By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
A change in how local special needs resourcing (SNR) is delivered locally will see the loss of 39 jobs at Linck Child, Youth and Family Supports.
A media release from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent stated a “design change” to modernize the way SNR is delivered has led to the cancellation of the SNR contract with Linck, leading to the loss 24 full-time, six contract and nine casual positions.
“Shocked and disappointed,” is how Linck executive director Terri Thomas-Vanos described the reaction of employees upon hearing the news.
She said staff were more concerned about their young clients than themselves.
“The thing that I am most proud of, is that the very first question they asked is, ‘How will this affect the kids?'” Thomas-Vanos told The Voice. “I’ll always remember this as one of my most proud moments.”
In addition, Thomas-Vanos said the cuts will lead to the loss of a “network of knowledge” relating to assisting children with special needs.
In a press release, municipal officials said Chatham-Kent is “changing the way it funds and provides support in line with other municipalities in the province. The change in contract allows for a different provision of services, which will continue to be focused on inclusion in the classroom while strengthening the education and capacity building components.”
Under the current model, Linck staff travel to various child-care centres and schools to assist children and youth. In the proposed model, licensed child-care centres will hire employees directly to provide enhanced support services.
Josh Myers, director of childcare & early years for Chatham-Kent, said the decision is a “response to the growing and changing pressure on the child-care sector” the current model cannot meet.
“This sector continues to experience new and growing challenges post-pandemic in addition to the unforeseen challenges that the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program has created,” Myers said. “The need for services is growing and so the municipality has chosen to move in a new direction that better utilizes the child-care workforce by heavily focusing on their capacity to provide inclusive environments for all children.
“It is, however, recognized that some children will continue to need more intensive supports, and by funding child-care centers directly, we can increase the amount of direct supports available in the community,” he added.
The release also states that “inclusion coaches” will be hired to work alongside educators and supervisors, noting they will provide mentorship and strategies to educators to support children without the need for referrals.
In rare and complex cases, additional specialized supports, including external professionals, may be co-ordinated through the child-care operator, the release said.
“The current SNR model was created with positive intent, but is unable to meet the growing and new challenges that the child-care sector is experiencing,” the release added. “The sector has undergone considerable changes post-Covid and more recently the implementation of the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care program.”
The municipality wants parents and caregivers to know Chatham-Kent is working with Linck on the transition, noting they will be consulted in the process.
In her comments, Thomas-Vanos concluded that “everyone” involved wants the same thing, which is to provide high-quality services to children and teens who may need extra help.
The Linck staffing changes are slated to take place in mid-April. The agency currently operates with just under 200 employees.
