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i SS iT, Se i Ebi nat 2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, September 12, 1995 "Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" Adoption advocate slams cuts by Durham CAS Reduction of serivce will force those conducting searches 'underground' By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Service cuts being imple- mented by the Durham Region branch of the Childrens' Aid Society will amount to a huge setback in the struggle for adoptees' rights, says a local advocate. Rik Davie of Nestleton, who helps adoptees seek out their family roots through the Parent finders organization, said in an interview last week that a reduction in services will make it that much more difficult to conduct searches, and force adoptees "underground", employing methods outside the system to find parents and siblings. The Durham CAS said in a news release last week that services to adoptees will be reduced to receiving referrals from adoptees who need infor- mation from agency records, or for medical information relat- ing to biological relatives. Until now the agency has played a role in providing adoptees with "blind background" informa- tion on biological parents, and has in some cases acted as a link between children and birth parents seeking one another. CAS executive director James Dubray said the cuts are necessary at a time when funding is being reduced, and the agency is seeking ways in which to do its job with less. The CAS has provided adoptees with information vol- untarily in the past, he said. "Adoption disclosure is a non-mandatory service.". But Mr. Davie, who two years ago launched a successful search for his birth mother, said he and his group fear the reduction in services will mean another roadblock will be thrown up in front of adoptees, who already face long and frus- trating searches because of rules governing the release of information. "The adoption community has been afraid ever since the (June provincial) election because we've been waiting to see what would happen," Mr. Davie said Friday. "we knew we were on the chopping block. "Any funding cuts to some- thing as important as adoption disclosure, which is just begin- ning to open up, is a giant step backward." Last week's announcement was another blow to the cause being put forth by adoptee advocates. Last fall, a bill which would have greatly eased the regulations surrounding release of birth parent infor- mation was defeated in the Ontario legislature when it failed to make it through third reading. . The continued closing of doors means adoptees have to employ methods that are out- side official avenues for infor- mation disclosure, said Mr. Davie, who tapped a number of sources outside the CAS in his successful search for his mother. "With these cutbacks, they are driving us undergound," he said. The Durham CAS said in its news release that expected cuts from the Ministry of Community and Social Services to be implemented next month have forced the agency to scale back staffing and services. Ironically, it is expected refer- rals to the agency will increase in the near future as other ser- vices also feel the funding pinch. _-- Government funding eliminates $1.2 million Schoolhouse Playcare Centres Inc. « licenced childcare centre with qualified staff * ages 2 to 12 years of age * preschool, schoolage, kindergarten & nursery school programs we are conveniently located in S.A.Cawker public school * hot nutritious meals and snacks provided Hours of operation 6:45am to 6:00pm Call for more information 985-8936 CONE LIKE READING A BOOK? because every time you buy a delicious Nuts About Chocolate Waffle Cone during September, 25¢ goes to Scugog Memorial Library for book purchases. It's definitely food for thought. Quality and service like they used CAS cuts to a Durham Region's Chil- dren's Aid Society is cutting back its services, focusing on providing "only the basics" in light of funding cutbacks from the provincial government. It's expected funding cuts from the Ministry of Community and social Services "will create a $1.2 million fiscal problem" for the agency, the CAS said in a news release sent out last week. CAS executive director James Dubray said his agency is still investigat- ing how to deal with the cutbacks, which will affect programs providing ser- vice for victims of sexual abuse, special needs chil- dren, adoptees seeking in- formation on their biologi- cal families, 'and other elements of the HIGH POINT STRR\EN lod: {| [cM elVV UI @:Tol.V {0 ]]) [c-N\ |) PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL CARE High Point Stables offers you the best in boarding and equestrian training programs. We are a new facility that will give you quality care for your show horse. As we show horses ourselves we know how difficult it is to find a boarding stable that will meet all your needs. BOARDING: training and breaking ¢ indoor arena ¢ individual care and feed programs ¢ box stalls * excellent turnout ® competitive rates. LESSONS: affordable * private, semi-private or group © all ages © clinics & seminars ¢ holiday programs © gov't licenced * qualified coaching For More Information Call: (905) 985-2591 or 1-800-830-4448 the CAS' mandate. Staff cuts will also occur, the re- lease said. Among the measures being employed immedi- ately at the CAS are: a Cuts of seven manage- ment staff and nine bar- gaining unit staff. a An end as of Sept. 30 of the CAS' Sexual Abuse Treatment program for children, teens and moth- ers. The Society will see another service provider to continue the work un- 0 . ot ] Jayson Callan len NMlusic Lid formery Irwin Smith Music Ltd. Back to School Special save 10%-75% of Music Instruments & Accessories September 1 to September 16 305 Queen St., Port Perry 985-2635 ER An RR RR SR I RE AT I nn an mn annie inning Pianos * Guitars * Drums ¢ PA Equipment Sales * Service * Rentals * Lessons Jayson & Heather Callan ffect programs der an arrangement to be made with the CAS. Q Special needs agree- ments for developmental- ly handicapped children will be capped, and over- time reduced. while needs of such children will con- tinue to be carried out, the CAS will lobby the provin- cial government for a poli- cy decision on the service, which is now provided vol- untarily by the CAS. a Adoption services will be reduced to one-third of its former staffing strength. Port YMCA has moved The YMCA, formerly at 269 Queen Street, Port Perry, has moved to the new Scugog Community Hall at 1655 Reach Road. Lots of fall programs will be offered there start- ing Sept. 25 so come for a visit and pick up a flyer, or watch for the Scugog Township/YMCA insert to be delivered to your home on Sept. 15. For more information or to register, call 985-2824. Lecture Series on; The History of Port Perry and the Lake Scugog Basin Multimedia presentations by Paul Arculus To be presented at the Museum Church on the dates specified. Lecture #1 Sept. 21 FOUNDATIONS Lecture #2 Oct. 19 PETER PERRY Lecture #3 Nov. 23 GROWTH $2.00 per lecture. Lake Scugog Historical Society members free. All proceeds to Lake Scugog Historical Society. Refreshments will be provided.