[Dione Costanzo]

Surrey, November 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MCFD Payment Policies put Autistic Children in Jeopardy

Over 100 autism treatment service providers have complained they have not received payment for services within 30 days of invoicing the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). There is already a shortage of these service providers and those currently practicing are being forced to rethink their career choices. Families now risk losing current therapists and cannot attract new ones willing to put up with such financial uncertainty.

In September 2009 the Hon. Minister Mary Polak eliminated a Direct Funding option where parents could pay their service providers through a trust account. At that time, parents were assured that late payment problems would be dealt with. In the year that followed, these problems, in fact, worsened.

When contacted on October 4th, 2010 about the poorly managed AFU the Hon. Minister Mary Polak responded by saying "I know we've cleared the backlog and are continuing to work to solve other issues as they are raised by families and providers". However, featbc has confirmation that the problems are not resolved and service providers continue to not get paid within 30 days.

There are over 6,000 children in this province with Autism Spectrum Disorder who require therapy. Accessed through MCFD, this treatment will directly affect a child’s future. The difference between treatment and no treatment can also mean the difference between lifelong independence versus institutionalization.

Since autism treatment is not covered under Medicare, the amount of therapy a child receives depends directly on what families can afford to pay beyond the inadequate funding provided through MCFD. Despite its mandate to protect these children, current MCFD policies are actually interfering with access to treatment.

All attempts to communicate this to MCFD have fallen on deaf ears.

Last week British Columbians became painfully aware of what can happen to BC’s most vulnerable children when the Ministry for Child and Family Development drops the ball. MCFD indifference is allowing more of BC’s vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, families trying to cope with the stress of autism are living nightmares every day as they struggle to keep therapists for their children.

-30-

(For further information contact Louise Witt at (604) 538-1370 or spokesperson@featbc.org)

[Dione Costanzo]

Surrey, November 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MCFD Payment Policies put Autistic Children in Jeopardy

Over 100 autism treatment service providers have complained they have not received payment for services within 30 days of invoicing the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). There is already a shortage of these service providers and those currently practicing are being forced to rethink their career choices. Families now risk losing current therapists and cannot attract new ones willing to put up with such financial uncertainty.

In September 2009 the Hon. Minister Mary Polak eliminated a Direct Funding option where parents could pay their service providers through a trust account. At that time, parents were assured that late payment problems would be dealt with. In the year that followed, these problems, in fact, worsened.

When contacted on October 4th, 2010 about the poorly managed AFU the Hon. Minister Mary Polak responded by saying "I know we've cleared the backlog and are continuing to work to solve other issues as they are raised by families and providers". However, featbc has confirmation that the problems are not resolved and service providers continue to not get paid within 30 days.

There are over 6,000 children in this province with Autism Spectrum Disorder who require therapy. Accessed through MCFD, this treatment will directly affect a child’s future. The difference between treatment and no treatment can also mean the difference between lifelong independence versus institutionalization.

Since autism treatment is not covered under Medicare, the amount of therapy a child receives depends directly on what families can afford to pay beyond the inadequate funding provided through MCFD. Despite its mandate to protect these children, current MCFD policies are actually interfering with access to treatment.

All attempts to communicate this to MCFD have fallen on deaf ears.

Last week British Columbians became painfully aware of what can happen to BC’s most vulnerable children when the Ministry for Child and Family Development drops the ball. MCFD indifference is allowing more of BC’s vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, families trying to cope with the stress of autism are living nightmares every day as they struggle to keep therapists for their children.

-30-

(For further information contact Louise Witt at (604) 538-1370 or spokesperson@featbc.org)

[Dione Costanzo]

Surrey, November 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MCFD Payment Policies put Autistic Children in Jeopardy

Over 100 autism treatment service providers have complained they have not received payment for services within 30 days of invoicing the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). There is already a shortage of these service providers and those currently practicing are being forced to rethink their career choices. Families now risk losing current therapists and cannot attract new ones willing to put up with such financial uncertainty.

In September 2009 the Hon. Minister Mary Polak eliminated a Direct Funding option where parents could pay their service providers through a trust account. At that time, parents were assured that late payment problems would be dealt with. In the year that followed, these problems, in fact, worsened.

When contacted on October 4th, 2010 about the poorly managed AFU the Hon. Minister Mary Polak responded by saying "I know we've cleared the backlog and are continuing to work to solve other issues as they are raised by families and providers". However, featbc has confirmation that the problems are not resolved and service providers continue to not get paid within 30 days.

There are over 6,000 children in this province with Autism Spectrum Disorder who require therapy. Accessed through MCFD, this treatment will directly affect a child’s future. The difference between treatment and no treatment can also mean the difference between lifelong independence versus institutionalization.

Since autism treatment is not covered under Medicare, the amount of therapy a child receives depends directly on what families can afford to pay beyond the inadequate funding provided through MCFD. Despite its mandate to protect these children, current MCFD policies are actually interfering with access to treatment.

All attempts to communicate this to MCFD have fallen on deaf ears.

Last week British Columbians became painfully aware of what can happen to BC’s most vulnerable children when the Ministry for Child and Family Development drops the ball. MCFD indifference is allowing more of BC’s vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, families trying to cope with the stress of autism are living nightmares every day as they struggle to keep therapists for their children.

-30-

(For further information contact Louise Witt at (604) 538-1370 or spokesperson@featbc.org)

[Dione Costanzo]

Surrey, November 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MCFD Payment Policies put Autistic Children in Jeopardy

Over 100 autism treatment service providers have complained they have not received payment for services within 30 days of invoicing the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). There is already a shortage of these service providers and those currently practicing are being forced to rethink their career choices. Families now risk losing current therapists and cannot attract new ones willing to put up with such financial uncertainty.

In September 2009 the Hon. Minister Mary Polak eliminated a Direct Funding option where parents could pay their service providers through a trust account. At that time, parents were assured that late payment problems would be dealt with. In the year that followed, these problems, in fact, worsened.

When contacted on October 4th, 2010 about the poorly managed AFU the Hon. Minister Mary Polak responded by saying "I know we've cleared the backlog and are continuing to work to solve other issues as they are raised by families and providers". However, featbc has confirmation that the problems are not resolved and service providers continue to not get paid within 30 days.

There are over 6,000 children in this province with Autism Spectrum Disorder who require therapy. Accessed through MCFD, this treatment will directly affect a child’s future. The difference between treatment and no treatment can also mean the difference between lifelong independence versus institutionalization.

Since autism treatment is not covered under Medicare, the amount of therapy a child receives depends directly on what families can afford to pay beyond the inadequate funding provided through MCFD. Despite its mandate to protect these children, current MCFD policies are actually interfering with access to treatment.

All attempts to communicate this to MCFD have fallen on deaf ears.

Last week British Columbians became painfully aware of what can happen to BC’s most vulnerable children when the Ministry for Child and Family Development drops the ball. MCFD indifference is allowing more of BC’s vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, families trying to cope with the stress of autism are living nightmares every day as they struggle to keep therapists for their children.

-30-

(For further information contact Louise Witt at (604) 538-1370 or spokesperson@featbc.org)

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network monthly meeting is this Thursday, November 25, 7:00-9:00 PM

Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre
16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #2
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

(map available online http://www.abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php)

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

This talk will focus on:

* Social skill development for school aged children.
* The ins and outs of how to work collaboratively with the school to build in generalization and growth of social skills for children of all skill levels.
* We will be addressing strategies for both elementary and high school settings.
* We will also focus on providing strategies and tips parents can leave and apply right away.

Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc. is a behavioural consultant specializing in Lovaas style ABA for children with autism. She trained and worked with a Lovaas Replication Site for 10 years and was involved in opening clinics in the United States and in the U.K. In September of 2007 Bohdanna and colleagues opened Harmony House Preschool, an inclusive preschool for children with autism and their peers.

Michele is a Behaviour Consultant who has worked in the field of autism for over 11 years. She is very dedicated to the training of individuals in the community and continues to work with families and school teams to assist in the facilitation of team oriented working relationships. Michele works closely with children in the home and school settings, working collaboratively with families and community members. She is also responsible for the development of Harmony House’s internship program and works closely supervising clinical staff. Michele graduated from UBC with a Masters in Special Education/Counseling and Psychology with emphasis in autism. She is now working towards her BCBA certification. In addition to running the internship program, Michele also maintains a caseload of children diagnosed with Autism, providing monthly supervision for their home-based treatment.

Please join us for refreshments, information and discussion!

ABA Support Network
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network monthly meeting is this Thursday, November 25, 7:00-9:00 PM

Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre
16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #2
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

(map available online http://www.abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php)

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

This talk will focus on:

* Social skill development for school aged children.
* The ins and outs of how to work collaboratively with the school to build in generalization and growth of social skills for children of all skill levels.
* We will be addressing strategies for both elementary and high school settings.
* We will also focus on providing strategies and tips parents can leave and apply right away.

Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc. is a behavioural consultant specializing in Lovaas style ABA for children with autism. She trained and worked with a Lovaas Replication Site for 10 years and was involved in opening clinics in the United States and in the U.K. In September of 2007 Bohdanna and colleagues opened Harmony House Preschool, an inclusive preschool for children with autism and their peers.

Michele is a Behaviour Consultant who has worked in the field of autism for over 11 years. She is very dedicated to the training of individuals in the community and continues to work with families and school teams to assist in the facilitation of team oriented working relationships. Michele works closely with children in the home and school settings, working collaboratively with families and community members. She is also responsible for the development of Harmony House’s internship program and works closely supervising clinical staff. Michele graduated from UBC with a Masters in Special Education/Counseling and Psychology with emphasis in autism. She is now working towards her BCBA certification. In addition to running the internship program, Michele also maintains a caseload of children diagnosed with Autism, providing monthly supervision for their home-based treatment.

Please join us for refreshments, information and discussion!

ABA Support Network
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network monthly meeting is this Thursday, November 25, 7:00-9:00 PM

Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre
16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #2
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

(map available online http://www.abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php)

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

This talk will focus on:

* Social skill development for school aged children.
* The ins and outs of how to work collaboratively with the school to build in generalization and growth of social skills for children of all skill levels.
* We will be addressing strategies for both elementary and high school settings.
* We will also focus on providing strategies and tips parents can leave and apply right away.

Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc. is a behavioural consultant specializing in Lovaas style ABA for children with autism. She trained and worked with a Lovaas Replication Site for 10 years and was involved in opening clinics in the United States and in the U.K. In September of 2007 Bohdanna and colleagues opened Harmony House Preschool, an inclusive preschool for children with autism and their peers.

Michele is a Behaviour Consultant who has worked in the field of autism for over 11 years. She is very dedicated to the training of individuals in the community and continues to work with families and school teams to assist in the facilitation of team oriented working relationships. Michele works closely with children in the home and school settings, working collaboratively with families and community members. She is also responsible for the development of Harmony House’s internship program and works closely supervising clinical staff. Michele graduated from UBC with a Masters in Special Education/Counseling and Psychology with emphasis in autism. She is now working towards her BCBA certification. In addition to running the internship program, Michele also maintains a caseload of children diagnosed with Autism, providing monthly supervision for their home-based treatment.

Please join us for refreshments, information and discussion!

ABA Support Network
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network monthly meeting is this Thursday, November 25, 7:00-9:00 PM

Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre
16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #2
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

(map available online http://www.abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php)

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

This talk will focus on:

* Social skill development for school aged children.
* The ins and outs of how to work collaboratively with the school to build in generalization and growth of social skills for children of all skill levels.
* We will be addressing strategies for both elementary and high school settings.
* We will also focus on providing strategies and tips parents can leave and apply right away.

Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc. is a behavioural consultant specializing in Lovaas style ABA for children with autism. She trained and worked with a Lovaas Replication Site for 10 years and was involved in opening clinics in the United States and in the U.K. In September of 2007 Bohdanna and colleagues opened Harmony House Preschool, an inclusive preschool for children with autism and their peers.

Michele is a Behaviour Consultant who has worked in the field of autism for over 11 years. She is very dedicated to the training of individuals in the community and continues to work with families and school teams to assist in the facilitation of team oriented working relationships. Michele works closely with children in the home and school settings, working collaboratively with families and community members. She is also responsible for the development of Harmony House’s internship program and works closely supervising clinical staff. Michele graduated from UBC with a Masters in Special Education/Counseling and Psychology with emphasis in autism. She is now working towards her BCBA certification. In addition to running the internship program, Michele also maintains a caseload of children diagnosed with Autism, providing monthly supervision for their home-based treatment.

Please join us for refreshments, information and discussion!

ABA Support Network
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

Further to the Support Meeting information just posted:

For more information or to RSVP please contact:

Tracy Hewgill, BA
Family Support Worker
Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living
11641 224 Street, Maple Ridge BC
Phone 604 467 8700 ext 119
tracy.hewgill@rmacl.org

[Dione Costanzo]

Further to the Support Meeting information just posted:

For more information or to RSVP please contact:

Tracy Hewgill, BA
Family Support Worker
Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living
11641 224 Street, Maple Ridge BC
Phone 604 467 8700 ext 119
tracy.hewgill@rmacl.org

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