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INCREASED FUNDING ENHANCES SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN CARE
Feb. 25, 2009
Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Since 2001 the budget for the Ministry of Children and Family Development has been increased by more than $400 million – a 40% increase.
- Today funding that will specifically support children in care and families is $453 million a year – a $96 million or 21 per cent increase since 2000/01.
- Budget 2009 provides a further $47 million in increased funding over the next three years that will specifically support children in care and families.
- As a result of higher funding, over the last three years the government has increased foster rates by an average of $200 per child – which has enabled foster parents to maintain their commitment to children and youth in the face of increasing demands.
- Ministry practice has shifted with more focus on family group conferencing and mediations to address child welfare matters. As a result, more family units are remaining intact and fewer children are coming into care.
- Today, there are 8,960 children in the care of the ministry - 13 percent less than the 10,229 children in care in 2001.
- Today, for every one thousand children in the province, 9.8 are in the care of the province – compared to a rate of 10.8 in 2001.
- For every one thousand Aboriginal children in the province, 64 are in the care of the province - the same rate recorded in 2001.
Letters to the Editor
April 8, 2009
Letter to the Editor
INVESTMENTS IN FUTURE GENERATIONS
Tom Christensen
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Victoria Times Colonist
Status: Not published
We agree that government needs to be vigilant when spending taxpayers’ dollars, however we disagree with the statement that that money has been wasted as we move towards aboriginal child welfare reform. The extensive groundwork and consultations done by the regional interim aboriginal authorities has laid the foundation for us to move forward with a common vision for First Nations child and family wellness in this province. [Read More]
March 19, 2009
Letter to the Editor
AT RISK YOUTH
Tom Christensen
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: The Daily News (Prince Rupert)
Status: Not published
My thoughts go out to the mother who recently wrote about the plight of her teenage son.
Privacy legislation prevents me from commenting about a specific case. However, I want to
comment in a general way as readers might not appreciate the range of supports for at-risk youth
funded by the BC Government. [Read More]
Feb. 27, 2009
Letter to the Editor
FOSTERING INNOVATION IN CARING FOR CHILDREN
By Tom Christensen
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Victoria Times Colonist
Status: Not published
The Ministry of Children and Family Development acknowledges that challenges exist in
residential and foster care delivery. That's precisely why we conduct an ongoing analysis of cost and capacity pressures. [Read More]
Feb. 26, 2009
Letter to the Editor
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN A PRIORITY FOR GOVERNMENT
By Tom Christensen
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Kelowna Daily Courier
Status: Not published
The economic downtown has resulted in cost pressures for governments in every jurisdiction. In British Columbia, we are taking a responsible approach to this issue by protecting front line services for our most vulnerable children and youth. Indeed the Ministry of Children and Family Development continues to actively recruit for frontline vacancies. [Read More]
Opinion Editorials
Oct. 7, 2009
Opinion Editorial
INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE PROTECTED
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: To all regional's, Oct. 7, 2009
Status: Undetermined yet
In the Legislature on October 5, NDP MLA Maurine Karagianis suggested the Infant Development Program was being cut and then stated that for rural families "...there will be no place to go to try and get the kind of support system that families need."... [Read More]
