FERGUS – Autism Behavioural Services Inc (ABS) therapeutic centre is hosting a fundraiser on April 13 to help mitigate funding cuts announced by the provincial government and continue to provide services for local youth.
On Feb. 6, the Progressive Conservative government announced a new autism funding model that capped funds at $140,000 per child until they turn 18. In an effort to process over 23,000 children on waitlists, the lump sum funding model led to a influx of families and children looking for treatment from private service providers.
The announcement drew mass criticism as a one-size fits all model that vastly underestimates the cost of yearly treatment, ABS officials state. The discrepancy between the $140,000 total funding and cost of yearly treatment will mean children on the spectrum will be thrown back into community schools without adequate support or transition planning, according to Autism Behavioural Services staff.
Since then the provincial government announced funding ‘enhancements’ on March 21, including scrapping the household earning exemption which made families with a yearly income larger than $250,000 ineligible to receive support.
Despite the recent enhancements, the new Ontario Autism Program was rolled out on April 1.
The organization is asking for community support to increase programs offered at the centre and provide for its new children coming off the waitlist.
“Whatever kids come off the list we are hoping to use the fundraising money to keep them going as long as possible,” said the centre’s operations manager Melissa Millard.
Millard began working for the organization after her four year old son began receiving treatment there.
“I also am doing most of the marketing, we are emailing all of the businesses … that’s my contribution because my son does come here,” she said.
‘Here for our kids’
“Every dime we get from this fundraiser will go towards making sure we are here for our kids,” she added.
The fundraiser will take place April 13 starting at 7pm at the Fergus Legion, 500 Blair St.
Autism Behavioural Services is hoping for a turnout of 350 people, the Legion’s capacity.
While there is no official target, Millard explains $55 an hour for Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI), Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy at the centre.
“[The provincial government keeps] changing how they are going to do things so we can’t really trust what it’s going to look like in six months so we are trying to get as much money as possible plus we want to help the kids who aren’t off the list yet,” said Millard.
Tickets are $15 a person and can be purchased at the door. The fundraiser will include live music, food, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw with drinks available for purchase.
It will also be an opportunity for families to meet and talk with Autism Behavioural Services staff.
“[Parents] can come talk to us if they have a child [on the spectrum] and they are worried all of the people are going to be there that they can talk to about what’s happening. We just want to raise the money for the kids as much as possible and help them through the whole transition of funding,” said Millard.
Those interested in purchasing a ticket for the event or donating to the cause are asked to email autismbservices@gmail.com or call Freya Hunter at 519-362-8793.
