BC bill will regionalize community services - Children & Families

Community Action, Dec 9, 2002

VICTORIA -- Proposed legislation will change the way in which community services are delivered in BC from a centralized to a regional community-based system, says BC Minister of Children and Family Development Gordon Hogg.

It will allow the minister to create five interim aboriginal authorities, five regional governance authorities and an interim provincial community living authority.

The proposed bill, the Community Services Interim Authorities Act, is the result of a year-long community consultation process and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the province and BC aboriginal leaders. With the exception of the aboriginal authorities, which will be created during the next three to five years, the interim authorities will be fully defined in legislation by next spring, and complete transfers of responsibility, budgets and staff are expected to occur by spring 2004.

Currently, five regional planning committees have already begun community consultations with individuals and organizations about services to children at risk of harm or neglect, adults with developmental disabilities, children with special needs, youth in the justice system and the families of groups. In addition, aboriginal transition committees have also been formed to work with aboriginal communities to enhance their capacity to deliver a full range of family support and development services.

A community living transition steering committee, which has engaged in consultations with clients, their families and advocates during the past six months, recommended a single interim authority to plan for a permanent community living services authority for the 9,000 adults with developmental disabilities and for children with special needs along with their families.

BC has the highest percentage of children in care compared to the national average. From 1994 to 2001 the number of children in care increased by 60 percent.