God Bless the Children! - S.M. Toronto news article

[Guest guest]

http://register.thestar.com/article/673304

Rampant articles are emerging out of Ontario high-lighting similar failure of

Ministries abroad to recognize the basic human rights of individuals with

disabilities and the families of the children that care for them; especially the

need to amend archaic legislation to keep pace with inclusion in our society.

Natural families are forced into unconscionable choice to obtain help towards

needed services and funding by surrendering guardianship to the Province. The

story of " S.M. " was shared with Toronto Star journalist, Talaga, in hope

that Amendment to the Alberta FSCD (Family Support for Children with

Disabilities) Act, Amendment, effective December 2006 will serve as precedent in

neighbouring jurisdictions:

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

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

and Services:

" The Family Support for Children with Disabilities Program to have separate

legislation from that of child protection services. "

Here is the Toronto Star Article, July 29, 2009:

http://register.thestar.com/article/673304

Alberta ahead on care of disabled children

Jul 29, 2009 04:30 AM

Talaga

Queen's Park Bureau

Families in Alberta who faced giving up parental rights to get medical care for

their severely disabled children convinced the province to change the law to let

them keep custody of their kids and get help to pay for their care.

But parents in Ontario say they are still struggling to be heard.

Under Alberta's Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act, parents who

can't afford steep medical bills for children needing round-the-clock care are

given assistance outside of child welfare.

Alberta recognized children with disabilities are different from children who

need to be placed under protective services by child welfare, said Trevor

Coulombe, a spokesman for Alberta's ministry of children and youth services. The

act provides parents with funding to access services.

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin recently revealed in his annual report his office

was contacted by 24 families who feared they would have to give up custody

because they can't afford care.

Marin's office has worked with the province to individually resolve cases but he

wants to see an overarching policy to help these families and others.

Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services Deb s is committed to

ensuring no parent has to give up a child to get service, said Spafford, a

ministry spokesman, who added Ontario is looking at what other jurisdictions are

doing in this area.

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(For a little girl who was said to be destined for little hope of accomplishing

much with her life, look at all the change she has achieved during her all too

short existence and continues to Advocate! Her story will unfold slowly but

surely. As events unravel, there will be peace with the positive changes

created in her wake. God Bless the children!)

Those striving to bring greater awareness to situations which are plaguing

scores of individuals - not in simply one locale - but across the Country and

Nation, are to be commended.