[Mike & Jean]

By Mike & Jean (Lewis) on Monday, August 6, 2001 – 08:51 pm:

URGENT – TO ALL PARENTS

I had the opportunity to attend a meeting last Wednesday August 1st hosted by Robin Syme and others from
the Ministry for Children and Family Development. The new Deputy Minister of MCFD asked his policy makers
to invite parents to this meeting to hear their input with respect to parent choice.

I would like to thank the new Liberal Government for finally inviting FEAT parents to the table to share their
concerns.

The majority of the parents present were parents of children who are eligable for the government's new "EIBI"
program as well as parents with children over six the majority of whom are doing Lovaas-style ABA programs.
There was also a large contingent from the Autism Society of BC.

Parents were invited to give Robin Syme etal. their 'wishlist' on how to incorporate 'parent choice' into this
program which we believe to already be flawed.

I presented FEAT's official position which as you know is as follows:
1) The responsibility for 'medically necessary' autism treatment be moved to the Ministry of Health.

2) The EIBI program be cancelled immediately as it is not sceince-based, it will create government controlled
service provider monopolies which are antithetical to parent choice and are hugely expensive.

3) Individualized funding be made directly to families so families can choose their own service provider of
choice.

4) Medically necessary autism treatment does not stop at the age of six. It continues for as long as a physician
prescribes it.

At the conclusion of this two hour meeting where all participants had an opportunity to speak, the following
themes were unanimous:

1) Give individualized funding directly to parents. They will choose their own qualified provider.

2) Given the choice between the 'EIBI' program and individualized funding parent unanimously chose
individualized funding.

3) The funding needs to start immediately and carry on as long as needed.

Now is the time for all parents (those there at the meeting and those who were not present) who are in favour
of individualized funding to be heard! August 7th is the close date for the second round of RFP responses to be
selected as service providers. Later in August, early September it is the governments intention to select from
this exercise additional service providers who will be assigned geographic areas to provide 'EIBI' services.
This will be the only option available to parents if the present plan continues to proceed without change. FEAT
of BC's position has always been clear – parents must have the right to choose the service provider of their
choice. Not one who has been deemed appropriate by MCFD.

I urge all parents to contact the following ministers to voice their positions on:

1) individualized funding
2) the EIBI program
3) funding for those over the age of six
4) to thank the Liberal Governemnt for forcing the civil servants to give FEAT members a place at the table.

1) Gordon Hogg – Minister MCFD
e-mail – gordon.hogg.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax # 250-387-9722
Tel # 250-387-9699

2) Colin Hansen – Minister of Health Service
e-mail – colin.hansen.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax # – 250-356-9587
Tel # – 250-953-3547

3) Linda Reid – Minister of State – Early Childhood Development
e-mail – linda.reid.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax # 250-356-8337
Tel # 250-356-7662

4) Premier Campbell
e-mail – gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax# 250-387-0087
Tel # 250-387-1715

Please ask for a response from each individual you contact and please send a copy of your letters and any
responses to info@featbc.org or fax them to 604-534-9527.

FEAT of BC advocates on behalf of all BC children for their right to medically necessary autism treatment.

The time to act is now!

Thank you,

Jean Lewis
Director – FEAT of BC
Please copy any e-mail co

[Mike & Jean]

URGENT – TO ALL PARENTS

I had the opportunity to attend a meeting last Wednesday August 1st hosted by Robin Syme and others from the Ministry for Children and Family Development. The new Deputy Minister of MCFD asked his policy makers to invite parents to this meeting to hear their input with respect to parent choice.

I would like to thank the new Liberal Government for finally inviting FEAT parents to the table to share their concerns.

The majority of the parents present were parents of children who are eligable for the government's new "EIBI" program as well as parents with children over six the majority of whom are doing Lovaas-style ABA programs. There was also a large contingent from the Autism Society of BC.

Parents were invited to give Robin Syme etal. their 'wishlist' on how to incorporate 'parent choice' into this program which we believe to already be flawed.

I presented FEAT's official position which as you know is as follows:
1) The responsibility for 'medically necessary' autism treatment be moved to the Ministry of Health.

2) The EIBI program be cancelled immediately as it is not sceince-based, it will create government controlled service provider monopolies which are antithetical to parent choice and are hugely expensive.

3) Individualized funding be made directly to families so families can choose their own service provider of choice.

4) Medically necessary autism treatment does not stop at the age of six. It continues for as long as a physician prescribes it.

At the conclusion of this two hour meeting where all participants had an opportunity to speak, the following themes were unanimous:

1) Give individualized funding directly to parents. They will choose their own qualified provider.

2) Given the choice between the 'EIBI' program and individualized funding parent unanimously chose individualized funding.

3) The funding needs to start immediately and carry on as long as needed.

Now is the time for all parents (those there at the meeting and those who were not present) who are in favour of individualized funding to be heard! August 7th is the close date for the second round of RFP responses to be selected as service providers. Later in August, early September it is the governments intention to select from this exercise additional service providers who will be assigned geographic areas to provide 'EIBI' services. This will be the only option available to parents if the present plan continues to proceed without change. FEAT of BC's position has always been clear – parents must have the right to choose the service provider of their choice. Not one who has been deemed appropriate by MCFD.

I urge all parents to contact the following ministers to voice their positions on:

1) individualized funding
2) the EIBI program
3) funding for those over the age of six
4) to thank the Liberal Governemnt for forcing the civil servants to give FEAT members a place at the table.

1) Gordon Hogg – Minister MCFD
e-mail – gordon.hogg.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax # 250-387-9722
Tel # 250-387-9699

2) Colin Hansen – Minister of Health Service
e-mail – colin.hansen.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax # – 250-356-9587
Tel # – 250-953-3547

3) Linda Reid – Minister of State – Early Childhood Development
e-mail – linda.reid.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax # 250-356-8337
Tel # 250-356-7662

4) Premier Campbell
e-mail – gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca
Fax# 250-387-0087
Tel # 250-387-1715

Please ask for a response from each individual you contact and please send a copy of your letters and any responses to info@featbc.org or fax them to 604-534-9527.

FEAT of BC advocates on behalf of all BC children for their right to medically necessary autism treatment.

The time to act is now!

Thank you,

Jean Lewis
Director – FEAT of BC
Please copy any e-mail co

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