Speak Easy April 2023 Newsletter

MCFD Update – At Home Program The Ministry of Children and Families have announced that starting April 1st, the maximum hourly rate paid through the At Home School-Aged Extended Therapy Program will be raised to $160 per hour ($60/hr for SLPAs). The maximum yearly amount has also increased from $3480 to $5760 per year. This increase is thanks to a small but determined group of parents and therapists who have been petitioning and meeting with MCFD since 2007. What does this mean for you? There is no longer a need for a co-pay arrangement or pro-rating hours to cover the short-fall from this program! Your billing arrangements will be updated immediately. Please note the program still only covers direct therapy hours and three indirect hours for meetings and reports; not equipment or home visit fees. A New Pilot CYSN Service Approach in Four Communities The Province is piloting a new service approach for children and youth with support needs and their families in four communities starting in Spring 2023. These communities are Kelowna, Prince Rupert, Terrace and Smithers. Pilot family connections centres (FCCs) are operated by contracted community organizations in four centres in the Central Okanagan and the North Coast / Bulkley Nechako. FCCs deliver a range of voluntary services, delivered by multidisciplinary teams including speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and behavioural analysts and consultants that can be accessed by children, youth and families without the involvement of the Ministry of Children and Family Development or ministry staff. The Province has paused the rollout of a plan to establish a provincial network of family connection centres, with the exception of four pilots. The service approach that is being piloted will be evaluated and this time will be used to allow for deeper engagement with all partners to build a better system of services for all children and youth with support that needs, that is co-developed with Indigenous communities. To learn more about the engagement process updates click here. We continue to monitor these changes to contracts. No More MASKS! The Ministry of Health just announced that effective immediately, masks are no longer required in most health care facilities. Moving forward our usual communicative diseases protocols remain in place. Please cancel your appointment if you or your family member is unwell. This includes symptoms like fever, sore throat, coughing, rashes, and vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hrs. Masks will still be available in our office and you may wear one, or request that we wear one, anytime you like. Frequent hand washing is recommended. Our therapy spaces will still be wiped down with disinfectant daily. All of our employees are vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 and Influenza, as per Ministry of Health requirements. All of our employees are provided with paid sick time so they can stay home when ill. Autism Acceptance Month April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to listen to autistic voices, rethink biases, and learn how to be better allies. Let’s recognize the beauty of neurodiversity. Check out the Apple App store for special discounts on AAC apps and Autism specific apps!