B.C. should not abandon its disability support system
Vancouver Sun
July 4, 2008
Editorial By: Michael Prince and Tim Stainton

The recent provincial cabinet shuffle and associated restructuring of ministries shatter the vision for providing an integrated, lifelong set of services for people with developmental disabilities. To appreciate the depth of shock, dismay and anxiety by individuals and families over the loss of this long-term vision, some background is necessary.

In 2001, and again in 2003, families and community groups participated in public consultations about the future of community living services for persons with developmental disabilities. In 2004, public input was invited concerning legislation for establishing a new approach to the design and delivery of lifelong supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Coalitions of stakeholders called for a new system characterized by flexibility, choice, social inclusion and responsiveness. A new crown agency, Community Living BC, was established, arms-length from traditional line ministries.

… The benefits of this integrated approach are continuity of care or supports through the lifespan of individuals. Families have traditionally experienced what has been described as falling off a cliff when their son or daughter turns 19 and they lose all children's services, forcing them to start again from scratch to put in place what are often essential services for the well-being of an individual with a developmental disability and the family. An integrated service system seeks to smooth this transition and avoid creating increased vulnerability at such a critical time.

Originally, the expected implementation of this transfer of service responsibility for children and youth with developmental disabilities from the ministry to Community Living BC was to happen by June 2006. For various reasons, the transfer was postponed, although successive ministers declared the government's ongoing commitment to realizing the goal. In the May 2005 provincial election, the Campbell government was re-elected with a platform espousing Five Great Goals, one of which is to "build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk and seniors." Families and community groups have taken this goal at face value as an important guide for the government's actions, including the continued transformation of community living services for persons with developmental disabilities.

However, this longstanding commitment to put into action the community's vision of a seamless lifelong system of support for children and youth with special needs, and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, is now in peril. Premier Gordon Campbell's decision completely separates government responsibilities for children and youth with special needs from adult community living services by dividing the system into two ministries:

- B.C. Adult Community Living Services and the responsibility for Community Living BC are to move to the newly created ministry of housing and social development where they will be an afterthought given the breadth and complexity of the new portfolio.

- Responsibility for children and youth with special needs, including the programs for children with special needs who have developmental disabilities currently at Community Living BC, have been moved back to the ministry of children and family development, now with an exclusive child welfare/protection focus, again something families do not want given the fact that their children generally need support, not protection.

Transformational changes, as is the case with Community Living BC, take time to be implemented effectively. …That was the public's view in 2001 and it remains the view today according to a recent B.C. Association for Community Living survey that showed more than 90 per cent of respondents in favour of an integrated system.

Regrettably, and distressingly for families, these changes in program responsibilities announced with the cabinet shuffle are a giant step backward for this vulnerable population. After years of uncertainty, they now have to confront another change of direction rather than stability and commitment to the espoused vision.

We urge the premier to reconsider the decision he made last week, with no consultation with the families and individuals most affected -- those he claims to wish to protect and serve better….

Michael J. Prince is professor of social policy at the University of Victoria. Tim Stainton is professor of social work at the University of British Columbia. Both are members of the B.C. Association for Community Living.