Disability support �in crisis’

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Close to a hundred parents and caregivers of children and adults with disabilities from across the province rallied October 28 on the steps of the Legislature to demand government action on what they call a crisis in human services support programs for people with disabilities.

The parents group Families Who Care, which organized the rally, says that years of underfunding by the provincial government means that agencies which provide support are finding it increasingly difficult to retain qualified staff, and day programs and in-home supports are becoming harder to access as a result.

“As the primary funder, the Alberta government has failed to provide adequate funding to pay staff competitive wages, and it is our children who are suffering with the constant turnover of caregivers,” said Lorrie Baer, a single mother with two children who have an unknown genetic disorder.

While she receives support from Family Services to Children with Disabilities for respite and personal care, Baer said there are not enough qualified caregivers to fill those hours, and her children are constantly forced to adjust to “a revolving door” of new staff.

Kim McLeod, whose seven-year-old son has cerebral palsy, says the staffing shortage means her son is often cared for by people who lack the necessary training.

“I have had some exceptional caregivers and dealt with many under-qualified caregivers, which can have disastrous results,” she told the crowd. “These caregivers are dealing with special needs people and must have the appropriate training. We have to properly educate them, and in return they must be compensated for the service they provide.”

McLeod says the situation has become so bad it might force her to quit the job she has had for 16 years.

“Every single day is a battle. You fight to keep your job, you fight to get funding for your child’s needs, you fight to get after-school care, you fight to get specialists to come see your son,” she told the crowd, choking back tears. “Some days are so overwhelming I sit in my car and cry because I feel so defeated.”

Laurie Schlamp, a front-line caregiver from Calgary said she works 12 12-hour days in a row and is paid just $15.50 per hour after seven years in the field.

“I could go somewhere else, but then what do I do with the social work that I studied for? This is my career. This is what I wanted to do. I don’t want to work at Tim Hortons.”

Premier Stelmach during question period in the Legislature defended his government and said it is aware there are issues with the salary levels of caregivers.

“I’m very proud of the record of this government although we do know that we have many people that require additional resources,” the premier said. “I met with many that provide these resources either on a contract basis or not-for-profit charitable organizations, and I said that we’re going to close the gap between those that are, let’s say, government-level salaries and those working for not-for-profit agencies.” V

Disability support �in crisis’

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