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Province Pledges To Boost Support For Kids With Autism

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Expect major changes to autism funding come 2020.

Children, Community and Social Services Minister Todd Smith says an expert panel will be reporting its findings to the Ontario government soon.

Smith met with local parents and care-givers of autistic children during a stop in Kenora this week.

He says the government is committed to a needs-based program that provides children with the supports they need to thrive.

Smith notes the needs vary from severe to low need and the funding should follow the individual child and their needs.

Smith stresses no one will be ignored during the transition period.

He says the province has “extended the two old programs to run parallel so that no children fall through the cracks. We are going to continue to provide the service as kids move out of the current program and into the new program in the new year.”

Northwest Monitor, August 4/19

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With the Ford government getting heat on the autism file there is a promise to make it work.

Vic Krasowski reports.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is hard at work building a new five-year strategic plan.

The board put it together with plenty of help coming from students.

Stuart Walter has the story.

Comic books, pet food, jewelry and bath soaps.

Some of the items you could have picked up recently at Rainy Lake Square in Fort Frances from a group of young entrepreneurs.

Randy Thoms stopped by to find out more.

One of the biggest summer events is back for another year.

The 37th Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival is already into its 3rd day of activities, but there is still a lot more to do until next Sunday.

Rayson Martyn has the details.

 

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Province Pledges To Improve Autism Program

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With the Ford government getting heat on the autism file there is a promise to making it work.

Todd Smith, the minister of social services, confesses he understands the anxiety parents of autistic children across the province have gone through over the last year.

Smith apologized to the parents saying they are “sorry for the anxiety that this has caused” and are “committed to getting this right.”

As part of the commitment, the province is expanding the scope of the autism expert panel to provide advice on what a needs-based autism program would look like.

The province has set aside $600 million for the autism program which the social services minister is confident is enough money.