2009-10-15 KDHDC

Norm Macdonald MLA Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

October 15, 2009

Kootenay Child Health and Development Centre ready to go,

just waiting for the funding

A much needed ‘one-stop shop’ for children’s health and development services in the East Kootenay is closer to becoming a reality. Proponents are now just waiting for the funding, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

The proposed Kootenay Child Health and Development Centre is a project that will bring a whole range of children’s services under one roof. Services provided will include infant development consultants, occupational and physical therapists, and teleconferencing facilities.

Two pediatricians will be basing their practices from the centre providing valuable opportunities for access to care and collaboration with other service providers.

“This is a wonderful concept that is badly needed in the Kootenays,” said Macdonald. “I’ve toured the site and viewed the plans and this is a project that will have tremendous value to children from Golden to Elkford.”

The centre is ready to proceed with service providers signed on, and operational funding in place, but what is missing is the funding that will complete the renovations on the building.

“I met with many of the partners and with a member of the fundraising team. They are awaiting confirmation of funding from a number of sources including the federal government’s Community Adjustment Fund.

“This is a somewhat unusual situation in that most often projects are delayed because they cannot secure operational funding. This is completely different. The only thing holding up this project is the initial funding for renovations.”

As a former educator and principal, Macdonald knows well the importance of providing child health and development services within our region. Lack of access to services in the Kootenays is a real barrier to treatment.

Currently, children in the area are referred to Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver.

“We need to do what is best for our kids. We need to ensure that they get the best start possible. And we need to ensure that the care they need is available within our own region.”

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BACKGROUNDER:

Kootenay Child Health and Development Centre:

· Will be located in a 13,000 square foot building located in Cranbrook’s downtown core
· Will house:

o Pediatricians (2)
o Pediatric therapies (occupational therapist and physical therapist)
o Interior Health Children’s Assessment Network
o Ministry of Child & Family Development social worker
o Aboriginal services
o Infant mental health
o Behavioral support services
o Children First Program
o East Kootenay infant development program
o East Kootenay supported development program
o East Kootenay Childcare and Resource Referral
o East Kootenay Friends of Children
o FASD and autism services
o Kids Connection Preschool
o Telehealth teleconferencing
o Toy and equipment lending library
o Office space for visiting professionals

The East Kootenay region will realize the following benefits:

Provision of services closer to where families reside
Integration of the best use of resources that are currently distributed across the region and/or province
Co-location of related services
Improving clinical relationships between our pediatricians and community professionals and specialists in other regions
Provision of the infrastructure to support increased numbers of clinical assessments for children with complex developmental disorders
Enhanced planning, coordination and teamwork