LEADERSHIP, CRITICISM, APPRECIATION / Part 357 / For Love and For Justice / Zabeth and Paul Bayne

I was headed from an early age in a direction I do not believe I preferred for myself. There were childhood signs and indicators in my youth that I would give leadership. I have been in leadership roles most of my life, certainly all of my adult life. That expression of my identity struggled with the creative side of me that required solitude, privacy and peace. In leadership I learned soon that criticism from others is part of the territory and I tolerated it. People with legitimate beefs I would hear and would work for solution but there was a time or two I almost chucked my responsibilities in the face of cranky, fractious people.

That's my preface to a comment that is sure to raise a few temperatures among my readers.

Here is my comment: THE MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT IS NECESSARY AND IT MEETS MANY SOCIAL NEEDS WITHIN OUR SOCIETY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

I need to say that. Complaints lodged against the Ministry of Children and Family Development run like a river on this blog site. It seems that I am perpetually ragging on MCFD as are commentators to my posts. It could be assumed that I am shortsighted and cannot see the commendable vision and achievements of MCFD work. Yet the accent placed on my daily posts is understandable since the origin for our collective dissatisfaction with MCFD is its child protection policy and practice. So, given my advocacy for Paul and Zabeth Bayne and my study of child protection, what more can be expected? My capitalized comment above strikes a balance that should place in a proper light the strong sentiments expressed by this blog.

Let's start with the new Ministry Plan. MCFD has its own marketing specialists so without serving to promote MCFD let me comment on the Ministry Plan for 2010-2013 presented under Honourable Mary Polak's signature.

It is valuable for discussion and negotiation purposes somewhere down the road, to recognize that during the past three years at least some fresh direction has been afforded to the ministry of CFD. That is what we are told. Listen to Ms. Polak's own words on page 3 of the report of the Service Plan 2010/11 – 2012/13. http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2010/sp/pdf/ministry/cfd.pdf

“This service plan represents a mid-way point in the organizational transformation that is driven by significant shifts in our vision and direction.... The Ministry of Children and Family Development 2010/11 – 2012/13 Service Plan was prepared under my direction, in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act.... Over the past three years we have been moving away from a service delivery model sometimes viewed as reactionary toward a proactive approach founded upon five core pillars that recognize and build on the strengths inherent in all children and families.”

“This philosophy is embodied in Strong, Safe and Supported: A Commitment to B.C.’s Children and Youth — the Ministry’s action plan that guides our work and our decisions. With an emphasis on prevention and early intervention, the five pillars contained in the action plan are based on a holistic approach to planning and delivering services and the best possible outcomes for children and families. We are focused on helping to build healthy families through early childhood development, quality child care, supports for children and youth with special needs, services for youth and support services for families. We are also focused on supporting an Aboriginal approach that is more inclusive and reflective of Aboriginal cultures and traditions.”

Here comes the judge – You!