With Starbright Child Development Centre set to close by this summer, Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield is questioning the NDP91裸聊视频檚 about-face on funding for the centre and others like it.

The not-for-profit agency provides services and support to children with developmental needs and their families, as well as other programs.

In January 2022, the provincial government announced it was pulling funding from organizations such as Starbright in favour of Family Connection Centres (FCCs) to deliver services.

That decision was reversed last fall, then recently reversed again when government decided to proceed with four pilot FCCs, including one in Kelowna to serve the Central Okanagan.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 concerned about the impact on the families,91裸聊视频� said Merrifield.

91裸聊视频淗ow they will be traumatized by this decision, and how they are going to be negatively impacted.91裸聊视频�

The province has given the multi-million dollar service contract for the pilot project to ARC Progams, a private, for-profit organization, leaving Starbright without funding.

Merrifield pointed out the closure of Starbright will not only impact families with neurodivergent children, but those who rely on the centre for its other programs.

91裸聊视频淚 had a parent with a deaf child ask, 91裸聊视频楬ow am I going to survive without them?91裸聊视频� Starbright is an incredible community support.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Kelowna child development centre continues to shine in face of closure

Starbright does have transitional funding from the province until the end of June, and executive director Dr. Rhonda Nelson is hopeful the centre can remain open after that.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 know yet what that looks like,91裸聊视频� she said.

Nelson has invited both Premier David Eby and Leader of the Opposition Kevin Falcon to visit Starbright.

91裸聊视频淭o be able to see what we do, speak with our families, talk with the agencies that we work so closely with,91裸聊视频� she explained.

In a letter to Eby, Nelson asserted that the NDP has 91裸聊视频渟et a course to dismantle an integrated, collaborative service that works with provincial bodies,91裸聊视频� including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, research institutes, family resources, and local school districts.

Merrifield said the NDP is being tone-deaf in dealing with parents and service providers.

91裸聊视频淭hey are not consulting with families, they are not ensuring a continuum of services, they are not actually listening.91裸聊视频�

She noted she has been contacted by hundreds of concerned parents.

91裸聊视频淭hese are absolutely heartbreaking stories of what the closure of Starbright will mean to these families.91裸聊视频�

Merrifield added she is not advocating cancellation of the pilot program, but instead suggested it be twinned with existing services, such as those provided by Starbright.

91裸聊视频淲e need to stop the transition to a full hub model and actually allow parents choice,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淲e need to consult with the families and ensure that continuum of services exists because ultimately it91裸聊视频檚 going to be our kids that fall through the cracks.91裸聊视频�

Nelson noted that one of her biggest concerns is that children under six years old will not receive, or delay in receiving needed services, under the new pilot project.

91裸聊视频淥ur first worry is for families and those children that we work with,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚t takes time to put into effect relationships and new services.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲e have five different departments, all specialists, and they work together to meet the needs of each child and the needs of the family.91裸聊视频�

A petition has been started to keep Starbright funded for children under six, and that it be made public how the pilot project for children and youth will operate.

READ MORE: 75% of B.C. autism service providers say care will be compromised under new hub model

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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