Keep CCRRs; they work
Trail Daily Times
February 6, 2007
Opinion -- By: Jennifer Sirges

Closing B.C.'s Childcare Resource and Referral programs is immensely short-sighted. CCRRs are the cornerstone of child-care programs for preschool children, a largely invisible but hugely significant population. Through CCRRs, all families and all children have equal access to services. So-called "vulnerable" children and families are able to receive support in the mainstream, and are not stigmatized or required to justify their vulnerability by accessing the store-front universal service of the CCRR.

Vulnerable children certainly require services. But whom do you consider vulnerable? Obviously those with diagnosed disabilities . . . but what about those with social impairments, behavioural challenges, dysfunctional parents, attachment disorders? What about children who have non- specific developmental delays? Children with babysitters that are inconsistent and always changing? Children who never get read to at home? Children who spend their days with Treehouse TV if they're lucky, adult programming if they're not?

According to the literacy goals our government has been promoting, ALL children are vulnerable.

The child-care coordination and support provided by CCRRs in B.C. is working. Vulnerable children are being served, and so are their parents. The beauty of it is that all children and families are eligible. To close CCRRs in favour of some undefined future project is insanely irresponsible.

Bad enough in cases like the Gove Inquiry that the barn door be closed after the horse has left; if CCRRs are discontinued, the government will be closing the barn door before the livestock even gets delivered.

Children -- ALL children -- are our future caregivers, and will themselves raise a generation to cope with a critically damaged and changing world. Existing services strengthen all children and families. CCRRs are working. Don't pull the plug!