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“The government is still failing to implement recommendations to address the crisis in community living that were developed by the stakeholders themselves, including families, self-advocates and community living agencies,” Kinna said.
Vancouver (17 Jan. 2013) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) says chronic underfunding is a huge, systemic and unaddressed problem at Community Living BC (CLBC).
“One year after releasing a 12-point plan, the government is claiming it’s making progress with community living. I don’t see any measurable evidence of this,” says BCGEU Social Service Component Chairperson Doug Kinna. In fact, a number of government claims are directly contradicted by the findings of a BCGEU/NUPGE survey of CLBC front line workers.
According to the survey:
- only a quarter of front line Community Living BC employees believe the government’s 12-point plan is an effective response to the problems in the sector;
- More than one half of all CLBC workers surveyed have made a budget-driven decision that has caused them concern over the last year, and over 40 per cent of surveyed CLBC workers have been required to cut services or supports that they considered necessary for their clients’ health, safety or well-being; and
- two-thirds of workers say that $2,800/year ($230 per month or less than two days) funding for respite services for families is inadequate.
Kinna says the governmenthas failed to implement recommendations developed by stakeholders themselves to address the crisis.
These unanimous recommendations include:
- an external review of CLBC’s mandate and operations;
- the establishment of an independent advocate for adults with developmental disabilities;
- ithe introduction of provincial legislation setting out the inclusion rights and support entitlements of adults with developmental disabilities; and
- regulation of home sharing.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE