We envision an education culture that celebrates and embraces uniqueness, has appropriate supports and resources and provides equitable access to lifelong learning.
BCACL Submission to Standing Committee on Finance
Summary:
BCACL has submitted a written report to the Select Standing Committee on Finance as part of the provincial pre-budget consultation process.
Summary of Recommendations:
- Make a significant financial investment that will provide adequate funding for the expected growing caseload of individuals and families needing supports and services from Community Living BC as youth with special needs transition to adult life.
- Make a significant financial investment that will address the needs of those who are waiting for the supports and services they need to live independently and be included in the community.
- Make a minimum investment of $40 million to address the thousands of children and youth and their families who are waiting for urgent therapy services, infant development programs, supported child development programs and respite care.
- Set in place a three-year strategic initiative to address the needs of children and youth with special needs and their families that includes real community partnerships and input.
- Protect funding to ensure high quality education plans that allow for transition between high school and post secondary for students with special needs.
- Provide new funding to improve supports that help students with special needs be included in regular classrooms.
- Invest in pre and post professional training and development for educators so they can teach students with varying abilities in inclusive settings.
- Enhance funding of the Customized Employment Demonstration projects through Community Living BC’s Community Inclusion fund.
- Provide extra funding from the Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) and the Labour Market Agreement (LMA) for Community Living BC to continue this work.
- Improve income assistance programs in terms of raising the asset limits, increasing the earnings exemption, raising the basic rates or indexing these benefit rates to annual increases in the cost of living of British Columbia.
- Ensure that all new or continuing funding is allocated with a clear vision of inclusion based on full participation, citizenship and the unique needs of the individual with a developmental disability.
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