There are a number of initiatives and events being organized. Check ACT’s Facebook for the latest updates.

See ACT’s statements in the wake of the announcement. We will keep this section updated as our advocacy work continues.

• February 28, 2024: BC Disability Collaborative Voices Disappointment over 2024 BC Budget’s Lack of Support for Disabled Children
• January 2024: ACT becomes a founding member of the BC Disability Collaborative
• July 7, 2023: ACT commitment to be part of a BC Disability Collaborative Design Summit
• March 13, 2023: The BC Disability Collaborative on CYSN: Public Statement on the 2023 Budget
• January 13, 2023: Letter to Honourable Premier Eby and Minister Mitzi Dean
• November 2022: Premier, minister commit to maintaining individualized autism funding, engaging in deeper consultation for a new funding and service model for children and youth with support needs
• September 6, 2022: Implementing the Family Connections Centres in British Columbia: Perspectives of Professionals on the Registry of Autism Service Providers
• February 8, 2022: Analysis identifies serious flaws in MCFD’s proposed tools for determining how children with disabilities qualify for support
• December 10, 2021: On International Human Rights Day: A Letter from a Parent to Premier Horgan
• December 3, 2021: 34 Disability Organizations Unite for Letter to Minister Dean Regarding CYSN Framework
• December 2, 2021: MCFD’s Consultation Process – Light on transparency, heavy on control
• November 18, 2021: Opposition to MCFD Framework Grows: Petition, Rallies in Victoria and Vancouver
• November 9, 2021: CKNW interview with Executive Director Deborah Pugh [Audio Vault: Nov 9, 3:14pm]
• November 8, 2021: Letter to Minister Dean regarding CYSN Framework & Funding Changes
• November 3, 2021: Response from 500 families to MCFD’s plan to phase out Autism Funding
• October 28, 2021: CBC’s “On the Coast” interview with Executive Director Deborah Pugh
• October 28, 2021: Confusion Over Need for Diagnosis Follows MCFD’s Announcement on Autism Funding
• October 27, 2021: What is your response to MCFD’s Announcement cancelling Autism Funding in 2025?

Statements from the British Columbia Disability Collective, a group of BC-based organizations, clinicians, researchers, and businesses, including ACT:

• February 8, 2022: Analysis identifies serious shortcomings in province’s proposed tools for determining which children with disabilities qualify for support
• December 3, 2021: Second Letter to Minster Dean regarding CYSN Framework (34 organizations)
• November 8, 2021: Letter to Minister Dean regarding CYSN Framework (8 organizations)

Statements about the proposed framework from organizations that serve families across disabilities:

• Autism BC [Resource page: MCFD’s Autism Funding Changes and Family Hubs: What you need to know and What you can do]
• Autism Support Network
• British Columbia Association for Behaviour Analysis (BC-ABA)
• BCEDAccess
• BC Disability
• Down Syndrome BC
• Family Support Institute BC [November 5 Update]
• First Nations Leadership Council
• Representative of Children and Youth
• Speech and Hearing BC
• Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC)

A selection of media coverage on the new MCFD framework. Follow ACT’s Facebook for the latest.

• November 30, 2022: Parents of kids with disabilities demand similar support as B.C. restores autism funding
• November 25, 2022: Families express relief as B.C. retracts plan to scrap individualized funding for children with autism
• October 5, 2022: B.C. pushes ahead with what parents call ‘clawback of care’ for autistic children
• September 15, 2022: Critics voice concerns with B.C. government’s new service model for children with disabilities
• September 6, 2022: 75% of B.C. autism service providers say care will be compromised under new hub model
• May 16, 2022: B.C. to launch ‘circle of care’ for neurodiverse kids but parents, experts concerned over staffing, assessment
• April 29, 2022: Parents of children with autism seek to avoid ‘disaster,’ protest B.C.’s new funding model
• February 22, 2022: B.C. Budget: Transition to controversial autism funding model to cost $172M
• February 19, 2022: Parents of kids with autism in small B.C. communities want more clarity around changes to supports, funding
• January 19, 2022: NDP government should fund families, not ministry
• December 14, 2021: Vancouver Island autism support providers blindsided by provincial funding changes
• November 24, 2021: ‘Condemned to a waitlist’ says B.C. parent protesting changes to autism funding
• November 24, 2021: Consultatio post facto (First Nations Leadership Council response)
• November 23, 2021: Therapist shortage could hinder new disability-support system for children
• November 12, 2021: Local mother outraged after Province monopolizes autism funding
• November 11, 2021: Provincial government’s changes to autism funding are unscientific and discriminatory
• November 10, 2021: ‘No faith’: B.C. autism community says they can’t support funding changes without consultation
• November 4, 2021: Concern and outrage after changes to BC’s autism funding system
• November 4, 2021: B.C. minister under fire for changes to child diverse needs support
• November 2, 2021: Opinion: BC funding cuts a critical blow for people with autism
• October 29, 2021: B.C. parents worry kids will suffer with changes to autism funding
• October 28, 2021: Planned changes to B.C. autism funding met with growing backlash
• October 27, 2021: Advocates raise concerns as B.C. moves to new support model for children with disabilities

Announcements and resources from MCFD on the CYSN framework. ACT will continue to update this section with information as it becomes available.

MCFD’s CYSN “Engagement” Updates

• CYSN Engagement Updates Summary Page (Updated May 18, 2022)
• Engagement Infographic

MCFD’s Framework Guides

• Service Framework and Service Descriptions Summary (Updated May 12, 2022)
  • Sommaire du cadre et des descriptions de service (French)
  • 服务架构及服务说明概览 (Simplified Chinese)
  • 服務框架和服務描述摘要 (Traditional Chinese)
  • ਸੇਵਾ ਫਰੇਮਵਰਕ ਅਤੇ ਸੇਵਾ ਵਰਣਨ ਸੰਖੇਪ (Punjabi)
  • Balangkas ng Serbisyo at Buod ng mga Paglalarawan ng Serbisyo (Tagalog)
• Family Connections Centres (Updated May 28, 2022)
• Frequency Asked Questions – Family Connection Centres (Updated August 10, 2022)
• Disability Services (Updated April 1, 2022)
  • At Home Program Respite (Updated April 1, 2022)
  • At Home Program Temporary Admission Process (Updated April 1, 2022)
• Provincial Services
• Appendices, Glossary of Terms, Bibliography

MCFD Releases on the Selection of Family Connection Centres

• Press Release: Process begins to select family connections centres (May 10, 2022)
• CYSN RFP Process Information Session (Recorded on May 19, 2022)

Other MCFD Resources for Families and Professionals

• Family Connections Centres to support families, children and youth with support needs (Updated January 19, 2022)
• What to expect during the change to Family Connections Centres (Updated January 17, 2022)
• Information for service providers assisting children and youth with support needs (Updated June 1, 2022)
• MCFD Resource Line: Call 1-833-882-0024.