MONTHLY Q&A
This month’s question is from a parent who has been advocating in the school system for four years. In addition to my response, I welcome other parents to share their tips and stories. Together, we have quite a network of experience!
Q. When I meet with school staff, I feel like I am always begging for services. Is this normal?
A. Yes. Unfortunately, that uncomfortable feeling has been expressed by many parents. Each new school year or change in support staff brings significant challenges along with it, and potentially negative impacts on your child’s progress. I have learned that school administrators are bound by budgets that are too small to meet the needs of the school’s entire special needs population, and this creates an annual competition for resources. Planning for your child’s education and advocating for the resources to meet her/his needs will go a long way towards successful inclusion in the classroom.
For the parent of a child with Special Needs, advocating is steady work. Within the school year there are cycles of intense lobbying for resources, for example the times when you are developing or amending an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In addition, the child also benefits from parents being involved in the monitoring of the IEP and following-up with those implementing it to ensure that the IEP goals are met and adapted if necessary.
It is important to know your rights and responsibilities as a parent advocate so that you can work most effectively towards fulfilling your child’s needs. What you are entitled to receive may not be offered to you if you do not specifically ask for the resources. Examples include: the number of hours your child receives one to one special assistant support, speech-language or occupational therapy sessions and equipment or an application for other specialized equipment through SET-BC. A positive and productive relationship with your school team is essential to successful outcomes.
MAPCL has a library of resources to assist parents with advocating in the school system, connections to parent advocates to assist families, and other resources on programs and services that promote community inclusion. For more information, please contact Monique Nelson, Family Resource Coordinator, at mnelson@mapcl.org.
MAPCL NEWS & INFORMATION
MAPCL Supports “End Waitlists Now!” Campaign
People with Developmental Disabilities Deserve Better.
MAPCL has joined a province-wide group of concerned individuals, families and other organizations in advocating for the end of waitlists for services. The coalition shares the fundamental belief that as long as people are waiting for the supports they need, the whole community suffers.
Fernando Coelho, the Chief Executive Officer of MAPCL provides his perspective on the reason this association joined the campaign: “MAPCL leadership signed on to this important initiative, because we agree that there is an urgent need for examination of the waitlist issue.”
He further shared his insights as to the types of answers needed to effectively forecast service needs and funding requirements for individuals in need.
"At this time, we don’t know the answer to basic questions such as who is being waitlisted for which services? Are there other eligible people who are not captured on existing lists? Do we have reliable measures for tracking our progress in reducing waitlists? What are the challenges and pressures that we need to address to eliminate waitlists? Until we have a better understanding of the situation, we are at risk of being unable to meet the challenges facing our community, not the least of which is an aging demographic.”
To learn more about how you can support this campaign,
please visit http://www.endwaitlists-now.org/?page_id=2
MEDIA REPORTS
** Registered Disability Savings Plan Update **
RDSP A WINNER
Last month's column on the new registered disability savings plan (RDSP) generated more reader response than any-thing I've written here before… See full article: http://www.financialpost.com/money/story.html?id=1187172
(Jamie Golombek, Financial Post, Saturday, January 17, 2009.)
GOVERNMENT EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR ESTABLISHING A PLAN AND APPLYING FOR THE 2008 GRANT AND BOND
At an event celebrating the national availability of Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs), the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the deadline for opening an RDSP, making contributions and applying for the matching Grant and the income-tested Bond for the 2008 contribution year has been extended to March 2, 2009 from December 31, 2008. The 2009 RDSP contribution year will begin March 3, 2009. (Ministry of Finance, Government of Canada, Toronto, December 23, 2008.) http://www.fin.gc.ca/n08/08-110-eng.asp
$5M FUND MEANS BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR DISABILITY CLIENTS
VANCOUVER – The Province is providing a $5-million grant to the Vancouver Foundation to help British Columbians with disabilities increase their savings for the future, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development…(January 12, 2009, Ministry of Housing and Social Development.) Full press release on-line:
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases...
HOW DOES $25 TURN IN $1700?
On January 12, Vancouver Foundation and the BC Government announced the Endowment 150. A $25 opening investment in a Registered Disability Savings Plan will be met by $150 from Vancouver Foundation’s Endowment 150. Combined with Federal government grants and bonds, a new RDSP account may have as much as $1700 to start. For more information, download the information brochure:
http://www.plan.ca/documents/RDSP_Endow150_brochure.pdf
ADDITIONAL FAMILY RESOURCES
Web Seminar - Autism Community Training ACT BC
Autism Community Training ACT BC has reduced its prices for the web-casts in response to tough economic times. Current offerings include:
- The Art of Advocacy Webcast - A Parent’s Guide to Advocating for Their Child With Special Needs
- What is ABA and Why is it Important in the Treatment of Autism?
- Practical Autism Treatment - From Theories to Realities
- Toilet Training for Everyone: It's Never Too Late!
For more information, please contact ACT BC, http://www.actbc.ca/
Tax Preparation
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is providing information on the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) CVITP offers free tax preparation to individuals with low income and simple tax situations. For more information, please see: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/menu-eng.html
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT
This “Find Your Inner Strength,” video clip is circulating widely on the web. It is a touching demonstration of believing in yourself. Enjoy (keep tissues handy!)
http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAPCL does not endorse individual service providers or events. This list of events may be of interest to families, and is included for your information. Feedback and additions to the calendar are welcome.
March 20 – 22, 2009
Zajac Ranch for Children has announced its Spring break family camp, which runs from March 20 – 22, 2009. The cost is $150.00 for a family up to 4 people and additional member is $50.00. For more information, please contact Ana Vega, Phone: 604.739.0444 Fax: 604.739.0441. Visit on-line: www.zajacranch.com
Contact
To share your questions, comments, news or network links with other families through this newsletter, contact Monique Nelson, Family Resource Coordinator:
Tel (604) 299-4001 local 262 ; email to mnelson@mapcl.org
Note - Meetings to discuss individual family needs are available by appointment. |
