegation of BC FamilyNet Board members was invited to a very brief introductory meeting with the new CLBC Minister, Rich Coleman on Nov. 18. BC FamilyNet's follow-up letter to Minister Coleman sums up key discussion points.
5) BC FamilyNet was invited to a meeting with senior MCFD and CLBC staff November 17 to discuss the latest restructuring plans (CLBC moved to Coleman's new Ministry for Housing and Social Assistance, while services for children and youth with special needs will move from CLBC to MCFD's regionalized child and family services. Premier Campbell ordered these changes in June 2007 without any community consultation. Initial plans to complete the transfer by spring 2009 proved impractical, so the process will now extend into fall of 2009. MCFD plans community consultations to get input about the new children's structure in the new year. BC FamilyNet stressed the need to address budget challenges, to improve consultation and communication with families, and to focus on improving front-line services and supports available to BC children and families in their own communities. (ref. CLBC Service Delivery Model Review: Queenswood Consulting Group - Interview Questions: Response of BC FamilyNet Board – September 17, 2008)
Who We Are and What We Do
Community Feedback
Family Net is an independent provincial network that provides a provincial voice for children and youth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
We present the issues and concerns of these children, adults and their families to the Ministry of Children and Family Development and other relevant ministries, agencies and organizations. For a complete history visit the history page.
We influence how supports and services for children and youth with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities and their families are planned, provided and delivered. We network with each other and with the community at large regarding relevant and emerging issues affecting us.
We would love to hear from more families and individuals as we seek to rebuild FamilyNet as a major uniting force representing families, adults, youth and children in defense of community living in B. C. Our Board is committed to listening to all family perspectives. The differing needs and desires of different families and individuals are all equally worthy of our respect and consideration and we will try to present their issues and concerns to government through firm, proactive advocacy efforts. Our goal is to promote consensus and common-sense solutions, to operate in an open, transparent and inclusive manner and to stand up and speak strongly on behalf of families when we need to.
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Updated: 4/1/2009
BC FamilyNet Update
From our Members and the Public
Stories & Letters outlining concerns and impact of funding and service cuts.
