FAN 2021 Fall Bulletin

The Family Advocacy Network of Manitoba (FAN) hopes all Manitoba families are doing well and feel safe.

This pandemic is evidence of the discrepancies in services, of the importance of communication, and the need for connection. FAN continues to remind elected officials and public servants that families are and have stepped up during this pandemic out of love and necessity to safely give help to their loved ones. FAN thanks you for completing the Department of Families, CDS and CLDS programs, survey to find out how families and loved ones have adjusted to the pandemic. FAN contributed to the survey and the results will be shared giving FAN a better understanding of what is being experienced and what is missing. FAN also appreciates that families have participated in other surveys that have been sent to you. Your opinion matters as does the information you share. This is one way you help FAN so please complete all surveys in order for FAN to advocate for your needed supports and services. You can contact FAN directly about your concerns and experiences so that issues affecting your family and loved ones are shared with senior staff in government departments. For example, the Department of Families initiated the Service Coordination Pilot Project with three residential agencies this Spring (2021). As families now have had some experiences please let FAN know how things are going. Is the project meeting its goals of improving communication, ensuring accountability, protection and quality assurance issues for your loved one? Share what is happening.

Action Group reports:

Quality Care – this action group who have adult loved ones receiving services works in conjunction with Abilities Manitoba who received funding for a project to measure whether our loved ones in the residential service system are experiencing positive and meaningful outcomes and the impact of services on their lives. The project has been extended due to pandemic restrictions however Personal Outcome Measures are being conducted as required by protocols. For additional information on this valuable project go to abilitiesmanitoba.org.

Inclusive Education – this active group who have children in the school system continues to work with the Manitoba government on the BETTER EDUCATION STARTS TODAY (BEST) plan. The group has representatives on the Parent Engagement Task Force and Minister’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Education. Although Bill 64 is no more, these groups are still working to improve education in Manitoba. During the summer FAN sent out a survey on Inclusive Education in Manitoba to guide our participation in above mentioned groups. If you have not completed this survey please do as this information is still relevant to our advocacy efforts! The survey can be found on FAN’s website and will be circulated via email as well as social media again soon. Also, contact members of this action group if you need assistance advocating for a loved one during the pandemic or regardless of the pandemic at families.caregivers@gmail.com.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) – the SIL group has been very busy working on the SMILE project – Supporting Manitobans toward Independent Living Equity. Members of FAN have been working collaboratively with the University of Manitoba. Researchers have prepared surveys to gain important feedback so that there is a much better understanding of the process for individuals with disabilities transitioning into adulthood and the services needed. The surveys can be completed by individuals, caregivers, and support providers. If you have not received these surveys, please contact FAN at families.caregivers@gmail.com.

Families can come forward for help about a service they receive or have been denied. You might be surprised to find  that there has been a decision made about the service needed based on a situation like your own.

Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) – this is a new action group and has been identified as an important need by FAN members who have a loved one in childcare or needing childcare. Childcare services are imperative and such an action group would like to know of your experiences and welcome parents to join this group in order to achieve not only needed services but also knowledge and skills to improve services that have an impact on the hopes and dreams for your child. Please contact Danica through FAN at families.caregivers@gmail.com.

All families can benefit from the knowledge FAN gains from the work being done by each of these Action Groups. “Systems” that hold power over families can and are starting to change because families have started to network. The more families learn the more confident they become as advocates. Meeting or communicating with other parents who walk the same path and share similar experiences provides a sense of relief and validation that you are not alone.

Our loved ones with developmental diagnosis other related disabilities will have decisions made for or about them by government programs and service systems more than any other group of citizens. Being a member of FAN will help families learn a lot about the different bureaucracies with which they have to transact.

Because of your input FAN has developed expertise that it can offer. Meeting with government departments FAN does focus on how policies and practices can and need to change. FAN will share updates on progress in the future.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to your loved ones as you have travelled through these tough times. Thank you for joining Fan and for your support in our actions and efforts to provide valuable supports to move forward.

FAN is in need of a member who can volunteer to write the quarterly Bulletin or design a Newsletter. Communication and knowledge of FAN’s work as well as sharing resources is important to distribute to the membership. Executive and Core Committee members as well as Action Group leaders will provide articles for the publication. Help in this area would be appreciated. Contact FAN via the email address.

Please join FAN, join our Action groups, and encourage others to join us through our email address or website – www.fammb.ca.

NO MATTER HOW HARD THE WORLD PUSHES AGAINST US THERE IS SOMETHING STRONGER PUSHING BACK – LOVE.

FAN is Hope –Unity – Grassroots – Support – HUGS.