There is still much uncertainty regarding the future of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Starbright Children害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e heartbroken,害羞草研究所� said Dr. Rhonda Nelson, executive director. 害羞草研究所淥ur agency has been a hub of services for decades, and we know how to structure services to meet the needs of children.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檚 mission statement is to 害羞草研究所満π卟菅芯克support the growth and development of children with exceptional developmental needs through early intervention services and empower their families害羞草研究所π卟菅芯克鶟
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.害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淲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,害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 funding will now be directed to that organization.
害羞草研究所淭his has been very upsetting to families and Starbright staff,害羞草研究所� said Nelson. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e extremely worried.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淭o grow the best that they possibly can, to acquire the skills that they will need.害羞草研究所�
She suggested the solution could be a twinning of services, an FCC for kids up to six and another for those six and older.
害羞草研究所淭hat solution has been posed by different groups, by families, by other service providers, so we害羞草研究所檙e hoping.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淭he intensive work they did helped my daughter, helped me, helped my family. In a year she started going to kindergarten,害羞草研究所� she explained.
Singh added she was shocked to learn Starbright is likely closing.
害羞草研究所淎 lot of parents are going through a lot of anxiety. This centre is truly a lifesaver.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲hen I turn to anybody to ask for support for Starbright, no question because this centre does such good work,害羞草研究所� she added. 害羞草研究所淲e bought into the success of Starbright.害羞草研究所�
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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