[Guy Emond]

Hi,

I am writing from Alberta. The AB gov has just given Royal Assent to the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities Act, which replaces the former Child Welfare Act.

More than a few parents with special needs children see this as an attempt to further restrict parents from accessing "public dollars" through Resources for Children with Disabilities (formerly Handicapped Children' Services).

Many thought things were bad enough when — for two years — parents were being turned away with the excuse of "not in the jurisdiction of Handicapped CHildren' Services.

As your child is now a student (school age) look to Alberta Learning and the School Act. The Court of QB Stratkotter decision of Nov. 202 put an end to that roadblock and now they'll use the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities Act.

I was just chatting with Sabrina Freeman, who was saying "don't worry they can't get away with any more shinannigans…" (okay, so Sabrina didn't say shinanigans). Having said that, I received just this morning 2 letters from the Department informing me that they are reviewing all "school age" children' needs for eligibility under the "new Act." Just two weeks ago I was reading a letter that said they'd be reviewing "school age" children' needs — via existing medical and service provider information on file – to make amendments to their existing HCS Agreements. Man that was fast.

I know they're going to bust my chops (and other parents' chops — those with "school age" kids) for a while but I'm also glad I filed 2 Actions in Court of QB under the old Child Welfare Act and more importantly under the precedent setting Stratkotter /Sullivan Decision.

The government has no choice but to go to Court of QB with me and have the matter heard and considered only under the old Child Welfare Act.

Time will tell if it was worth the effort, but I'm guessing it'll make a world of difference, compared to meeting eligibility criteria under the New Act.

Guy Emond
Calgary, AB.
(403)520-7424

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