Community living partners call for $70M to stem crisis amid new reports of abuses
The BC Community Living Action Group today issued a press release and backgrounder explaining the funding gap underlying BC's growing community living crisis. MOMS is a partner in BC CLAG, which includes other provincial family advocacy groups, self advocates, contracted community agencies and sector employees.
"For immediate release: August 31, 2011: The BC Community Living Action Group (BC‐CLAG) strongly urges Premier Christy Clark to act immediately to approve $70 million in new provincial funding to stem the province’s growing community living crisis.
"A BC‐CLAG analysis of Community Living BC (CLBC) projections shows that at least $70 million is needed immediately to address the existing support backlog. Each year, hundreds of youths with developmental disabilities reach the age of 19 and turn to CLBC as they age out of supports funded by the Ministry for Children and Families. Despite this fact, CLBC’s operating budget to serve this population has remained static from 2010 through 2014 at $681 million annually..." Read more
The announcement follows more troubling news reports on the risks and devastating human impacts for adults with developmental disabilities and the aging families trying to support many of them without critical supports. The reports contradict assurances from the BC Premier and Minister Harry Bloy that no one would be forced to move from their home under CLBC's "service redesign" program, which is seeking to reduce care costs to cover the provincial funding shortfall.
BC CLAG and its partner groups have been appealing to Premier Christy Clark to take urgent action for months now. In addition to resolving the funding shortfall, CLAG and its partners have repeatedly urged the Premier to establish independent provincial oversight to monitor and report publicly on the health and safety of adults in government care. There is particular concern over the lack of monitoring to assess the impacts of CLBC's cost-cutting efforts, such as closing group homes and forcibly relocating adults to lower-cost, unlicenced private foster arrangements.
Media reports:
- The Province: Editorial: Program cuts hurt the most vulnerable
- CTV News: Advocates fear cutbacks put the disabled at risk
- Vancouver Sun: Family members decry closures of group homes
- News 1130: Special needs families upset over funding cuts
- Richmond Review: Families speak out over group home closure
- Vancouver Observer: Disabled adults and families devastated by province's proposed group home closures
- Vancouver Sun: Government misleading families over group home closures, NDP says
- Victoria Times Colonist: Paul Willcocks: CLBC service cuts hurt most vulnerable
- Vancouver Sun Op Ed: Alanna Hendren: The crisis in BC's community living sector
- Vancouver Sun: Group home closures shock, horrify families
Take action!
When Christy Clark became BC's Premier, she promised to listen and to put families first. Despite hundreds of letters from desperate families and appeals from the public, the NDP Opposition and the news media, she has so far failed to do either.
If you haven't yet added your voice, please consider writing the Premier at [email protected] and ask her to take immediate action by investing $70 million to restore the devastating cuts in community living.
Dawn & Cyndi, MOMS
CLAG revs up campaign as Premier, Bloy refuse to meet/address growing crisis
The BC Community Living Action Group (BC CLAG ), the unprecedented partnership of family groups (including MOMS), agencies, employees and self-advocate organizations formed to fight the BC government's devastating cuts and "service redesign," has issued an important update and appeal for support today.
The changes being implemented by CLCB are drastically eroding many critical provincially-funded community living services that are supposed to support adults with dev. disabilities over age 19 and their families.
Extensive community consultations resulted in a consensus report and recommendations issued by BC CLAG last April. Premier Christy Clark, Minister Harry Bloy and CLBC's leadership have all refused to acknowledge the concerns or the recommendations outlined in that report. Since March 2011, BC CLAG has repeatedly asked Minister Bloy and Premier Clark to meet urgently with us to discuss the systemic concerns and our recommendations to stem the growing crisis. Both have declined so far to meet with BC CLAG.
In light of the Premier's refusal to engage or address the growing concerns, the BC CLAG partners have continued to meet and strategize on next steps. We are committed to stepping up the pressure on the BC Premier and her government, until she acknowledges and responds to the very serious crisis unfolding in our province.
Meanwhile, the news media continue to highlight the plight of adults and families. MOMS applauds the many families and stakeholders who have been stepping forward and sacrificing their families' privacy in order to alert the public to what is happening.
Now we need your help to support the next phase of our province-wide campaign. Please read the BC CLAG Update to see what you can do.
Thanks to all those who are standing up with us to emphasize that adults with developmental disabilities and their families are valued citizens who deserve to live meaningful lives, safely, in dignity and with the respect and support of their own communities.
Dawn & Cyndi, MOMS
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Premier vows to help families featured on CTV expose: But what about the rest?
But Christy Clark's response only addresses specific cases cited by CTV, so MOMS urges other families denied support to write the Premier seeking similar relief.
After weeks of pressure from families, advocacy groups and opposition MLAs, CTV's "Investigators" confronted Premier Christy Clark on Friday with more undeniable evidence of the plight of families denied critical supports for adults with developmental disabilities, forcing her to finally admit that the crisis facing families and adults who rely on CLBC-funded supports is "not acceptable."
In two reports that led the 6 o'clock news on Friday, CTV's Mi-Jung Lee and Jim Beatty reported that Clark promised action to address the concerns raised by two families via CTV in the past week. One of the families has waited eight years to access services. Watch a replay of the two CTV news reports here (Click on the link "Correspondents on services for the disabled" to watch full details of both stories) .
The reporters suggested that negative media publicity and a possible upcoming election may have been a key consideration in the Premier's decision to back down from her insistence just a day earlier in the BC Legislature that a focus on growing the economy was the better way to help families impacted by CLBC's funding crisis.
The premier did not say whether other families facing waitlists or cuts would also see similar relief.
MOMS, along with other community living advocacy groups, is therefore urging other families who are waitlisted, who have been denied CLBC services or who have had their services cut to immediately contact the Premier to request that she intervene similarly on their behalf.
- Email Premier Christy Clark: [email protected]
To encourage a prompt response, please feel free to copy your request to any or all of the following:
- MOMS: [email protected]
- BCACL: [email protected]
- BC CLAG: [email protected]
- Opposition Critic for CLBC Nicholas Simons: [email protected]
If you don't get an appropriate response and wish to contact CTV's Investigators, email [email protected] or call 604-609-6333
Dawn & Cyndi, MOMS
Media, agencies, NDP contradict BC govt: confirm cuts, forced moves, intimidation
The Victoria Times Colonist is continuing to unravel the ugly details of BC's community living crisis, with two new investigative reports documenting the disturbing story that Premier Christy Clark and Minister Harry Bloy are desperately trying to keep under wraps. Earlier this week, columnist Paul Willcocks reported the shocking statistic that CLBC's funding per adult client will have been cut by almost 1/3 by 2013, based on recent trends and current budget projections. Today, reporter Lindsay Kines quoted families and agency leaders who confirmed the closure of group homes and forced relocations of residents, along with the intimidation of families and care providers as CLBC tries to muzzle public complaints.
This past week, the Developmental Disabilities Association, one of BC's largest agencies serving people with developmental disabilities, became the first CLBC-funded agency that has dared to step forward to publicly contradict the official claims that group homes are not being cut, in an update posted on the agency's website .
These reports provide more evidence that Premier Christy Clark, Minister for Community Living Harry Bloy, and the CLBC CEO Rick Mowles have all been lying to British Columbians with their repeated insistence that group homes and other services are not being cut.
Meanwhile, we continue to hear from more distraught families all around the province whose adult or minor children meet all eligibility criteria but either had existing services cut or are being denied desperately needed supports. But while many continue to be intimidated and afraid that speaking out will cost them the few services they've managed to secure, too many are now speaking out for political leaders to pretend all is well.
Opposition MLAs have also been helping to highlight the concerns of families in their constituencies, both in the media, and during Question Period, with more questions posed directly to Premier Clark today ( scroll down to line 1410 ).
And this Channel A News report illustrates the absurd lengths to which the Minister is going to deny the cuts (Hmm - hands up everyone who thinks a cut is not really a cut when it's a "change").
Families, groups, MLAs step up pressure: Community Living gaps highlighted
BC-CLAG marks key anniversary
MOMS will join a delegation of BC-CLAG reps and families at the BC Legislature on May 18 to mark a key milestone in CLBC's history and remind the BC Premier and elected representatives that families have been waiting for seven years for their promises to be honoured.
On May 19, 2004, then Deputy Premier Christy Clark introduced legislation to create Community Living BC, promising that:
" ...This legislation gives British Columbians with developmental disabilities and their families better options and more opportunities in their communities. They'll be able to look forward to a safer, healthier and better quality of life."
Today, Premier Clark''s 2004 promises remain unfulfilled, with fewer options and opportunities, cuts, denial of support and growing alarm over the safety, health and quality of life of vulnerable adults and families.
The anniversary coincides with Ms. Clark’s mandate to return to the Legislature as British Columbia’s new Premier and MLA for Vancouver Point Grey. Despite promises to listen and to put families first, Premier Clark and her Minister for Community Living have so far not agreed to meet with or respond to the concerns and reccomendations shared by families and community living stakeholders through BC-CLAG. Read the BC-CLAG press release
Recent media reports
The Victoria Times Colonist has a story here and an excellent letter to the editor on the concerns about cuts in adult community living and how the Minister misrepresented the increasingly vocal concerns voiced by community groups.
In the Fraser Valley, meanwhile, parent groups were also instrumental in helping to generate a series of reports in the local papers highlighting the dire challenges facing families who find thmselves in a "black hole" with all supports cut off once their children turn 19.
But Minister Harry Bloy responded that there would be no help forthcoming until provincial revenues increase (this despite revelations that the supposedly "revenue neutral" HST is actually bringing in millions more in revenues to Provincial coffers).
What you can do
Last week we asked families to come forward with their stories, and we want to thank everyone who contacted us - we were overwhelmed by the stories of enormous hardship and the brave efforts of families who continue to fight on. We will keep the contacts of all those who connected with us so that we can let you know of any further media opportunities.
Minister Bloy dismisses CL concerns
Opposition MLAs questioned Minister Harry Bloy on the BC Community Living Action Group report in Question Period today, as the Legislature resumed sitting.In responding, Minister Bloy demonstrated a deeply troubling lack of understanding of community living, with a number of statements that were factually incorrect, misleading and shockingly insensitive.
BC CLAG wrote to Minister Bloy six weeks ago asking to meet with him to discuss issues and concerns in community living. He has not yet acknowledged or responded to that request. Had Minister Bloy demonstrated some interest in listening to families, self-advocates and community groups, he might not be so shockingly ignorant of the issues and challenges that fall within his responsibility for community living.
Below are some of the false or misleading statements made to the Legislature today:
Minister Bloy stated:
"CLBC has a budget of well over $700 million a year."
"In fact, we have increased our budget every year."
FACT: According to CLBC's Service Plan CLBC's budget is less than $700 million a year. CLBC's Operating Budget has been frozen at $681 million since 2010 and the Provincial budget calls for it to be frozen at that level until 2014. Between 2002 and 2004, the community living budget was cut by 12%.
Community Living Action Group issues report, solution for growing crisis
Premier Clark urged to listen, put families first again
MOMS' Dawn Steele speaking at the launch of the BC-CLAG report and recommendations, April 2011
MOMS joined other family and community living organizations today at a media event to launch a major report and recommendations urging BC's new Premier, Christy Clark, to honour promises to listen and to start putting families first again.
The report was the result of broad community discussions, including two major public forums hosted in Victoria and Vancouver last fall, when community living groups came together to respond to growing complaints about cuts, forced relocations, denial of services and choices, and the exclusion of adults and their families from crucial life decisions.
The report reflects an unprecedented consensus among all major partners in community living -- agencies, families, self-advocates and employee groups -- and focusses on solutions that emerged from the community dialogue launched last fall. (See more details below)
Please visit the website of our community partnership, the BC Community Living Action Group , to view the report, recommendations and other information about this initiative.
Please join us!
We urge families to support our campaign by calling on BC's new Premier, Christy Clark, to honour her promises to start listening and to put families first again.
On May 19, 2004, Ms. Clark, who was then BC's Deputy Premier and Minister for Child & Family Development, introduced Bil 45, the legislation that created Community Living BC. In doing so, she promised:
"This legislation gives British Columbians with developmental disabilities and their families better options and more opportunities in their communities. They'll be able to look forward to a safer, healthier and better quality of life."
Unresolved complaints highlight need for independent Rep for adult services
We have received a number of enquiries recently from families expressing alarm and frustration with the failure of CLBC's complaints resoultion mechanisms. I thought it might be helpful to share a recent question received via our Website, along with some helpful advice kindly provided by BCACL staff and others, along with links/resources that others may find useful.
QUESTION: "Does CLBC allow outside (CLBC Quality Control) non-partial investigations into abuse and if so how do I make a request for one? I requested an investigation by CLBC Quality Control but was told I couldn’t access the results. They also have not done a proper investigation because they have not contacted anyone directly involved (ie: witnesses). Any ideas would be appreciated."
MOMS RESPONSE: I discussed your question with staff at the BC Association for Community Living, who have a better understanding of the legal & policy requirements than we do, and here is the response:
“My experience with investigations of abuse is that the third party should be the RCMP or local police. Once there is the involvement of police all other processes should stop pending the outcome. If you feel that the CLBC investigation has not been sufficient and you have concerns about harm done and/or safety of a person then involving the police is appropriate. The involvement of the police is not a matter of choice for CLBC or any other body, agency or service provider.”
UPDATE: Here's some additional advice from another veteran service provider:
McMartin: ‘After we’ve gone, then what?’
A great headline to another great column from Pete McMartin in the Vancouver Sun today, because that's the one thought that's never far from mind for any of us!
"Clay Knowlton is 64. His wife, Susan, is 61. Their daughter, Erin, is 32. Erin, who is autistic, is classified as low-functioning. Time, for the Knowltons, is an enemy.
"Clay and Susan have just so many years left to make sure their daughter will be taken care of after their deaths. She'll need housing. She'll need supervision. The Knowltons need the assurance that when they're dead, their daughter will be safe.
"The Knowltons are not alone. There are thousands of families in B.C. who feel the same anxiety, and who worry over the same question: After we're gone, then what?
"The Knowltons cannot entertain the idea of Erin living on her own. Nor do they like the idea of her going into the government's home-sharing program -essentially, foster care for young adults with disabilities. The quality of that care, they felt, could not be assured." Read more
This story highlights the unintended but predictable failures of the CLBC experiment, particularly the key underlying commitment to "personalised" supports. When that philosophy butts up against the reality of underfunding, you're left with endless waitlists or forced moves to lower-cost adult foster care with inadequate oversight. The result is ever more desperate families turning to solutions like this - to the horror of CLBC's architects who see a full circle back to institutionalization.
More abuse revealed: BCACL urges enquiry into special needs foster care
The BC Association for Community Living issued a press statement today stating that the Province's foster care system is failing youth with special needs, following another horrific case of abuse in which the caregive was not appropriately screened.
MOMS applauds BCACL's leadership and strongly endorses the concerns, which reflect the feedback from our provincial family network.
Last year, the BC government, through CLBC and MCFD, undertook a major "service redesign" program that cut funding to group homes serving adults and youths with developmental disabilities, forcing many individuals to be moved against their will into cheaper private foster /home share arrangements. Moms and other groups urged the Province to reconsider the cuts in light of the significant risks to these highly vulnerable individuals, especially after revelations that students and others were being recruited to provide care via Craigslist ads offering free housing and/or easy money to caregivers.
A key concern, which was echoed broadly at two public community meetings hosted by a coalition of community groups last fall, was the lack of an independent ombudsman or representative to ensure that the interests of individuals were protected as the Province continues to severely cut back existing service contracts and support levels to address growing waitlists.
MOMS is part of an unprecedented consensus among community living groups that have been continuing to meet to develop a coordinated response to the funding challenges, with more details expected to be released shortly.
Link to BCACL Press Release: "Foster care system failing youths with special needs"