British Columbia's children's representative says the province needs to do more to support children with disabilities and their families, citing a lack of adequate services and funding. With a promised change on the horizon, Jennifer Charlesworth calls for immediate funding increases, stronger mental health services, equitable access to education, and a cross-government data management system.
British Columbia’s children’s representative says in the 18 years her office has been in place, the province has been slow to respond to the growing needs of children with disabilities and their families, often reacting to tragedies rather than making improvements.
The latest report from her office says up to 83,000 young people with disabilities are not receiving adequate services in the province, and that while spending increased by 190 per cent in the last 18 years the majority of that went to salaries and a narrow set of programs. Her calls to action come ahead of a final report expected this year on a revamp of the provincial framework of services provided to children and youth with disabilities that was paused in 2022after significant pushback from families.
DISABILITIES EDUCATION HEALTH FUNDING GOVERNMENT
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