Alberta families are facing challenges in securing care for their children as teachers gear up for a strike on Monday, with families of students with disabilities feeling the impact even more significantly. While after-school programs are extending their operating hours, the funding provided under Alberta’s Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) does not cover care during school hours. Parents of children receiving this funding are now urgently seeking specialized childcare services, which can cost around $25 per hour.
Keltie Marshall, co-founder of Hold My Hand Alberta, a group advocating for children with disabilities and their families, emphasized the difficulty in finding suitable caregivers for disabled children. Marshall and co-founder Shantel Mogos addressed their concerns in a letter to the FSCD program director. The province recently announced support for parents of children aged 12 and under, providing $30 per day per child during the strike, but families of middle and high school students with disabilities, requiring assistance during school hours, are left without adequate solutions.
Despite calls for the FSCD guidelines to accommodate these students, no commitment has been made by the province. Alberta’s Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides expressed a focus on minimizing disruptions for families during the strike but did not address specific plans for supporting children with disabilities. The government stated it is exploring ways to enhance support for families of children with complex needs in the event of a strike.
While discussions between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the government are ongoing, the strike remains a looming possibility. If the strike proceeds, it would mark the first provincewide teacher strike in Alberta’s history. The uncertainty of care options is a source of concern for parents, like Dave White, whose son requires additional support due to cerebral palsy. With limited options and gaps in support, families may face challenges, potentially leading to employment disruptions.
Trish Bowman, CEO of Inclusion Alberta, highlighted the strain on families and the potential impact on employment due to the lack of suitable care options. Suggestions have been made to amend FSCD rules to provide funding during school hours throughout the strike, including additional support for older students needing a support worker. As the strike deadline approaches, families are anxious about the repercussions on their children’s well-being and educational experience.