There is still much uncertainty regarding the future of Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Starbright Children乌鸦传媒檚 Development Centre and what its potential closure may mean for the families that rely on its specialized services.
Although Starbright has received transitional funding from the province to remain open until the end of June, what happens after that is unclear.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e heartbroken,乌鸦传媒� said Dr. Rhonda Nelson, executive director. 乌鸦传媒淥ur agency has been a hub of services for decades, and we know how to structure services to meet the needs of children.乌鸦传媒�
Starbright, which is a non-profit agency, has a service agreement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development that funds all its services, which are free to families. They include early intervention therapies, infant development program consultation, and supported child development,
Part of Starbright乌鸦传媒檚 mission statement is to 乌鸦传媒溛谘淮溅support the growth and development of children with exceptional developmental needs through early intervention services and empower their families乌鸦传媒ξ谘淮綕
That mission is now in jeopardy after the provincial government changed the service delivery model that supports neurodivergent children and their families.
READ MORE: B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 new autism funding model a disappointment says Autism BC
Pilot programs for Family Connection Centres (FCCs) will serve the Central Okanagan (Kelowna), and three other regions starting in the spring, with province-wide implementation set for 2024 if the pilot proves successful.
Starbright did submit a request for proposals months ago to become one of those FCCs.
乌鸦传媒淲e were aware that with such a massive change we needed to put forward a workable proposal that would be something that the province could consider,乌鸦传媒� added Nelson.
It was Jan. 5 this year that Starbright learned the contract for the FCC was awarded to Arc Programs, a for-profit business, and Starbright乌鸦传媒檚 funding will now be directed to that organization.
乌鸦传媒淭his has been very upsetting to families and Starbright staff,乌鸦传媒� said Nelson. 乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檙e extremely worried.乌鸦传媒�
One of her major concerns if Starbright were to close, is support and services for children up to six years old, especially as they transition to the school system.
乌鸦传媒淭o grow the best that they possibly can, to acquire the skills that they will need.乌鸦传媒�
She suggested the solution could be a twinning of services, an FCC for kids up to six and another for those six and older.
乌鸦传媒淭hat solution has been posed by different groups, by families, by other service providers, so we乌鸦传媒檙e hoping.乌鸦传媒�
Parent Mohini Singh, who is also a city councillor, is a staunch supporter of Starbright.
The organization provided support for her daughter 17 years ago when she was five.
乌鸦传媒淭he intensive work they did helped my daughter, helped me, helped my family. In a year she started going to kindergarten,乌鸦传媒� she explained.
Singh added she was shocked to learn Starbright is likely closing.
乌鸦传媒淎 lot of parents are going through a lot of anxiety. This centre is truly a lifesaver.乌鸦传媒�
Over the years Singh, along with other community members and groups, including the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Association, have raised funds for Starbright to cover the cost of equipment and other items not provided through provincial funding.
乌鸦传媒淲hen I turn to anybody to ask for support for Starbright, no question because this centre does such good work,乌鸦传媒� she added. 乌鸦传媒淲e bought into the success of Starbright.乌鸦传媒�
Nelson has invited Premier David Eby to visit Starbright to see the support and services it provides to families.
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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