FSCD Policy Changes and Practice Shift Discussion Summary
Concerns raised by parents regarding specialized services focusing more on training parents than helping children led to immediate shifts in FSCD practice. Updates were made to provincial policy, staff training, and communication resources. The focus is now on supporting child-specific goals and increasing service provider capacity. This broader program shift emphasizes family-centered practice and direct support for children, promoting inclusion and resilience. The FSCD Act aims to strengthen families in caring for their children and facilitating development.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
FSCD Policy Changes and Practice Shift FSCD Service Provider Discussion Disability Services Branch September2018
Objective Share concerns raised by parents. Update on Government response including FSCD policy updates, the practice shift and next steps. Discuss how we work together to support children and families. Discuss service provider capacity. 2
Parents Identified Concerns Parents identified concerns about specialized services being too focused on training parents and not enough on helping children learn skills. Listening Sessions were held in Edmonton and Calgary in May 2018. The What we Heard document highlights the concerns and the governments commitment to changes. 3
Response to Concerns The Ministry committed to an immediate shift in FSCD practice along with: updates to FSCD s provincial policy; updates FSCD staff training resources; revised communication resources and website updates as well as tip sheets for families; a review of the FSCD MDT Multi-disciplinary Team process to ensure the process is clear and supportive for parents; and strategies to increase service provider capacity. 4
FSCD Practice Shift Discontinue parent training and coaching language. Support child specific goals and direct support to children. A more balanced approach in supporting children and families (sole focus is not parent capacity building). Parent involvement is not a requirement; it is based on family choice. FSCD Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) plays a supportive function for families; not an administrative barrier. 5
Broader Program Implications While the concerns raised by parents and the response largely focuses on specialized services, the practice shift has broader program implications related to: Family-centred practice Direct support for children, e.g. behavioural/developmental supports Advocacy support 6
FSCD Legislation The Act respects the ability of families to care for their children, values family-centered supports, promotes inclusion and recognizes the need for an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach. The Act sets the stage for FSCD to provide supports to children, parents and the family to be strong and resilient, to assist parents in the role of caring for their child, promote their child s development and help facilitate inclusion. 7
Legislation - Specialized Services Regulation FSCD Regulation provides for: 8
Family-Centred Support Family-centred support recognizes that parents know their child best, respects families as unique, allows families to define their own priorities and goals, and places parents at the centre of planning supports that will work for their child and family. It does not mean that parents are the sole target of intervention or that parental self-sufficiency is the goal. 9
Communication about Changes Minister Letter and What we Heard report sent to specialized services parents and service providers June 29, 2018 August 2, 2018 update to specialized service families and service providers, including: Updated policy sections FSCD Specialized Services General Info Tip Sheet FSCD Multiyear Agreement Tip Sheet FSCD Concerns Resolution Tip Sheet Specialized Services Practices and Approaches Tip Sheet 10
FSCD Policy Updates FSCD policy updates were implemented August 2, 2018. Specialized services policy was updated as well as other sections of the manual, including information on family- centred supports, program vision and outcomes to provide clarification and guidance to support the practice shift. 11
Continued Family-Centred Supports and Services: to support consistent understanding of family-centred practice and promote a balance between supporting the child and the family as a whole. FSCD Program Outcomes: to reflect a balanced approach between direct support to children and child outcomes, as well as family support and family outcomes. 12
Continued Specialized Services Policy Update: specialized services involve direct support for children parents are the experts on their child s needs and what will work best for their family parents do not need to be in the room or participate in order for their child to receive specialized services parent consultation is not a necessary component of specialized services as part of service planning with their team, families can determine what their level of involvement will be. 13
Continued Specialized service policy updates also clarify that: Parents are notexpected to become therapists to their child. Parents are not expected to provide direct services or intervention to their child. Parents are not required to do homework between meetings with their specialized services team. 14
Additional Listening Sessions Additional listening sessions will be held across the province to provide families, service providers and other interested stakeholders with the opportunity to validate what we heard and provide additional input on FSCD program improvement. 15
Service Provider Discussions Service delivery regions are meeting with their local services providers to discuss: the policy changes; the practice shift; opportunities to work together to ensure that children and families receive the support they need; and service provider capacity. 16
Tip Sheet for Service Providers A tip sheet is being finalized for services providers to clarify What the practice shift means for them Clarify that parent involvement is not a requirement for the provision of specialized services Clarify that child oriented goals should be included in Individualized Service Plans 17
Key discussion points for today Questions about what we heard? Questions / comments about the changes and the practice shift? How can we work together to support children and families? Service provider capacity? 18
