Concerns grow over centralizing support services for children
When Amie Hough found out about Kelowna, B.C., becoming one of the four communities chosen for a pilot family connections centre, she said she was blindsided. “My first reaction was shock and surprise,” said the concerned mom of a teen with Down syndrome.
Kelowna non-profit supporting children with special needs loses provincial funding bid
An Okanagan non-profit care provider that lost a recent bid for provincial funding says families of children with disabilities aren't being given a clear transition plan away from its services. The warning comes as the B.C. government reorganizes the delivery of its supports to families of children and youth with special needs, a change it says will give better access to care.
Large family connection centre in Kelowna will replace services offered at Starbright
Klaudia Van EmA 12,000 square foot space at the Capri Centre Mall in Kelowna is being renovated to become one of four new family connection centres in B.C. The provincial government is changing the delivery of support services for children and has chosen four communities for its Family Connection Centre (FCC) pilots, including Kelowna.merik [Global News]
Closure of children's development centre in Kelowna points to bigger problem
This inefficient and disorganized hub system pilot is going to cost the Okanagan one of its most utilized supports. Starbright, and all of the families that it serves, deserved better.
![Interview with Shane Picken (ARC) [skip to 1:06:49]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63c70962ead3b6505f10a4a4/1674086147070-SKTTJ0EG35MSWJC54IL1/chris-walker.200x200.jpg)
Interview with Shane Picken (ARC) [skip to 1:06:49]
Daybreak South with Chris Walker [CBC]
Parents reeling after news Kelowna, B.C. children’s development centre forced to close
The Starbright Children’s Development Centre in Kelowna, B.C., has been providing support to children and their families for 57 years. But after more than five decades, the centre is being forced to close for good.
Parents shocked Kelowna centre for kids with special needs forced to close after 57 years
It has been around for more than five decades supporting children with developmental needs. But the Starbright Children's Development Centre in Kelowna will soon be closing. The news is sending shock waves through the community of families who rely on the life-changing services it provides.
Interview with Carol Meise (Starbright) and Susan Peters (parent) [skip to 1:18:47]
Daybreak South with Chris Walker [CBC]
Local non-profit children service provider faces closure due to provincial funding change
A local non-profit organization that's been providing therapy and other services to children and youth since 1966 is set to lose the majority of its funding, after the province recently announced changes to how it delivers support for B.C. youth.