Premier David Eby has announced the province is scrapping plans to eliminate individualized funding for children with an autism diagnosis.
The news, announced in a Friday (Nov. 25) press release, marks an about-turn on a plan announced in October 2021 which would see such funding phased out in 2025 in favour of a controversial needs-based system.
Eby also announced the province is committed to engaging in deeper consultations with parents, caregivers, First Nations, Indigenous Peoples, experts, and practitioners in order to better understand how the current system can be improved.
含羞草研究社淓very child in B.C. should have the supports they need to thrive,含羞草研究社� said Eby. 含羞草研究社淲e are focused on listening to families of children and youth with support needs. We will work collaboratively with all partners to make sure our services work for every child.含羞草研究社�
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The change comes after protests by parents and caregivers against the proposed cuts 含羞草研究社� which organizations like Autism BC had described as a 含羞草研究社渄isappointment,含羞草研究社� and which was poised to cost taxpayers $172 million over three years, according to the province含羞草研究社檚 2022 budget released in February.
含羞草研究社淢any families will be incredibly relieved to know they can keep their direct autism funding and the service providers that support their autistic children,含羞草研究社� said Autism BC executive director Julia Boyle in the province含羞草研究社檚 news release.
含羞草研究社淲e thank the premier for listening to these families and respecting this choice. Much more work needs to be done to better serve the families and children that are left behind in the current Children and Youth with Support Needs framework. We look forward to doing this work together.含羞草研究社�
Eby含羞草研究社檚 announcement 含羞草研究社� which followed a meeting with Mitzi Dean, minister of children and family development, representatives of the First Nations Leadership Council, Autism BC, and B.C含羞草研究社檚 representative for children and youth 含羞草研究社� also included a pause on the rollout of the province含羞草研究社檚 plan to establish a network of family connection centres.
The exception to the above will be four pilot projects already scheduled for launch and new interim investments into the existing system while the new system is being developed.
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