By Isaac (Tamir) on Saturday, January 24, 1998 - 07:47 pm:

The FEAT BC Petition

FEAT BC has launched a petition drive directed towards the Premier of B.C., Glen Clark. The petition reads as follows:

iWe the undersigned, agree that the right to medicare, as one of the defining features of Canadian Nationhood, must include medically necessary autism treatment for all children who require it. It is fundamental that a childis access to medically necessary autism treatment be solely based on need and not individual ability to pay. We agree with sixty-three (63) B.C. Psychiatrists who believe medically necessary autism treatment must by fully funded by the Medical Services Plan, the B.C. Ministry of Health or both. We support the immediate establishment of an independent task force to find a way to provide medically necessary health care for all children with autism.i

Members of FEAT who would like copies of this petition to gain support for the cause of universally accessible, publicly funded Lovaas Autism Treatment, please contact F.E.A.T. of B.C. Many thanks to Diana Thomas for all her hard work and vision establishing this petition drive.

Informing Politicians
FEAT BC has prepared an information brief for Politicians. FEAT BC members have been requested to meet with their M.P. or M.L.A. to present the brief (if they are parents of an autistic child) and outline their individual situation. A package will be available at the FEAT BC Discussion Group meetings (or call FEAT BC at 604-534-6956 or 604-925-4401).

Speech to Rick Thorpe, M.L.A. Okanagan - Penticton, at M.L.A. Town Meeting, February 1998
(by Barbara Rodrigues)
______________________________________________________________________________________

This speech was given by Barbara Rodrigues, Mother of Jeremy. It has been added to the FEAT BC web site http://www.biogate.com/featbc
______________________________________________________________________________________


MLA TOWN MEETING

I would like to voice my concern and outrage at the current level of help or lack thereof for autistic children.

My son Jeremy will turn 4-years-old in March. He has no useful language. No self-help skills, doesn't dress/undress himself, is not toilet-trained. He has no social skills.

The present system is inadequate to deal with autistic children. The funding and services are lacking. We were on a waiting list for over a year for speech therapy and even then the current generic approach used for language delayed kids doesn't address the needs of autistic children.


They learn very differently and hence, need to be taught very differently.

The Government needs to address the fact that there is a lack of knowledgeable professionals who know how to teach and deal with autistic children.

The only one that I have met is a behavioral consultant whom we weren't even told about until Jeremy's behavior had escalated to the point where I could hardly get him dressed in the morning due to his tantrum behaviour and lashing out. He was constantly hitting himself and me in frustration and rage and had constantly been pulling the hair out in the back of his head leaving a noticeable bare spot.

By November of last year, I finally applied for respite. Although we've been approved by the panel in Victoria, there is no money available for the service. I am told that maybe in the summer but with the current state of affairs, who knows.

Due to frustration at the lack of progress my son has made, I began to research autism and treatment options. This is where I found out about Lovaas-type Applied Behavior Analysis and the great improvement it achieved for autistic children. This is where I found out about FEAT of BC. A non-profit organization made up of parents, relatives and friends who have decided to band together to work for universal access to effective autism treatment for all children diagnosed with autism and pervasive development disorders. The parents are running Lovaas-type ABA home-based programs for their autistic children.

The Lovaas-type ABA is the only scientifically backed, medically endorsed treatment available to autistic children.

But the Government excludes it from the Medical Services Plan.

Sixty-three (63) licensed B.C. psychiatrists deem it as "Medically Necessary Treatment".
Yet the B.C. government chooses to ignore them and discriminate against our autistic children.
So after extensive and exhaustive research, through books, articles, hundreds of testimonials from parents of autistic spectrum disordered children and the vast wealth of information on the internet, my husband and I have concluded that the best way to teach our son is through the ABA approach. We know first hand that the interventions supplied by the government are showing little or no progress. In fact, the only program that is showing any improvement, they are now trying to take away- but that's another fight and I will get in touch with you when that time comes.

To do this Lovaas-type ABA treatment, we have to fly in consultants from the U.S. and have them train us and the therapists that we have to hire and pay to work with our son so that he will have a chance to live as normal a life as possible.

I have had to go to the community service clubs and ask for money to help my son because the government refuses to do so.

When I asked about this treatment option which requires between 20-40 hours of therapy a week, I was told by the professionals that the FEAT people were fanatics and further more, if they (the professionals) worked with a special needs child for 4 hours a day, you'd see improvements.
Neither of this is true.

FEAT of BC seems to me to be dedicated, loving parents who want the best for their autistic children and feel it is their children's right to have proper and proven treatment paid for by the Government.

Also 4 hours a day of just any old therapy would not achieve the proven results of ABA treatment. Not all children need or require the intense treatment that autistic children so desperately need to learn in the crucial early years.

Furthermore, there is world wide research stating that early intense treatment is the best option for these children.

The current government programs of 1/2 to 1 hour a week are definitely not enough. The resources and services are underfunded and understaffed.

The needs of autistic children must be addressed by the government. Especially when early intervention is so very important. Our kids don't have the time for long waiting lists.

Before I go, I just have to tell you about one of these fanatical FEAT mothers whom I talked with last week.

She is a single mother with a 3 1/2 year-old autistic daughter and a six-year-old son. She works full time. Her husband left her two weeks after her daughter's diagnosis. She is running a home-based ABA program for her daughter. Her daughter is now saying ten words after seven months of treatment. I know this for a fact as I had the pleasure of listening to her on the phone.

To support her daughter's treatment, because the government refuses to, she rents out part of her house to two strangers. She has to share her kitchen, bathroom, living space.

On her lunch hours, she tries to do some sort of lobbying to get this treatment funded by the government, such as faxing letters to government officials, speaking at meetings.

On the night I talked with her, she had just got back with her kids from the park - cause kids need to play too. So you can imagine this woman's plate is more than full.

Yet the night she called me - she asked for no pity for herself, she complained not of her broken marriage but instead offered advice on how to keep mine together. She did not deny her daughter's autism but accepted it as her uniqueness. Yes, she was adamant about the Lovaas-type applied behavior analysis because it was working for her daughter and was giving her a chance.

That night she called to offer me support, to tell me that my son, Jeremy was lucky to have a mother like me- who won't accept the inadequacy, the uselessness, the hopelessness that was all the government funded programs had to offer my autistic son.

She listened to me rant and rave about the ignorance, the arrogance, the belligerence that I have encountered here in the Okanagan. Then she told me that she had to go- bath the kids- try and get some sleep. As you can imagine, her day is long. She told me to call her anytime that I needed someone to listen.
Before she hung up, she said she would say a prayer for my son and our family. She told me not to give up hope.

I would like to say if that's fanatical... I can only aspire to be so.

My name is Barbara Rodrigues.
My son is Jeremy.
He cannot talk.
But his voice must be heard.

Thank you.

Barbara,

What a lovely and eloquent speaker you are.
Your son is lucky to have you as his advocate.
Thanks for sharing.

DeeDee Doyle

P.S. Did you get my e-mail regarding Autism Partnership? I'm curious about what you decided to do. E-mail me privately if you get the chance ddoyle@nwdbc.com

Hi everyone! Just a thought here but there seems to be alot of us trying to secure funding for our ABA programs. For those of you who are at the Deputy Minister/Minister level, would you be interested in collectively taking a trip to Legislature to add a little more pressure? Just a thought, let me know if you are interested and perhaps we can organize something.....

Peggy Boon

ps. my e-mail address is ourhouse@direct.ca

To Peggy Boon,

My name is Dianne VillesEeche, I received your FEAT message today. Are you thinking of organizing a protest at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria?????
If you are let me know. I live in the Yukon so I won't be able to join in, but how about a Canada wide protest? All the autism groups could protest on a certain day at a certain time, so we do it simultaneously right across Canada. We could hold press conferences before and during, etc... get lot of national media attention. (Governments hate negative media attention.) Of course there would be a lot of work to organize it, but hey... What do you think?

Dianne
dvilleseche@yukon.net

Dear FEAT BC Discussion Group Members,

The family of a five-year-old child with autism filed suit Friday in Provincial Supreme Court against the Government of British Columbia.

There is an article on the story in Saturday's SUN. A copy can be downloaded at http://Fox.NSTN.Ca:80/~zacktam/FEATbc/downloads/ClassAction.pdf (an Acrobat PDF file).


Isaac
Miki's Dad

Hi Everyone,

First, youive got to read a part of what was in the SUN today:

***********************************************
iVaughn Palmer Vancouver Sun
VICTORIA - For all the controversy over the government's
$5-million promotional campaign for the Nisga's treaty,
the New Democrats insist it is paying off in a higher
level of support for their position.i

***********************************************

As many of you probably remember, this past Spring, Ted Nebbling, MLA, presented the FEAT BC 8200+ signature petition to Glen Clarke on the floor of the Legislature. The petition thousands of British Columbians signed reads as follows:

To the Premier of British Columbia: a petition to include medically necessary autism treatment in the B.C. public health care system
iThe Medical Services Plan and the Ministry of Health in British Columbia do not cover the cost of medically necessary autism treatment for childreni

We the undersigned, agree that the right to Medicare, as one of the defining features of Canadian Nationhood, must include medically necessary autism treatment for all children who require it. It is fundamental that a child's access to medically necessary autism treatment be solely based on need and not individual ability to pay. We agree with sixty-three (63) B.C. Psychiatrists who believe medically necessary autism treatment must be fully funded by the Medical Services Plan, the B.C. Ministry of Health or both. We support the immediate establishment of an independent task force to find a way to provide medically necessary health care for all children with autism.

The petition was also given by FEAT BC representatives to the Minister of Health and the Minister ifori Children & Families.

The official Government response to the petition was offered on the floor of the Legislature by Pietro Calendino, NDP MLA for Burnaby North. He said that Lovaas therapy was very effective (he actually helped someone in his riding get funding for her Lovaas program), but like most iAmericani therapies, Calendino said Lovaas treatment for children with autism was too expensive for this Government -- in these tough times of budget constraints.

In case anyone is still labouring under the misconception the problems we are all having with this Government are about money... they are not. Theyire all about misguided priorities and power.

The clipping from todayis Sun speaks about the outrage: This BC Government, with your tax dollars, in the midst of tough economic times, is spending five million dollars (yes, thatis $5,000,000!!) of your hard earned -- and obscenely taxed -- money on advertising. Those ads youire hearing on the radio are five million dollars of your money being used to sell BC Government ideology, while weire all struggling to save our kids. Those dollars... that small part of this Governmentis propaganda budget, could pay for the autism treatment program of every child in BC.

Next time a social worker or bureaucrat says they just donit have the money to pay for physician-prescribed autism treatment, tell them, iplease... donit insult my intelligencei.


***********************************************
iVaughn Palmer Vancouver Sun
VICTORIA - For all the controversy over the government's
$5-million promotional campaign for the Nisga's treaty,
the New Democrats insist it is paying off in a higher
level of support for their position.i

***********************************************

Take care,

Isaac

(Mikiis Dad)

I have found out that no matter how much you follw "THE RULES" of the Ministry of Children and Families they will always SHIT ON YOU. So instead of going through the Ministry chain of command I am recommending that you don't waste your time and go straight to the barn and deal with source of the smell.



Name Honourable Lois Boone
Title Minister for Children and Families
Organization Level EXEC.EXEC
Address Room 028
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
Telephone 250-387-9699
Postal Code

I am looking for a copy of the memo that was sent throughout the Ministry for Children and Families re: In-home Daycare Funding and ABA. We, the families in Victoria, would like to have a copy in our lending library.
Thanks for your help.

Franca
franca@pacificcoast.net
(250) 388-6932 FX

-Do you or someone you know receive In-Home Daycare funding from the Ministry for Children and
Families? Do you or someone you know receive the $107 child care subsidy from the Ministry for
Children and Families? If you answered eyesi to either of these questions, you will want to read on.

I have recently received a copy of the final draft on the Supported Child Care (SCC) policy which is now
being prepared by our friends in Victoria and will be presented to the Minister (Lois Boone) for her
approval at the end of April. If you donit want to lose your in-own-home day care dollars and or your
subsidy I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE MINISTER BEFORE THE END OF
APRIL.

Here are some exerpts from this draft policy: iSupported Child Care may provide supports in a childis
own home only in exceptional circumstances when a childis extra support needs would otherwise
preclude him or her from participating in a community child care setting with their peers e.g. severe
allergies, fragile immune system. If all other community alternatives have been exhausted, funding may
be provided for a time-limited period, with Manager approval.i
iThe need for in-own-home Supported Child Care service is to be clearly documented and
substantiated. The service is to be time-limited.......If the parents are not willing to work towards a more
inclusive child care arrangement, they are not considered eligible for supports.......i
iWhen the parent is paid directly through an authorization, the parent is considered to be the
employer of the caregiver, and must meet the obligations of an employer under federal and provincial
legislation. i

This is very unfair! The bottom line here is that MCF has decided they spend far too many $$is on
in-own-home daycare and are on a mission to wipe it out so they can balance their budget. Once again
this government is being driven by the ebottom linei and are doing so at the expense of our special needs
children. The eexceptional circumstancesi mentioned above are extremely limited and do not take into
consideration our children with Autism who need in-own-home daycare because they may have a
multitude of sensory issues, safety issues, and others. What about siblings, or the sometimes odd hours
that parents have to work? This policy would deny parents service based on their philosophy! And for
the few families who end up convincing their RED that they qualify, they will need to pay more dollars out
of their pockets for WCB coverage, and payroll deductions.

In addition, this ministry intends to begin income testing the $107, which means that unless your income
in unusually low, you will not qualify and be responsible for paying the entire space fee at your present
daycare or preschool. MCF will only pay for costs over and above the basic space fee if you qualify.

WE ARE BEING RAILROADED! LETiS WORK TOGETHER AND SHOW THIS GOVERNMENT ONCE
AGAIN WHAT WE ARE MADE OF! START SENDING IN THOSE LETTERS TO LOIS BOONE, AND
PLEASE DONiT FORGET TO CC THE MEDIA-IF WE HAVE MEDIA COVERAGE ON THIS, THE
GOVERNMENT IS SURE TO SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE. And donit forget to cc your MLA and remind
them that you will be a voter in the upcoming election this fall.

If you require further information or have questions (I have copies of the above documents and the
mailing/fax list for government and media) please feel free to contact me via e-mail (ourhouse@direct.ca)
or by fax (940-1129). I will get back to you quickly.

Peggy (No relation to Lois) Boon

Just a couple messages to pass on to you from the ASBC.

Dear Members,
>
> If any of you can make this rally, more info below, I would like to urge
> you to go along -
> with your children if possible.The information I am getting from Ministry
> of Children and Families workers is dire. Services for our children are
> about to be cut dramatically, and the prospect for receiving any if you
> don't have any currently are bleaker than ever. We have seen in the past
> that active political protest is about the only thing that works to
change
> government priorties. Let's let the government know that every child in
> British Columbia deserves to stay with their family with adequate
supports
> and that every child has right to go to school - including children with
> disabilities. I am sure that there will be support for this from ordinary
> members of the NDP but it won't hurt to remind them that our children are
> also citizens of B.C.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Deborah Pugh,


Greetings,
>
> I am writing to let you know that the Burnaby Association is having a
rally
> in front of the NDP convention on June 19th to protest the underfunding
and
> cuts to Community Living. It will start at 10:30 am and while the details
> are still being worked out, the date and time are firm. The Convention is
> being held in Burnaby at the Bill Copeland Sports Center at 3676
Kensington
> Avenue.
>
> The tone of this rally will be to encourage the grassroots members to
hold
> this government accountable for straying from party principles and
> forgetting to put people first. We will endeavor to be as respectful as
> possible and still get our point across. We hope to continue the momentum
> that the previous rallies in Victoria and Vancouver have started.
>
> We would appreciate it if as many people as possible could attend to
> demonstrate to the Government that we will not just stand aside and let
> them further compromise people and their families who are, perhaps, the
> most in need. Please feel free to e-mail this message to anyone who may
be
> able to attend.
>
> For further information please contact Maggie Vilvang or Jack Styan at
> 299-7851.
>
> Thank you,
>
>
> Kevin Lusignan
> President BAMH
>

Hi Looking for advice. The Federal Government has just sent us a notice that they will NOT be allowing us a credit for our consultant's airfare or lodging??? Did anyone else have this problem and would you be willing to share any info.

please email us at joe_rodrigues@bc.sympatico.ca

Thanks in advance.

Hi.

This is for Barbara regarding Revenue Canada. They have also denied all of our cash register receipts saying these receipts do not qualify as a medical expense. VERY FRUSTRATING!

To Mrs. Quinn from Ontario...at this point in time the best province to reside in for parents with children in ABA programs would be Alberta. Simply because the Alberta Government will pay for 90% of your total cost for your program + respite money as well.

The P.E.I. Government is funding 20 hours/per week of Lovaas therapy + 3 Consultant visits a year.

Here in British Columbia the Government will not pay for any portion of an ABA program. So parents here, like in other places, have to sacrafice and except the financial hardships that come along with the joys and excitement of new tasks and skills learned.

There isn't much in terms of options in this Country but it is definitely a start.

Hope this helps. Take care and keep us posted.
Michelle Weis

Hi Everyone!

Is there a central registry for newly diagnosed children with autism?

How many families in BC with children diagnosed with autism?

Please e mail Letty at lbjames@home.com

Hi everyone,

Our ABA compatriots in Ontario are lobbying their government to apportion autism intervention funds.

We are passing on a recent post from Suzanne Wetzel asking for support from fellow parents.

Thank you.

Sabrina

______________________


From: "Wetzel, Suzanne"
Subject: letter writing campaign to pressure gov. in Ontario


I am asking for a few minutes of your time to send an e-mail to a government
official here in Ontario. Briefly, in the last election new money was
earmarked for early intervention for autism. We were led to believe ABA
would be promoted, but, as usual, agencies in place seem to be winning the
battle. One reason being given is that they have received more letters
against ABA than pro ABA. I'd like to squash this argument FAST. A bit of
pressure, both local and international, can't hurt. So, please, join us in
a letter writing campaign. Below are two "generic" letters: one for
residents outside of Ontario, one for residents of Ontario. Please cut and
paste the appropriate letter, change if desired and e-mail to the address
below. Thank you ever so much!!!!

Suzanne


______________________________
Address to mail letter to:
susan.seaby@moh.gov.on.ca


Dear Ms. Seaby:

I am writing in support of those parents residing in Ontario, who wish your
government to make money available to fund ABA programs. I find it
astonishing that, in one of the richest provinces in a country
internationally recognized for its outstanding health care system, this is
not already the case. Since ABA has been scientifically proven to lead to
potential recovery from autism, the only treatment proven to do so, I'm
puzzled that your government should be reluctant to endorse ABA. Funds have
been set aside for the treatment of autism, why not ensure that it is spend
in the most effective manner possible? Please fund ABA-just like other
provinces and States are doing.

Ignoring ABA puts the reputation of the health care system in your province
and/or country to shame.

Sincerely,
______________________________

To Letty
there may not be a central registry but if you are looking for available services agencies etc this web site link has it covered.
http://www.autism-spectrum.com/helpsource.htm

>By David Chan (Chan) on Saturday, November 27, 1999 - 05:57
>pm:
>
> Did anyone see the thing about the family in Ontario suing
>fro A.B.A. is there any more info on that case?


Hi Everyone,

There*s been a bit of commotion in Ontario over the past few days about public funding for ABA. Specifically, two separate lawsuits, in as many days, were dropped on the Ontario government . Brenda Deskin filed the first, individual suit, and a group of 12 families filed the second action. Two separate press conferences were held, each one day apart from the other. The CBC national news carried the second Ontario press conference.

The *National* video clip of the story is available at http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/1999/11/25/autism991125
After the CBC link expires, I can e-mail a copy of the piece to anyone who needs it.

The story about *families suing in Ontario* is also on the CANOE internet news network. The CANOE story mentions British Columbia. It says, * In British Columbia, Barbara and Joe Rodrigues are fighting the province after they lost the $1,200 a month they received for their son Jeremy when the government discovered they were using Lovaas therapy

The piece is at http://www.canoe.ca/OntQueTicker/CANOE-wire.Autism-Lawsuit.html If this link expires we also have the story on file.


Isaac
(Miki*s dad)

It seems someone in the hallowed halls of Ottawa
has awoken and smelled the coffee...or at least
the beans grinding. The Canada Customs and Revenue
Agency, formerly known as Revenue Canada, have
changed the rules concerning medical expense
deductions effective for the 1999 tax year. The
entire guide "Information Concerning People with
Disabilities" can be downloaded at:
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4064eq/rc4064-e.pdf
Here are the two sections most relevant to those
of us without a convenient 'private insurance
plan' (everything between the lines quoted
directly from the guide):
--------------------------------------------------
Allowable medical expenses

Under proposed changes, you can claim amounts paid
for the following:

Therapy provided for a person who qualifies for
the disability amount by someone who is neither
under 18 nor your spouse. This does not include
amounts paid to a medical practitioner, such as a
qualified therapist, because these amounts are
already allowable as medical expenses. The therapy
has to be prescribed and supervised by a doctor, a
psychologist (in the case of a mental disability),
or an occupational therapist (in the case of a
physical disability).

Tutoring that a medical practitioner certifies as
necessary because of a person’s learning
disability or mental impairment, by someone who is
in the business of providing such services to the
public.
-------------------------------------------------
You'll find the above on page 9 of the guide, and
the two sections above nicely cover our teams and
consultants. It's not the ball game, but certainly
an inning or two. Cheers all around!

Avery
Ariel's Dad

Many thanks to Avery for the post on Revenue Canada*s new rules regarding disabilities deduction.

If Revenue Canada changes the link to their guide, "Information Concerning People with Disabilities", or if the URL link expires, the guide is available for download on the FeatBC server at http://featbc.org/downloads/TaxChanges99.pdf


Isaac
Miki*s dad

We're having our assessment for the At Home Program in the near future. We run a PACE program for our 5 year old boy (Eric).

How do they feel about having their money go to an ABA program?

Any suggestions? Please reply privately to gumnut@istar.ca

Thanks
Rob and Sherry

RE: New policy at Ministry for Children and Families


Hi all,

As many of you know may know, our not-so-favourite bureaucrats at Ministry for Children and Families (MCF) have become a bit nastier of late. The Ministry has recently targeted families running Lovaas programs (yes, they mentioned us by name). The policy change at MCF means no new funding contracts and many families receiving some funding may not be renewed.

The directive your local MCF Regional Operating Officer received came from Victoria (after the Auton suit was filed on August 14). This suggests things may get tougher. The Ministry order says ROOs no longer have regional discretion on funding for those of us doing Lovaas programs.

So, for anyone facing this problem who is thinking of putting their message on a placard to picket the local MCF office, please contact Michelle Weis for valuable advise thatis based on experience.

Michelle and Mark just won a tough battle against the Langley School district. The district refused to provide their son, Bradley, a full time aide at school. They said, iweid love to help you but we have no moneyi (sounds familiar). Michelle then hit the picket line in front of the School Board office with signs naming names and getting a sharp point across to bureaucrats driving in to work every morning.

Michelle achieved a very important goal by picketing the local office -- they could no longer ignore her and, she ATTACHED A PRICE TO THEIR POLICY. The people who made bad decisions affecting the future of her child were no longer anonymous. Michelle came to their place of work -- every day -- with a picket sign communicating the plight of her child and naming who was responsible. In a peaceful yet determined way Michelle said to the bureaucrat in charge: ieveryone you work with, and your family, and your community will know what you are doing to my disabled child with the stroke of a peni. Apparently this had some effect on folks at the Langley School District.

This may also be an effective way to communicate with the local MCF office and your community if things get tougher in the near future.

Michelle Weisis efforts also included putting protest flyers on windshields at the School Board parking lot and at the popular local shopping mall. The flyer also had a web address... Michelle and Mark had a protest site up on the web with very detailed information on their problem, including names and photographs of bureaucrats jeopardizing the safety and education of their son. Another part of the protest strategy was to ask (persistently) for the help of the local MLA, Rich Coleman, who met with them and helped in the fight.

If you are thinking of going to the picket line option and want to protest successfully, please contact Michelle to talk about ideas (ph. 882-9196, fax 882-9185 email: mark_weis@bc.sympatico.ca)


Isaac
(Miki's dad)

Hello Everyone,

I am not sure if this is the same directive letter that Isaac is refering to, but I do have a copy of this inter office memo from the ministry to all of the Regional Operating Officers. It too some work but I did manage to get a copy. It is signed by Diane Johnston and dated July the 30th 1998. The subject matter is "Ministry position Regarding Individualized Funding for Specific Treatments for Children and Youth with autism and their families.
If anyone has a scanner i would love to put a copy of this letter in the discussion group.
Sincerely
Bob Van Decker

Hi everyone.

For FEAT folks wondering why we're having more problems than usual with MCF bureaucrats, here is the "memo" handed down from Victoria. The timing of recent hassles is not flattering to Government. Some people think the change in Government policy vis a vis families doing Lovaas is somehow connected to the lawsuit filed against the Government in August.

BTW, the official dates on these docs don't mean much. Dates the directives were actually sent out is far more telling; the dates always seems to be after the writ was issued in the Auton case against the three ministries... coincidence?


Isaac
(Miki's Dad)

**************************************************
Dated August 7, 1998 [faxed to Roos on Aug. 26, 98]


To: Regional Operating Officers

Re: Ministry Position Regarding Individualized Funding for Specific Treatments for Children and Youth with Autism and Their Families

In order that decisions regarding Ministry for Children and Families services and supports are equitable and fair, and that current funding for treatments are based on best practices, we are adopting the following positions:

1. No further individualized funding for families to pay for any treatment options for children and youth with autism (such as Lovaas, Giant Steps) unless already authorized through an existing contractual agreement, pending the joint Ministry for iChildren and Families/ Ministry of Education action plan regarding consistent directions for children and youth with autism (due late fall 1998).

2. We are aware that some families have received individualized funding to assist with payments towards treatment options. Any future renewals or re-negotiations for existing contractual agreements must comply with current policy in the program/service area. Any exceptions must be approved by Diane Johnston, Assistant Deputy Minister, Child, Youth and Family Support[ Division.

3. We do provide a range of other supports for families and children/youth with special needs including children wit autism, and will continue to do this at the regional level based on each child/family situation;, their support needs and available resources.


Diane Johnston
Assistant Deputy Minister
Child, Youth and Family Support



Vaughan Dowie
Assistant Deputy Minister
Regional Operations and Performance Management

Hello everyone. Wanted to let you know what's been happening up here in the Okanagan. Penticton that is. My funding for 'in home daycare' was up for renewal at the end of September. I wrote my letters early and got the usual run around. Our bureaucrats up here are taking the memo sent out by Diane Johnston from Victoria to heart and are refusing to grant individualized funding. They have even gone so far as to call me and tell me that there is no longer 'in home daycare' in B.C. and the social worker told me she had NEVER heard of it before. My answer was 'I just came off of it'. Her answer, 'Oh, yah right.' I was told by my social worker that if I just met with them, they would be willing to work with me. Well, I was pleased. I typed up my letter of Jeremy before Lovaas treatment and the remarkable gains he has made in the 5 months we have been in the program. I was a little apprehensive but I went in good faith. I get there and WHAM! It was anything but a meeting about willing to work with me or helping Jeremy. Right away, I am told I have to conform to their way, blah, blah...To make a long story short, I walked out with no funding, and no help. They NEVER even asked about my son, or how he was doing. I have written to every agency to try and get help with this bureaucracy here in the Southern Interior Region to no avail. So my husband and I are now taking the 'Weis Approach'. We have set up a web site and plan on doing a campaign to get our story out and told. For while these people can deny our son the help he so desperately needs...we can also take a stand and say We won't be bullied!! Our little boy deserves to be treated much better by this Ministry for Children and Families.They have nothing to offer us but this money.For you see, unfortunately our son was involved in these government sponsored programs and got worse...I can't tell you the day that our son ceased to make eye contact or interact with us at all...I know it was while involved in Government sponsored preschool, with a behavior psychologist...I know it happened maybe over a period of months, maybe years...His Grandma calls it 'The day the lights went out in his eyes' Well, today with the Lovaas treatment program, the lights are shining once again in our sons' eyes.
So today I would like to ask all of you to visit our web site, send your comments to our Government officials here in the Okanagan.

They have shown that they don't care or believe in this little boy, maybe with your help we can make them change their ways.

Thank you for your time.

Barbara & Joe Rodrigues

web site -- http://featbc.org/www/penticton

We would like to express our thanks to FEAT of B.C. for generously donating the web space.

Hello everyone. Just want to update you on our situation. Unchanged...no funding yet. This is was my 6th day out on a picket line. Apparently, our Regional Operating Officer is still not prepared to offer us any help for our son. He's just following orders-- that's his defense.

I know how busy everyone is but Joe and I would like to ask each and everyone of you a huge favour. If you could just take a minute and drop a note to Mr. Childerhose, the ROO up here in support of Jeremy that would be greatly appreciated. If you could pass the web site address onto your therapists, friends, family and coworkers that would be great too.

You see Joe and I can't help thinking 'what if we had listened to this people and just gave up, just accepted their useless programs and warehoused our son in daycare??? What if we had truly believed them?? Each day that we see the amazing gains Jeremy makes, we are both thrilled yet disturbed at the future these people had set out for son...

Now, they are still trying to steal that future. We will not accept that.

If you could write a quick email on our son's behalf, or even the lines...

Jeremy Rodrigues does not YET speak...
I am a voice on his behalf.

Joe and I thank you for all your support. For all your caring. While we know there is little hope of these people ever doing the right thing on their own, we do feel there is hope of them being made to do it by public pressure.

We again thank you for taking the time.

Barbara & Joe Rodrigues
Proud parents of Jeremy

Rick Childerhose' email RCHILD@ssrv.gov.bc.ca

Today's Vancouver Sun printed the sad story of a woman who recently attempted suicide because she felt that was the only way to get desperately needed help for her autistic daughter.

The clipping is available at:

http://fox.nstn.ca/~zacktam/FEATbc/downloads/sun_04_12_99.pdf

UPDATE ON THE $107 AND MAILING LIST

Here is the mailing/fax list for your convenience. I have just heard that
the new eligibility criteria for the $107 subsidy is effective May 1/99.
So for any of you receiving this, you will be receiving your notice in the
mail shortly. If you would like a copy sooner, feel free to e-mail me at:
ourhouse@direct.ca

Peggy Boon


Honorable Lois Boone
Minister for Children & Families
Room 028
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-387-9699
Fax: 250-356-2290

Glen Clark
Premier
Room 156
Legislative Buildings
Victoria, B.C
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-387-1715
Fax: 250-387-0087

Mr. Gordon Campbell, MLA
Leader of the Opposition
207-2083 Alma Street
Vancouver, B.C
Phone:(Victoria #)250-563-9886
Fax: 250-565-4168

Linda Reid, MLA
Liberal Critic-MCF
Liberal Caucus
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-356-3056
Fax: 250-387-2731

The Vancouver Sun
200 Granville Street
Vancouver BC
Phone: 605-2111
Fax: 605-2323

The Province Newspaper
200 Granville Street
Vancouver BC
Phone: 605-2222
Fax: 605-2720

CBC (TV)
Phone: 662-6000
Fax: 662-6878

BCTV
Phone: 420-2288
Fax: 421-9427

Global TV
Phone: 876-1344
Fax: 874-5206


CBC(Radio)
Phone: 662-6000
Fax: 662-6913

VTV
Phone: 608-2868
Fax: 609-5894

CKNW
Phone: 331-2711
Fax: 331-2722



*DONiT FORGET TO SEND A COPY TO YOUR MLA AND LOCAL NEWSPAPER IF TIME
PERMITS.
**Long distance numbers can be accessed free of charge by phoning 660-2421
or 1-800-663-7867.


By Vanspron on Wednesday, March 25, 1998 - 11:31 pm:

We're having our assessment for the At Home Program in the near future. We run a PACE program for our 5 year old boy (Eric).

How do they feel about having their money go to an ABA program?

Any suggestions? Please reply privately to gumnut@istar.ca

Thanks
Rob and Sherry

RE: New policy at Ministry for Children and Families


Hi all,

As many of you know may know, our not-so-favourite bureaucrats at Ministry for Children and Families (MCF) have become a bit nastier of late. The Ministry has recently targeted families running Lovaas programs (yes, they mentioned us by name). The policy change at MCF means no new funding contracts and many families receiving some funding may not be renewed.

The directive your local MCF Regional Operating Officer received came from Victoria (after the Auton suit was filed on August 14). This suggests things may get tougher. The Ministry order says ROOs no longer have regional discretion on funding for those of us doing Lovaas programs.

So, for anyone facing this problem who is thinking of putting their message on a placard to picket the local MCF office, please contact Michelle Weis for valuable advise thatis based on experience.

Michelle and Mark just won a tough battle against the Langley School district. The district refused to provide their son, Bradley, a full time aide at school. They said, iweid love to help you but we have no moneyi (sounds familiar). Michelle then hit the picket line in front of the School Board office with signs naming names and getting a sharp point across to bureaucrats driving in to work every morning.

Michelle achieved a very important goal by picketing the local office -- they could no longer ignore her and, she ATTACHED A PRICE TO THEIR POLICY. The people who made bad decisions affecting the future of her child were no longer anonymous. Michelle came to their place of work -- every day -- with a picket sign communicating the plight of her child and naming who was responsible. In a peaceful yet determined way Michelle said to the bureaucrat in charge: ieveryone you work with, and your family, and your community will know what you are doing to my disabled child with the stroke of a peni. Apparently this had some effect on folks at the Langley School District.

This may also be an effective way to communicate with the local MCF office and your community if things get tougher in the near future.

Michelle Weisis efforts also included putting protest flyers on windshields at the School Board parking lot and at the popular local shopping mall. The flyer also had a web address... Michelle and Mark had a protest site up on the web with very detailed information on their problem, including names and photographs of bureaucrats jeopardizing the safety and education of their son. Another part of the protest strategy was to ask (persistently) for the help of the local MLA, Rich Coleman, who met with them and helped in the fight.

If you are thinking of going to the picket line option and want to protest successfully, please contact Michelle to talk about ideas (ph. 882-9196, fax 882-9185 email: mark_weis@bc.sympatico.ca)


Isaac
(Miki's dad)

Hello Everyone,

I am not sure if this is the same directive letter that Isaac is refering to, but I do have a copy of this inter office memo from the ministry to all of the Regional Operating Officers. It too some work but I did manage to get a copy. It is signed by Diane Johnston and dated July the 30th 1998. The subject matter is "Ministry position Regarding Individualized Funding for Specific Treatments for Children and Youth with autism and their families.
If anyone has a scanner i would love to put a copy of this letter in the discussion group.
Sincerely
Bob Van Decker

Hi everyone.

For FEAT folks wondering why we're having more problems than usual with MCF bureaucrats, here is the "memo" handed down from Victoria. The timing of recent hassles is not flattering to Government. Some people think the change in Government policy vis a vis families doing Lovaas is somehow connected to the lawsuit filed against the Government in August.

BTW, the official dates on these docs don't mean much. Dates the directives were actually sent out is far more telling; the dates always seems to be after the writ was issued in the Auton case against the three ministries... coincidence?


Isaac
(Miki's Dad)

**************************************************
Dated August 7, 1998 [faxed to Roos on Aug. 26, 98]


To: Regional Operating Officers

Re: Ministry Position Regarding Individualized Funding for Specific Treatments for Children and Youth with Autism and Their Families

In order that decisions regarding Ministry for Children and Families services and supports are equitable and fair, and that current funding for treatments are based on best practices, we are adopting the following positions:

1. No further individualized funding for families to pay for any treatment options for children and youth with autism (such as Lovaas, Giant Steps) unless already authorized through an existing contractual agreement, pending the joint Ministry for iChildren and Families/ Ministry of Education action plan regarding consistent directions for children and youth with autism (due late fall 1998).

2. We are aware that some families have received individualized funding to assist with payments towards treatment options. Any future renewals or re-negotiations for existing contractual agreements must comply with current policy in the program/service area. Any exceptions must be approved by Diane Johnston, Assistant Deputy Minister, Child, Youth and Family Support[ Division.

3. We do provide a range of other supports for families and children/youth with special needs including children wit autism, and will continue to do this at the regional level based on each child/family situation;, their support needs and available resources.


Diane Johnston
Assistant Deputy Minister
Child, Youth and Family Support



Vaughan Dowie
Assistant Deputy Minister
Regional Operations and Performance Management

Hello everyone. Wanted to let you know what's been happening up here in the Okanagan. Penticton that is. My funding for 'in home daycare' was up for renewal at the end of September. I wrote my letters early and got the usual run around. Our bureaucrats up here are taking the memo sent out by Diane Johnston from Victoria to heart and are refusing to grant individualized funding. They have even gone so far as to call me and tell me that there is no longer 'in home daycare' in B.C. and the social worker told me she had NEVER heard of it before. My answer was 'I just came off of it'. Her answer, 'Oh, yah right.' I was told by my social worker that if I just met with them, they would be willing to work with me. Well, I was pleased. I typed up my letter of Jeremy before Lovaas treatment and the remarkable gains he has made in the 5 months we have been in the program. I was a little apprehensive but I went in good faith. I get there and WHAM! It was anything but a meeting about willing to work with me or helping Jeremy. Right away, I am told I have to conform to their way, blah, blah...To make a long story short, I walked out with no funding, and no help. They NEVER even asked about my son, or how he was doing. I have written to every agency to try and get help with this bureaucracy here in the Southern Interior Region to no avail. So my husband and I are now taking the 'Weis Approach'. We have set up a web site and plan on doing a campaign to get our story out and told. For while these people can deny our son the help he so desperately needs...we can also take a stand and say We won't be bullied!! Our little boy deserves to be treated much better by this Ministry for Children and Families.They have nothing to offer us but this money.For you see, unfortunately our son was involved in these government sponsored programs and got worse...I can't tell you the day that our son ceased to make eye contact or interact with us at all...I know it was while involved in Government sponsored preschool, with a behavior psychologist...I know it happened maybe over a period of months, maybe years...His Grandma calls it 'The day the lights went out in his eyes' Well, today with the Lovaas treatment program, the lights are shining once again in our sons' eyes.
So today I would like to ask all of you to visit our web site, send your comments to our Government officials here in the Okanagan.

They have shown that they don't care or believe in this little boy, maybe with your help we can make them change their ways.

Thank you for your time.

Barbara & Joe Rodrigues

web site -- http://featbc.org/www/penticton

We would like to express our thanks to FEAT of B.C. for generously donating the web space.

Hello everyone. Just want to update you on our situation. Unchanged...no funding yet. This is was my 6th day out on a picket line. Apparently, our Regional Operating Officer is still not prepared to offer us any help for our son. He's just following orders-- that's his defense.

I know how busy everyone is but Joe and I would like to ask each and everyone of you a huge favour. If you could just take a minute and drop a note to Mr. Childerhose, the ROO up here in support of Jeremy that would be greatly appreciated. If you could pass the web site address onto your therapists, friends, family and coworkers that would be great too.

You see Joe and I can't help thinking 'what if we had listened to this people and just gave up, just accepted their useless programs and warehoused our son in daycare??? What if we had truly believed them?? Each day that we see the amazing gains Jeremy makes, we are both thrilled yet disturbed at the future these people had set out for son...

Now, they are still trying to steal that future. We will not accept that.

If you could write a quick email on our son's behalf, or even the lines...

Jeremy Rodrigues does not YET speak...
I am a voice on his behalf.

Joe and I thank you for all your support. For all your caring. While we know there is little hope of these people ever doing the right thing on their own, we do feel there is hope of them being made to do it by public pressure.

We again thank you for taking the time.

Barbara & Joe Rodrigues
Proud parents of Jeremy

Rick Childerhose' email RCHILD@ssrv.gov.bc.ca

Today's Vancouver Sun printed the sad story of a woman who recently attempted suicide because she felt that was the only way to get desperately needed help for her autistic daughter.

The clipping is available at:

http://www.featbc.org/downloads/sun_04_12_99.pdf

UPDATE ON THE $107 AND MAILING LIST

Here is the mailing/fax list for your convenience. I have just heard that
the new eligibility criteria for the $107 subsidy is effective May 1/99.
So for any of you receiving this, you will be receiving your notice in the
mail shortly. If you would like a copy sooner, feel free to e-mail me at:
ourhouse@direct.ca

Peggy Boon


Honorable Lois Boone
Minister for Children & Families
Room 028
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-387-9699
Fax: 250-356-2290

Glen Clark
Premier
Room 156
Legislative Buildings
Victoria, B.C
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-387-1715
Fax: 250-387-0087

Mr. Gordon Campbell, MLA
Leader of the Opposition
207-2083 Alma Street
Vancouver, B.C
Phone:(Victoria #)250-563-9886
Fax: 250-565-4168

Linda Reid, MLA
Liberal Critic-MCF
Liberal Caucus
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4
Phone: 250-356-3056
Fax: 250-387-2731

The Vancouver Sun
200 Granville Street
Vancouver BC
Phone: 605-2111
Fax: 605-2323

The Province Newspaper
200 Granville Street
Vancouver BC
Phone: 605-2222
Fax: 605-2720

CBC (TV)
Phone: 662-6000
Fax: 662-6878

BCTV
Phone: 420-2288
Fax: 421-9427

Global TV
Phone: 876-1344
Fax: 874-5206


CBC(Radio)
Phone: 662-6000
Fax: 662-6913

VTV
Phone: 608-2868
Fax: 609-5894

CKNW
Phone: 331-2711
Fax: 331-2722



*DONiT FORGET TO SEND A COPY TO YOUR MLA AND LOCAL NEWSPAPER IF TIME
PERMITS.
**Long distance numbers can be accessed free of charge by phoning 660-2421
or 1-800-663-7867.

Hello everyone. Just to update you on our Provincial funding battle. No change. Our funding is still denied. In fact, R. Thorpe MLA brought it up (again) in the legislature to L. Boone. She admitted that the Government would pay 1600.00 per month to put Jeremy in daycare but NO they won't give us back the 1000.00....Sad but true...

If you haven't been to the web site lately it's been updated and lots of new items added. You can actually send an ifax (a fax) directly to the offices of some key players. It's free and they will be able to read your letter right from their fax. There's lots of new ways to send out your messages so take a look and maybe read some of the news stories, etc. Also a nice comment to R. Thorpe, MLA who has been extremely supportive of our cause would be great. And as always don't forget the Penticton Herald at email mturner@ok.bc.ca ALWAYS prints it's letters to the editor. So please feel free to write.

the url has been changed so add it to your bookmarks its http://www.featbc.org/penticton/

All the best to everyone. Take Care.

Barbara & Joe Rodrigues

Just to let everyone know that BCTV will be doing a news item on us tonight. It will be on the 6:00 pm news. I hope everyone can watch and then email BCTV and thank them for doing such an important story.

Hopefully see you tonight.

Barbara, Joe & Jeremy Rodrigues

BCTV News reports on FEAT Mom's struggle against B.C. Government
________________________________________________________


Hello everyone,

BCTV News recently aired a story on the Rodrigues family and their ongoing struggle with the government of British Columbia regarding Lovaas Treatment. The story can be viewed directly by clicking on the following link: http://featbc.org/penticton/Clips/BCTV_News_10_05_99.ram (RealVideo).

The BCTV story, along with other media clips, is on the Rodrigues web site: http://featbc.org/penticton.

As many of us know, the plight of Barbara and Joe Rodrigues continues in the Okanagen, well after 100 days of protest. Like so many of our families, the RodriguesÕ are struggling under the tremendous financial and emotional burden of rescuing their child from autism (five year old Jeremy). But in British ColumbiaÕs Southern Okanagen MCF region, Barbara and Joe are up against an especially virulent strain of ChildrenÕs Ministry bureaucrat -- the neglect has been truly appalling.

It probably comes as no surprise to FEAT parents that the B.C. Government FULLY backs the Okanagen MCF decision to withhold the financial help Jeremy needs for the Lovaas Treatment his doctors have prescribed. The B.C. ChildrenÕs Commissioner is currently investigating the allegation of high level MCF neglect in this case.

In June, Southern Okanagen MLA, Rick Thorpe, queried the Minister for Children and Families in the B.C. legislature regarding little JeremyÕs need for physician-prescribed Lovaas Treatment. The Minister gave a terse and unambiguous reply:


"...as a ministry, we do not provide Lovaas treatment, or any other
particularly named treatment, for autistic children"

(Honourable Lois Boone, Minister for Children and Families & Deputy Premier; Hansard, June 9, 1999, P. 13471).


The RodriguesÕ struggle continues. Barbara is scheduled to give an interview tomorrow (10/15/99) with CBC Radio in Kelowna to further publicize their plight.


Isaac
(Miki's Dad)

Hi everyone,

CBC radio*s *Daybreak* Program recently interviewed Barbara Rodrigues and a high-level official from Ministry for Children and Families. Anyone who is outside the broadcast area can still catch the program at:

http://www.featbc.org/penticton/Clips/CBC_Radio_10_15_99.ram

... the audio clip is also available at http://featbc.org/penticton

Isaac
Miki's dad