10 — Sunday, January 25, 1998 — North Shore News Care change & Service consolidation a concern Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com FOR families on the North Shore who need services funded by the Ministry of Children and Families, things are going to chan, And many of them don’t like it. About 150 people crowded into the auditorium at Cedardale Centre in West Vancouver last Monday evening for a Meeting hosted by the ministry’s regional operating officer, David Young. The ministry was created in 1996, by wansferring, rclevant services from five other min- istries. Its purpose, according to the provincial government, is to “close the gaps in the sys- tem to better protect children and support families.” Now, in phase nwo of the new ministry, the restructur- ing is about to hit services on the North Shore. “We inherited contracts from five ministries,” said Young at the meeting. | “And we want to consolidate.” According to Young, the ministry held 537 contracts with “40 or 50” agencies on the North Shore in 1997 and 1998 for assessment services, preventive, early support and Intervention services; services such as residential care, respite care, therapies, employment services and recreational pro- grams for children and adults with special needs; addiction services and services to sup- port aboriginal families on the North Shore. According to Young, the number of contr. reduced, the ministry will save money on administration costs and the elimination of service duplication. So, at the begin- ning of April, 11 contracts with North Shore service providers will take effect. Agencies that don’t win a con- tract, find a partnership or a sub-contract, have until June 30 to find new funding, or transfer their resources and close their doors. And although families and service providers have had some say in how and what ser- vices should be provided by the new contracts, they’re scared, ' Many in the audience said that bigger isn’t better, and for some families, ir had taken years to find services that worked for them, often at a small agency that offered more flexibility and often a unique approach to meeting the fami- Iv’s needs. BUY 6° GET 6 35 Buy 6 Hot Cross Buns for a s2 and receive 6 FREE offer valid Jan 22 - Jan 28/58 Westiynn Bakery — EPL VALLEY RO, LY VALLEY CENTRE, ‘Public, Notice. 995.1622_ = | -1998, chlor . tap. water wi ‘Jevels Begirining nie eager 9, . bacteria. levels. a ef toe oa ‘ 7 The 1 first municipalities where changes will occur ae areas . within: | a Burnaby ‘ . -& City of North: onto ae Coquitlam a Delta | ‘a District of North Vanco 43 a Port Moody a Richmond. oS - Vancouver ; Chiorine levels in other municip. iti . will-be increased over the next six months. Nee - , For. more information: creased to . improve water Feats by. reducing in municipal’ q YN 9 Jai. : More wo dsy NEWS photo Cindy Goodmen °:. AN overhead presentation by the Ministry of Children and Families at the Cedardale Centre last week pro- - vided a summary of the impending restructuring of services to take place on the North Shore. At the meet-- 7 ing, many family members and service providers spoke up against the changes. “This smacks of institu- tionalization, if there’s no choice,” said one audience member. “We want to keep our decision-making, we want to be able to make choices. Also of concern was the speed at which the restructur- ing is taking place. “Pm very fearful you're moving too fast,” said one woman, whose 30-year-old daughter has multiple handi- caps. Drinking Water Quality Changes for s Greater Vancouver Improved disinfection is part of 4 region-wide program to provide i er supply that meets federal and provincial water quality standards, Oy Some water users may notice a change in the taste and odour of their drinking water. Placing a jug of water in your refrigerator overnight should remove any chlorinous taste or odour. _ an People with special health considerations y such its kidney dialysis Wients, May wish to contact their physicians. Fish aquarium owners shoud contact CVRD Water quality” informatj on Line A sAisos) 45 6010, : oN q re hoe aquarium shops for informaiion about dechlorination. For more informaticn on drinking water quality or the areas affected, contact your ¥ fae municipality cr the GVRD. Greater Vancuuver Regional District s6: Families Matter Watch for information about Family Services of the North Shore every Sunday. We'll keep you informed about events and Family Life Education courses. As well, we'll FAMILY SERVICES of the NORTH SHORE Excuse me, but where did my life go? Every once in a while you may just stop and shake your head for a moment to ponder this very question. Some- thing happened along the way and the woman we used to know has become engulfed in everyone else’s world but her own. The reality for most women is to mother, care for, organize and direct all the important things in her family’s world. The only problem is you can lose yourself in the process. Once you realize your life has evaporated it can cause real anxiety. Family Services of the North Shore offers a course to help women learn to make changes in their lives. it’s called Women’s Empower- ment and it is offered during the day as well as at night. New tax deductible donation deadline Untted Way fan 31/98. Serna hepery ; va Women's Empowerment Day Group #FS64 $80 Thurs. = 1:30-3:30pm 6 sess. Feb. 5 - Mar. 12 J. Matthews Avalon Centre 110-657 Marine Drive West Vancouver Women’s Esnpowerment Evening Group 4FS65 $80 Tues. 7:00 - 9:00 pm 6 sess. Feb. 3 - Mar 10 K. Laforest F.S.N.S. 101 - 255 W. Ist St. North Vancouver To register, or for information on our selection of parenting and personal growth courses call 988-5281. ote of the Nocth Shore ii a 10 wa cen trenginciing fons offer advice from professionals on all aspects of family life. « [- We welcome your comments. : Cee mee OOO Ree OOO R OOO EEE OE HEHEHE ROE DE CEOS ES EROODOOEESE TOS Get Out of My.| Life ... ... but first could r you drive me and:}. Cheryl to the Mall? . Does this sound familiar to you? Do you~ need sorne practical no nonsense tips to help you parent a teenager?. |” If you do, then plan to join Family Services. of the North Shore and the: Royal Bank at the Centennial Theatre on: Thursday, February 26° at 7:00 pm for an- enlightening and entertaining evening with Dr. Anthony Wolf.