The Province is accepting applications for the new Minister’s Advisory Council on Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN MAC).
The council will be chaired by Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, and Dan Coulter, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility, will act as vice-chair. The council will support the ministry’s work toward transforming the system of supports for children and youth in B.C. and ensuring families are at the centre of those changes.
“It’s vital that we hear directly from families, youth, advocates and others as we move toward a new CYSN framework,” said Dean. “We are committed to building a stronger and more equitable system of supports for families, and I am excited at the opportunity to bring people together to create this change.”
The council will have up to 15 members, including parents or caregivers – representing Indigenous families, diverse ethnicities and areas of the province – whose children are accessing CYSN services, as well as an Indigenous Elder, a youth representative and a variety of representatives from CYSN umbrella organizations, with no more than two members representing the same diagnostic or service circumstances.
“We know the lived experiences of families and children with support needs vary greatly across the province,” said Coulter. “The composition of this council will reflect the diversity of families in B.C. and will help ensure the ministry delivers an inclusive CYSN framework that works for a broad range of children and families.”
Applications for positions on the CYSN MAC will be accepted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 24, 2021. Appointments are expected to be announced in spring 2021.
Consideration will be given to qualified individuals from all regions of the province with a broad range of backgrounds in service provision, advocacy and labour, as well as community and business environments related to children and youth with diverse abilities and support needs. The selection process will recognize lived experience and volunteer roles, as well as paid employment and academic achievements.
The establishment of this advisory council addresses the ministry’s December 2020 commitment to improve the system for families throughout the province, and ensure the voices and experiences of families are being heard and considered prior to the implementation of the CYSN service framework.
