Tag Archives: autism funding

New MCFD Framework for Children with Support Needs

Breaking News: BC Government reverses decision on Autism Funding

On Friday, November 25, 2022, Premier David Eby announced a reversal of MCFD decision to discontinue individualized Autism Funding in 2025 and committed to maintaining individualized autism funding, engaging in deeper consultation for a new funding and service model for children and youth with support needs. See the press release here.

ACT is committed to encouraging the autism community to advocate for the needs of all children with diverse abilities or disabilities to be funded. There are strong signs that the disability community will stand together in the future. 

Individualized funding for autism to be phased out by 2025 and replaced with community service hubs.

On October 27, 2021, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) announced the end of individualized funding, effective 2025. This will affect the Autism Funding Programs and school-age extended therapy benefits. See the original media release.

Many families across disabilities are highly critical of MCFD’s proposed Framework for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) policy. However, there is time to develop a community response to this initiative. ACT is working with our community partners across disabilities to develop a cross sector response. We will be posting information on this page as it becomes available.

Community Initiatives & Events

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

Sign the Petition

The “Consultation Before Change” petition supporting individualized funding has now reached over 24,000. 
Add your signature here.

Facebook Advocacy Groups

Upcoming Rallies

  • None scheduled at this time.

Past Rallies

  • Thursday, October 27, 2022
    Protest at Vancouver-Point Grey MLA David Eby’s office
    Time: 4:30 – 6:30pm
    [Register with the organizer]
  • Friday, April 29, 2022
    Province-wide rally at local NDP MLA Offices
    See event details.
    Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
    [Register with BC Autism Advocacy]
  • Wednesday, February 9, 2022
    Rally at the BC Legislature in Victoria to demand community consultation and reconsideration of the CYSN framework.
    [Register via Eventbrite]
  • Friday, December 3, 2021
    Rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street)
    Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
    [No registration]
  • Thursday, November 252021
    Rally at the BC Legislature in Victoria to enable those with disabilities to thrive across government funded systems.
    Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
    [Register with BCEd Access]
  • Wednesday, November 242021
    Rally at the BC Legislature in Victoria in support of Individualized Funding
    Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
    [Register with Autism Support Network]

Other Initiatives:

  • None scheduled at this time.

Past Initiatives

  • November 26 to December 2, 2021
    Daily Lunch Hour Teach-ins
    12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
    Live discussions with organizations and families sharing how the barriers to access to equitable education intersect with all the other systems. [Contact BCED Access: [email protected]]

Community Response

Advocacy Tips from ACT

Advice on how to advocate on a system-wide basis so that all citizens across disabilities receive the support they need.

Translated Advocacy Tips

ACT has partnered with supporters to translate our advocacy tips. Now available in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Punjabi, Farsi, Hindi, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Community Feedback

ACT received messages and questions from nearly 500 families following the October 27 announcement.

Statements from ACT

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

Responses from Other Organizations

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

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

Media Reports

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

Updates from MCFD

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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

MCFD’s Framework Guides

MCFD Releases on the Selection of Family Connection Centres

Other MCFD Resources for Families and Professionals