Child-care watchdogs forced to cut services; Funding cuts force layoffs at care referral agencies
The Daily News -- Nanaimo
01 May 2007
By: Derek Spalding

Government cutbacks have forced some child care referral centres to close their doors and lay off staff, which could make it more difficult for parents to find adequate day care.

Staff at child care referral centres around the province said good-bye to staff members on Monday, as government reduced their budgets by 33%.

In Nanaimo, that means that Patsy Dutton left her office for the last time at the Pacific Child and Family Enrichment Society, better known as Pacific Care. The referral agent, who for nine years has helped parents in Nanaimo and Victoria find day-care spaces, will now work out of an office in Courtenay.

"Consultants won't be readily available to parents seeking help," said Dutton.

Pacific Care delivers service to seven communities through a network of satellite offices from Ladysmith to Port Hardy and from the West Coast to Powell River.

Funding cuts forced layoffs to child care consultants in Nanaimo, Campbell River, and Port Alberni, according to Shirley Phillips, executive director for Pacific Care.

To avoid losing more employees, staff closed offices in Parksville, Port Alberni, Campbell River, Powell River, and Port Hardy. Remaining staff in these areas will have to work from home.

Up until Monday, the Ministry of Child and Family Development funded referral centres to the tune of $14 million annually.

As of today the government reduced the provincial budget to $9 million, a 33% reduction. The ministry originally announced 50% reductions to referral centres between April and September, after which it planned to further cut the annual budget to $3 million.

The change is a "relief" for Phillips, but she would prefer a "full restoration of funds" so referral centres can better serve parents and children throughout the province.

The cuts will also eliminate Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre, a provincial support program for B.C.'s 40 referral centres. All in all the cuts will continue to hurt families, according to Phillips.

"To the public, it may seem that the (referral centres) are safe now that the ministry is funding the program again," she said. "However, a 33% cut is significant and will have a big impact on service." ...