[FEAT BC Admin]

In this topic area, discussion is about the fight to secure Government funding for your A.B.A. treatment program. It is also the place to talk about your thoughts and ideas about how to establish new Government programs specifically designed for autism treatment.

This is the place to hear input from parents who have fought for funding and won, as well as those who have fought for funding and would like to share their horror stories. There is a tendency to not share success stories once funding is secured. Please fight that tendency. By sharing our experience, we all become stronger.

 

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—-By FEAT BC (Freeman) on Saturday, January 3, 1998 – 03:16 pm:

-Hi everyone!

These are some things to think about in your dealings with government to help you to obtain support for your child’s Autism Treatment Program. These are my personal opinions and do not represent those of FEAT of BC or any other organization.

Many of these observations are based on my personal experiences (and I believe it poetic justice to help every parent avoid being systematically abused by their social worker the way I was).

Good luck to everyone! (Let’s all pull back the curtain on the Wizard of OZ).

Sabrina

 

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How To Fight for Funding for Autism Treatment and Appropriate School Placement

1. Establish a Paper Trail

Always take notes, documenting major points of all conversations with government and school officials.

This includes casual, in person conversations with social workers as well as ALL telephone conversations. All key points of discussion must be written down in your notes including the date and time of the discussion. This includes what was agreed upon, as well as what was not agreed upon.

Then the notes should be used to write a letter recapping the substance and content of the conversation. This letter must then be mailed or faxed to the person with whom you had the conversation. In addition, a copy must be kept in your file (see section on the icci game).

Why?

It is important to formalize the interaction between you and Government officials. In addition, everyone is put on notice that they must closely adhere to their responsibilities, regulations and laws., Furthermore, they must then consider the paper trail you have created. This lets everyone know that the interaction can become public and that any abuses of power and authority can be formally appealed and/or publicized.

In other words, they canit use discretion unfairly under the cloak of secrecy.

2. Submit all Requests in Writing

All your requests for your child must be submitted formally in writing with a copy included in your file and a copy, if necessary, sent to their immediate superiors.

3. Set Deadlines for Action

All formal requests for action must have a reasonable deadline set for that action. If no action or response is received by the deadline you have set (two weeks for example), then you will interpret the lack of response as a formal declination (a formal NO) of your requests.

Why Set Deadlines?

When bureaucrats do not want to do something, they will stall by ignoring you and your request. (As an aside, in the study of the bureaucracy, this is known as ithe power to do nothingi). They can string you along for years. When you have determined that the person you are interacting with is not inclined to help you or is not dealing in good faith, then you must take the initiative and formally label his/her behavior as obstructionist and de facto as a declination (a NO to your requests). This allows you to move to the next level of authority on your timetable to present your case. This takes the power to do nothing away from the bureaucrat with whom you are dealing. Simple stated, a bureaucrat who stalls and does nothing becomes irrelevant (use your invisible spray) and you move on to the next level of authority.

How to icci?

A cc. is a copy of your letter sent to someone other than the person you are writing. You put the cc. at the bottom left-hand corner of your letter followed by 2 spaces and the name of the person or people to whom you want to send a copy of the letter.

Who to icci to?

Sometimes it is best not to icci at all, especially in the early stages of the relationship (for example, your first letter to a social worker requesting assistance). This gives them the opportunity to do the right thing and does not present you as an overly combative person. When you start to run into problems, it is a good idea to send the icci to the 2 immediate superiors of the person you are having problems with. We do not recommend icciing all the way up the chain of command, since you want to give them a chance to solve the problem at the local level.

Why send a icci copy?

The reason for playing the icci game is that you want your interactions with the official to be known to his superior and possibly to other organizations so that 1) their action or inaction becomes a matter of record and 2) the individual knows he is being monitored. This helps minimize abuses of power and authority and helps encourage the official to meet their obligations and do the right thing.

What is the sequence of letters?

Find out the chain of command of the particular bureaucracy you are battling.

TOP

Minister
Deputy Minister
Children’s Ministry’s local region chain of command, all the way down to the District Supervisor
and Social Worker
Contacts can be found at the government directory: http://www.dir.gov.bc.ca/

BOTTOM

Start at the bottom and climb. At the Regional Operating Officer (ROO) level (once you have been declined) you have to decide whether to jump up to the top, threaten and then go to the media, or both. A word of wisdom: DO NOT BLUFF. If you are not willing to go all the way, they will ‘smell’ this. You must be prepared to take it right up to the Minister and beyond.

Documentation from Experts:

In your arsenal to fight for your child, it is wise to get his/her pediatrician and/or psychiatrist to write a letter on your childis behalf. In addition, any other experts who know your child and are sympathetic to what you are trying to do should become involved.

When to hire a lawyer?

If money is not an issue, you can hire a lawyer when you get to the area manager level. Make sure that you have a paper trail so the lawyer has something to work with. Also, have the lawyer give F.E.A.T. of B.C. a call, and we will send him/her information that will help.

If money is an issue (as it is for most of us running autism treatment programs), you might want to hire a lawyer once you have been turned down by the Minister.

How to hire a lawyer?

The type of lawyer needed is a litigator, or trial lawyer. S/he does not need to be an expert in autism, or special needs; s/he needs to be experienced in suing governments, and enjoys being in court. Word of mouth is a good way to find a lawyer.

Topic

[Jan Nusche]

Jean Lewis wrote: Indeed! We encourage ALL parents and supporters who live in Mr. Warawa's riding to attend the meeting he has called on Apr. 11th. and make your voices heard: "Medicare for Autism Now!" Please contact me if you plan to attend the meeting and would like more information on Bill C-304, the Canada Health Act or the government's flawed and intransigent position.

Re: Mark Warawa forum

Would Jean Lewis please contact me? I live in this riding and have exchanged a few emails with Warawa's office. They've invited me to set up a time to speak with him. I am unable to attend the forum but I would like more information on Bill C-304 and the government's position.
Thank you

Jan Nusche
jnusche@shaw.ca

[Monika Lange]

Jean's question, "How is it that the character of a man can so profoundly change from the time he is a member of the opposition?", reminds me of BC's Liberals promises while in Official Opposition:

1. In a letter to me dated Oct. 18, 2000, Honourable Gordon Campbell states “The Official Opposition agrees that autism is a medical condition requiring medical intervention and that government has a responsibility to fund effective treatment.”

2. A letter to me from Honourable Colin Hansen, dated Nov. 1, 2000 states “We publicly called on the government to get on with funding autism treatment the day after the court decision was released and we have been vocal in our criticism of their decision to appeal. It is time for government to recognize that autism is a health issue and ensure that proper treatment is provided”.

3. Another letter to me from Honourable Campbell dated Dec. 15, 2000 includes a Hansard transcript on the autism treatment issue. In it, Honourable Reid is quoted, “I certainly hope there is something else funded other than the costs of the appeal, that there will be on the ground dollars for these families in the very near future. The bottom line is that these are enormous challenges and the government walks around it in terms of a pilot project or a reference to it. This is where the rubber hits the road in terms of a stated commitment that has some solid implementation to it. Is it a health issue? Most definitely.”

I will hammer these statements home whenever the chance arises. So thank you Jean, for giving me the opportunity.

Regarding involvement in elections, we must always keep in mind the broken promises of our BC Liberals on this issue. For those of us in BC, never forget, their lies and aggressive fight against autism treatment are at the heart of this issue. They are the reason we are still at this.

[Mike & Jean]

F.E.A.T.-B.C. Director Jean Lewis and David Marley, F.E.A.T.-B.C.'s Public Affairs Consultant will be guests on the Bill Good Show, CKNW Radio 980 AM on Monday, April 2nd at 9:00 a.m. They will be discussing a variety of issues dealing with autism treatment funding including the recently released and appallingly mediocre and unacceptable Senate Report, the defeat of Bill C-304 and most importantly F.E.A.T. plans to participate in the upcoming federal election. We encourage you to listen in.

For the information of parents who live in Mark Warawa's riding of Langley – while in opposition, Mr. Warawa tabled 10 petitions calling on the federal government to amend the Canada Health Act to include autism treatment under Medicare. What's extraordinary is that he voted (in-lock-step) with ALL the rest of the Conservatives AGAINST Bill C-304 which would have precisely achieved what the 10 petitions he tabled had asked of government! "How is it that the character of a man can so profoundly change from the time he is a member of the opposition, to the time he joins the heady realm of government….In a contest between voting one's principles or getting summarily tossed out of cabinet, clearly cognitive dissonance trumps the dusty concept of morality…" – (Isaac Tamir) Indeed! We encourage ALL parents and supporters who live in Mr. Warawa's riding to attend the meeting he has called on Apr. 11th. and make your voices heard: "Medicare for Autism Now!" Please contact me if you plan to attend the meeting and would like more information on Bill C-304, the Canada Health Act or the government's flawed and intransigent position.

[FEAT BC Admin]

FYI for parents in the riding of Mark Warawa MP, and Mary Polak MLA(Langley):

From Member of Parliament Mark Warawa and MLA Mary Polak:

Autism Forum

Langley MP Mark Warawa and MLA Mary Polak are co-hosting a forum for families who wish to ask questions and share concerns regarding Federal and Provincial strategies for Autism.

Wednesday April 11th

5:30pm-7:30pm

Location to be announced based on anticipated attendance.

RSVP by April 9th to confirm seating at 604-534-5955

[Dave Collyer]

Hello all,

For a PDF version of the report Andrew has listed go here:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/soci-e/rep-e/repfinmar07-e.pdf

I found the suggestion that folks with ASD be involved in the follow up and development processes (pages 15, 16, 19 and 20) to be positive. I do hope that such consultation is meaningful and comprehensive, as in many ways in the past, consultation has been cursory (or has ocured as an after thought… or it has simply not been part of the process).

Dave.

[Andrew Kavchak]

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technoly has just release its report on the Funding for the treatment of autism.

You will find the report entitled: "PAY NOW OR PAY LATER: AUTISM FAMILIES IN CRISES" on the Committee's website at the following link:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/soci-e/rep-e/repfinmar07-e.htm

[Andrew Kavchak]

URGENT UPDATE FROM OTTAWA!!!
____________________________
Release:

Senate Committee Holds Press Conference on Autism Report

Ottawa, March 29, 2007 — Members of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will be holding a press conference on Thursday, March 29, 2007, to discuss its report Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism Families in Crisis.

Date: Thursday, March 29, 2007

Time: 3:45 p.m.

Place: National Press Theatre, 150 Wellington Street

Live Webcast, audio and video: http://senate-senat.ca/social-webcast.asp

Present: Senator Art Eggleton, Chair of the committee
Senator Wilbert Joseph Keon
Senator Jim Munson
Senator Lucie Pépin

[Monika Lange]

The Lebanon article is indeed ironic. The federal government absolves itself of responsibility to Canadian children by passing off autism treatment funding to the Provinces, but attemps to redeem its halo by sprinkling a few bucks to autistic kids internationally. This is not unlike the halo of "corporate social responsibility/ethics" in the corporate world. Joel Bakan, University of British Columbia law professor and author of 'The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power (2004)' outlines the fundamental mandate of corporations, wherein he states: “The benevolent rhetoric and deeds of socially responsible corporations create attractive corporate images, and likely do some good in the world. They do not, however, change the corporation’s fundamental institutional nature: its unblinking commitment to its own self-interest.” While the government sits on a huge surplus and gives internationally and pats itself on the back, Canadian kids can't get our own tax dollars back to meet an urgent medical need.

[Monika Lange]

The Lebanon article is indeed ironic. The federal government absolves itself of responsibility to Canadian children by passing off autism treatment funding to the Provinces, but attemps to redeem its halo by sprinkling a few bucks to autistic kids internationally. This is not unlike the halo of "corporate social responsibility/ethics" in the corporate world. Joel Bakan, University of British Columbia law professor and author of 'The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power (2004)' outlines the fundamental mandate of corporations, wherein he states: “The benevolent rhetoric and deeds of socially responsible corporations create attractive corporate images, and likely do some good in the world. They do not, however, change the corporation’s fundamental institutional nature: its unblinking commitment to its own self-interest.” While the government sits on a huge surplus and gives internationally and pats itself on the back, Canadian kids can't get our own tax dollars back to meet an urgent medical need.

[Ursula Lee]

Canadian Govt gives grant to Lebanese Autism Society.

How ironic

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=80696

[Author]

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