[Dave Collyer]

Hi folks,

A couple of quick bits of information:

1) Regarding Bill33. There are a number of very active groups that have expressed concern and dismay regarding this legislation. The groups that have formally adopted a position calling for review and revision of B33 includeVCPAC, BCCPAC, VACL, BCACL, Canadian Down Syndrome Society, BCCPE, ASBC (ML has posted re this issue in the forums), and many others. I think one of the lower mainland coalitions for special education (a large umbrella group) is meeting in the second week of June to continue planning around this legislation…. I understand that several legal opinions are being looked into by various groups… there is much to be done re this issue but beyond hooking up with your MLA to voice concern, letters to the editor and the usual things it may serve a purpose to reach out to other groups to co-ordinate efforts…. and to get involved with your local PACs and School Planning Councils. Visiting your local School Board or addressing school board trustees is also a good idea (I know of a few boards who have written to the Minister to express reservations re Bill 33). I wonder when some of the large US based advocacy groups will become aware of how backward BC is on this specific issue and will shine a light on the issue (to the effect of "BC takes giant step backwards in school inclusion and rights of the special needs student".).

2) VERY INTERESTING promising development within the Ministry of Education. It appears that the Ministry of Ed has changed the definitions for funding. In the past L2 funding (16,000.00) was partially a function of the narrow diagnosis of "Autism" (or "Autism Disorder"). Other students who had a diagnosis within the ASD spectrum (ie PDD-NOS) other then Autism did not "qualify" unless they had significant physical or cognitive challenges. Now the ENTIRE ASD spectrum will qualify for L2 funding… Effective July 1 2006. Of course the issue that the funds are not "targeted" or "tied" to the student continues… more work to be done. IMO the change and widening of the defintion to include the entire ASD spectrum may be significant for some parents and students. It is possible that some children had been excluded in the past from L2 funding formulas due to the fact that they lacked the key diagnostic label (ie Autism Disorder). Now, perhaps with the wider criteria, these children will be abke to access more appropriate supports (but likely still short of what is needed). Beyond the L2 criteria changes a new "Needs Determination" matrix has been developed. It may be important for parents to review this document. If anyone would like a copy let me know and I will pass it on.

As an aside these changes have been in the public domain for about a week and were shared with our BC Autism Council members last week. I was curious if others had heard of these changes from council members or if the council is disconnected from the average parent of an ASD child… how does information go from the council membership to the average end user of services?

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Darn thumbs… "poster" = "posted"

DC.

[Dave Collyer]

Direct link to the workshop Barb poster: http://web.mala.bc.ca/education/autism/autism_conference.htm

DC

[Dave Collyer]

Hi folks,

Well it looks like our search for a qualified consultant continues. As such is the case I was hoping that folks on Van. Island might have a few tips (names) regarding Consultants who have a depth of experience and a proven track record? Anyone?

Failing that I am hopeful that perhaps local families who might be interested in combining resources to bring in an Out of Province agency (LIFE?) to Victoria and area could contact me. If this option interests anyone please let me know:

drcollyer (at) shaw (dot) ca

[Dave Collyer]

Last call for those who might want a ride to Vancouver from Victoria for the FEAT intermediate workshop this Saturday. I have room in the van for a few more. If you want a lift let me know by tomorrow night so I can organize pickup and dropoff:

drcollyer <at> shaw<dot> ca

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Hello all,

As my search for a new consultant continues I frequently check the ACT QSP board… as such I came across an update regarding more consultants who appear to be at risk of being removed from the list (on top of those who have already been removed). Again it appears to be a mater of incomplete paper work and not a reflection of the quality of work or competence of the consultants. The situation has served to "limit" options for us on our search and may have an impact on those who utilize the consultants who are risk. I have called ACT and they have inidcated that when paper work is completed then those in compliance will be able to be able to be reentered onto the QSP "list".

http://www.actbc.ca/newsreleases_Out_Province_Providers_2ndNotice.htm

According to the update those at risk are:
Shelley Davis – Behaviour Consultant
Billie Jo Davis, Ph.D. – Behaviour Consultant
Lisa Wincz – Behaviour Consultant
Rosemary White – Occupational Therapist

… and agencies at risk or who are in the midst of updating paperwork are:
Bancroft Neuro Health Hopkins
CSAAC (Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children)
Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention*
May Center

I hope they get the paper work done as some good folks are at risk of being "delisted"…

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Hello to all in the Greater Victoria area… on Saturday January 21st FEAT presents the intermediate workshop in Vancouver. I have room for three additional people in my Van (seats 7) for any who want to catch a ride with us. It will be a tight fit with all seats filled but if we "van pool" costs will be less. We will be boarding the 7:00 AM ferry and will return on the 7:00 PM if all goes according to plan.

If interested let me know:

drcollyer <at> shaw <dot> ca

[Dave Collyer]

Hi,

I think North Van recently had a posting for a teacher who was familiar with Autism. While the posting was for only .4 of a position it differs from most other districts in that it specified some detailed background in ABA as a requirement. I suspect that NVan also does not run an effective ABA program or alternate Autism program but I speculate that they might be the best of the bunch. In contrast our local districts here in the capital region have completly missed the boat IMO regarding effective services for almost all ASD children (and those with DS and maybe those with other challenges). Although the teachers are well meaning they are undereducated in this specialized area and are not supported to become experts by those in administration or at the district level. IMO both BCTF and CUPE need to get out of the way so as to allow for outside contractors (our consultants) to work in partnership with school staff in order to provide a meaningful program for our children.

[Dave Collyer]

Hi,

re Employer-Employee relatiohships…. I think the issue is more complex then many recognise. Check our CCRAs PDF for more detail. I consulted two lawyers and an accountant re this issue…

re ICBC and Employed vs. Self Employed. I am not sure I understand the issue you are facing. Many Self Employed need Buisness insurance and many who are employees also require the same sort of insurance. For example… a self employed carpenter would need Business Insurance for his/her work vehicle. On the other hand many School Board Employees or folks who work for various community based service agencies (like those agencies that contract with MCFD) also require Business Insurance even thought they are employees. If you need to have a vehicle as a requirment of employment or if you use it while working for an employer in order to carry out the job you were hired for then I think you need a higher level of insurance then the "to and from work/school 6 days a month" insurance catagroy.

Just my 2 cents…

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Hi Danielle,

Yes what I call IF program funds are what you call EAI. My son is still under 6 so we have a 20+ hour per week ABA program on the go (we top up… and are considering pulling him from preschool given SCDs recent program changes and funding cuts…shared aid models et al and dumping the tuition into more ABA program time).

Your contract worker… is that thru an agency? In my experience most agencies charge twice what a private contract would cost. For example here in Vic CAFCA (a local and other wise awesome agency IMO) charges 30$ per hour for an AI worker… I pay mine between 12-18$ per hour depending on experience (nad how badly I want to keep them on my son's team). CAFCA's overhead costs would reduce an ABA program I put together thru private hiring/contracting in half. They offer the easy way out so you don't have to do any hire-fire-train-accounting work but direct service ("face" time) is cut in half… The biggest joke is Queen Alexandra Center for children… they intend to offer a 7 hour per week progam and will only take all of my son's IF funding… 20,000$ per year for seven hours per week of servicce vs. 20+hours per week if you put the time into setting up your own program. As your son is over 6 obviously you would look at a smaller program given your funding but the fact that private is 2 or 3x's more cost effective remains a valid issue.

One of the old social workers I used to work with used to arrange for "departure" funding. If the child was leaving MCFD and returning to a family or being adopted she used to apy in advance for all programing as far down the road as she could (ie. music therapy was paid for a year, swimming lessons were paid for for 3 months, annd so on). If you have not already done so the social worker or your son's other agency workers might be able to advocate for some programing to be paid for now… don't wait until you adopt. It is in "d's: best interest and most CLBC folks I know really do care and will spend what they can if it is part of the care plain.

Z

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