Cuts to autism services cost us all in the long run

Coquitlam Now

Interested in serving on the Community Action Program for Children Advisory Committee?

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in BC is looking for individuals to serve on the Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) Advisory Committee. The purpose of the CAPC Advisory Committee is to make recommendations on CAPC-specific funding and policy, including program implementation and evaluation, to PHAC. By participating as an Advisory Committee member, an individual has the opportunity to provide input that will shape the delivery of the program in BC. PHAC is currently seeking representation from the following:

Autism service cuts cruel

The Daily Courier (Kelowna) Sept. 16 marked a sad anniversary for children with special needs in this province. Last year on this date, B.C.'s Children and Family Development Minister Mary Polak announced funding cuts of more than $3 million for autism services for children under age six. As a result of this decision, Victoria's Queen Alexandra Centre for Child Health laid off 40 highly trained behavioural interventionists and closed its autism behaviour intervention program.

Criminal records checks: an update

Health science professionals who work with children have been receiving employer notifications regarding the requirement for criminal records checks. As a result of amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act which came into effect in January 2008, all employees who work with or have unsupervised access to children (under age 19) must undergo a criminal records check every five years ... not just upon hire.  The deadline for compliance is December 31, 2010.