by Kyle Wells [email protected] Parents concerned over provincial cuts to Community Living BC (CLBC) services for citizens with developmental disabilities met with Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA and NDP critic for CLBC Nicholas Simons to share their concerns.
Local parent Ann Clements, whose daughter lives in a group home, organized the meeting with other families in response to ongoing reductions in services in the province and their concerns over further cuts here in Powell River. Clements reported to the Peak that 35 family members attended the meeting with Simons, which look place at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre.
Clements said that while the families recognize the economic concerns in BC today, they do not believe services for those “most vulnerable” is the appropriate place to be cutting back. They told Simons that news of group home closures, such as a proposed closure in Langley, and the fact that homes have either been closed or nearly closed in Powell River before, prompted them to seek his help.
Simons said the main issue is a lack of adequate funding for the crown corporation.
He said a financial shortfall is behind the closing of around 60 group homes in BC since 2009 and further cutbacks to many programs and support systems. Simons told families at the meeting that he believes the services CLBC provides are absolutely essential and should be a priority of the government.
“Parents are afraid,” he said. “The biggest issues are the closure of group homes, the lack of support when young people turn 19 coming to the adult system, the lack of oversight in home shares...If our level of support for people with developmental disabilities is going to be based on simply concerns over what it costs, then what standard do we accept in our society?”
The provincial government announced, on the same day as the meeting, an investment of an additional $8.9 million in funding to CLBC. The money, $6 million of which is coming from the province and the other $2.9 million from “deferred CLBC Personalized Supports initiative funding,” will be used to “provide new and additional supports and services to about 540 people,” said a press release from CLBC.
Simons said this gesture does not address the scale of the shortfalls in the system, but does serve as a recognition from government that current funding for CLBC is not sufficient.
“Obviously, the pressure that families and advocates are putting on government is making them aware,” said Simons of the funding announcement, “but I have to say that while appreciated, obviously it really doesn’t address the crisis that exists.”
In a letter from the ministry of social development to Simons dated August 29, 2011, the ministry reported that as of June 30, 2011 there were 1,201 people requesting new or increased residential services but that the “majority of these individuals are already receiving support and services from CLBC.”
“When you see that many people waiting for residential care, you wonder how it’s possible that the government can be slashing group homes,” said Simons. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Simons believes Powell River is not off the hook when it comes to funding cutbacks, despite families and Simons preventing the closure of a group home on Joyce Avenue in the summer of 2010. Simons said he knows in Powell River that group home operators and agencies are concerned over requests for funding cuts and Simons is concerned other group homes in the community could be targeted for closure.
Attendees of the meeting decided to form an email and phone advocacy group to organize any further steps. Simons encouraged the group “to be vocal and make our concerns known,” wrote Clements in an email. He offered to arrange meetings with government officials should the group wish to come to Victoria to advocate for family members.
“We just have to continue pointing out to government that this should not be an area that’s considered optional spending,” said Simons. “This is a core service that government needs to provide.”
Premier Christy Clark announced on Monday, September 26 that Harry Bloy is being demoted from minister of social development, which oversees CLBC, to the junior role of minister of state for multiculturalism. Clark said the move is in part because of Bloy’s handling of communicating CLBC changes to services. Stephanie Cadieux, formerly minister of labour, citizens’ services and open government, is replacing Bloy.
