Budgets of community access programs across the province that provide services to individuals with disabilities will be cut, including that of Barrhead’s own Blue Heron.
The announcement was made in the Alberta 2013 budget, but Blue Heron is now realizing the effect the $42 million province-wide cut will have.
Worst case scenario, Blue Heron will see a $1.6 million or 38 per cent cut to their budget. This means they could see anywhere from 40 to 45 full time equivalent positions disappear. Because not everyone works full time, up to 65 employees could be effected.
Blue Heron had a $4.7 million budget to provide support to 68 individuals funded through Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD). Blue Heron’s budget allocation was extended for the first three months of their fiscal year based on last year’s allocation, which is equal to $1.17 million.
Under the last fiscal year the monthly budget for supports was $392,000. For the remaining nine months of this fiscal year, from July 1 to the end of March, that could be reduced to $214,000.
Blue Heron executive director and CEO Ralph Helder said it’s a “dramatic drop” in supports that could be provided. Supports vary from individual to individual, and cuts to the funding could impact a number of different services.
“When individuals go out in the community, they typically have a support staff who accompanies them. There’s a possibility some of those supports may be withdrawn or not funded,” said Helder. “There’s overnight supports that are presently available to individuals, some of those may be withdrawn.”
A meeting was held May 7 at Blue Heron, where Dale Drummond, CEO at Northeast Community Board for Persons With Developmental Disabilities, and Glenn Hennig, chair of the Northeast Alberta Community Board of Persons with Developmental Disabilities spoke to families of individuals who receive support from Blue Heron.
Approximately 75 people attended, and were informed of the impact the reduction could have.
Each individual who uses Blue Heron’s services was assessed by a PDD interviewer using a tool called Support Intensity Scale (SIS), which determines the level of funding needed based on an individual’s needs.
Currently Blue Heron is meeting with PDD representatives and reviewing 68 individual programs to see if those placements are accurate.
“If there’s agreement between PDD and ourselves that individuals haven’t been placed appropriately based on the SIS, we’ll ask for a review for those individuals so they are placed appropriately,” said Helder. “Then the funding has to be determined after that.”
Based on received funding, Blue Heron will have to consider if certain programs can be offered. If funding isn’t there and that lack of funds jeopardizes an individual’s program, Helder said they won’t take that risk.
Although the final figures are yet to be determined, Helder said it needs to be soon as Blue Heron will be signing their new contract with PDD July 1.
What has been discussed is the worst case scenario said Helder, who has already met with concerned parents and staff, but regardless of what happens things are going to change.
“There’s a lot of anxiety, he said. “We’re actually going to have to start a staff reduction plan.”
As Blue Heron waits to see what the future holds, Helder said he is grateful for the support Barrhead has already shown.
“I want the community to know that we’re so grateful that Blue Heron has the support of the entire community,” said Helder. “I can tell you from experience I have never been in a community that is as inclusive of a community as Barrhead and the surrounding areas.”
