Prevention of Families Requiring Government Services/Funding From Being Confused

[Guest guest]

If I may input on a topic as this is one which is near and dear to my heart and

one which I have been lobbying towards for some time:

My Advocacy is aimed at the prevention of families of Children with Disabilities

from being grouped amongst individuals who may require protection. No clear

division exists in many instances and this has created a large chasm of

unnecessary separation of families.

In effort to access Government services and funding for loved ones with medical

and developmental needs, natural, loving families have been faced with

unconscionable 'choice' which includes surrendering guardianship and out of home

foster placement in order to achieve help.

The victimization that has arisen when well-meaning entities wield power

ineffectively and without adequate contemplation of the results that follow

interference has been atrocious. Fortunately, I was able to effect an Amendment

in Legislation in the Province of Alberta:

Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act (FSCD) of Alberta, Canada

Section 2-3, Manual Amendments: Policy and Procedures in Family Centred Supports

and Services, Effective December 2006.

The Family Support for Children with Disabilities Program to have separate

legislation from that of child protection services.

http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/527.cfm

I encourage others to take action on this particular stance to preserve families

of children with disabilities intact. Family-centred Care must be prioritized

and solidified by review of current Policy which is often archaic and

counter-productive in its vision towards individuals with disability. If we are

able to salvage the lives and core values of families who are already facing

tremendous strain with the diagnosis of developmental disability - and/or

medical issues - we offer this model to others whole-heartedly.

Ministries are at last taking a look at strategies to avert over-lap of children

with developmental needs from being grouped amongst - and confused with - those

individuals requiring protection. However, without creating a new Office and

distinct Policy which over-sees those persons accessing Government supports,

true separation cannot exist. Many workers still operate on a child intervention

model when approaching families of children with disability and this results in

negating the true reason that Government support is required!

Children with disability are a distinct group that requires legislation and

personnel to monitor Governing of Services... That is not to dismiss or deny

that situations may develop where over-lap of children with disability are

maltreated; any such instances should be dealt with accordingly, but we are

discussing those families who strictly access services and funding for

disability.

We must regard the fundamentals of human rights by supporting solid families who

- without any issue of abuse or neglect - require assistance for their loved

one. We must nurture and respect the loving relations that exist amongst natural

families supporting individuals with extraordinary needs with means that are

least disruptive to the family unit. Involve input of rehabilitation agencies

and hospitals alongside Family Services for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) to

empower natural families through education and strengthen ability to

self-advocate when seeking assistance.

Help cannot come at the expense of the family unit; through inhuman requests to

surrender guardianship to achieve it. Natural families of children with

extraordinary needs are already facing emotional and financial challenges

without being subjected to fear of collapse of the family unit. That individuals

step forward courageously to inquire how best to support their child and

stabilize family, must not result in being penalized and stigmatized by the

umbrella of Child Protection Agency Practice.

Sincerely,

Velvet

Administrator to Tetrasomy 18p Canada

" 's Syndrome "

http://www.tetrasomy18p.ca/