Special Needs Strategy

Resolution No. 2021-11-21

Special Needs Strategy

WHEREAS approximately half of the First Nation population children require special needs services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language) and/or specialized equipment/services in the Mushkegowuk First Nations; and

WHEREAS; Mushkegowuk Council is in the final year of operating its Jordan's Principle Unit which is a three-year funding arrangement originally approved in 2019; and

WHEREAS; Provincially-funded rehabilitation services have been delivered to approximately 50 high needs children, but there remains a conservative estimate of children who still require intervention at various stages for assessment and service delivery; and

WHEREAS; The infrastructure, services organizations and financial resources necessary to support the access of families and children to support services within their communities are non-existent or minimal; and

WHEREAS; families are also hindered from obtaining services in their communities by a lack of practitioners on-site, thus they must travel to southern locations which is costly and creates financial hardships;

Mushkegowuk O.M.A continue with the development of expanded and comprehensive services under the Special Needs Strategy; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs support decentralizing services in the form of a Children First Centre of Excellence in the James Bay region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that

Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs supports Mushkegowuk O.M.A in the submission for funding for the expansion of the Special Needs Strategy and further develop Child Development Services.

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