The last day of the family programs offered at the Lakes District campus of the College of New Caledonia (CNC) was March 31, 2016.
Most of the contracts were awarded to different agencies starting April 1, but who's taking over the contracts? When will the programs be delivered again in Burns Lake and where will they be offered?
Lakes District News contacted the different agencies that are taking over the contracts to answer these questions.
The daycare centre - one of several family and support programs being transitioned to other service providers in the community as part of CNC’s restructuring - will remain open until June 30, 2016. The college is currently looking for a not-for-profit society to ensure daycare services are available in September.
The Lakes District Family Enhancement Society (LDFES) will be taking over two programs starting mid-April - the prenatal nutrition and the Hasadeendee program. Cathy Ashurst, LDFES President, said LDFES has requested a room at the CNC Lakes District campus to provide some continuity for the participants.
Early intervention services will now be offered at the Muriel Mould Neighbourhood Learning Centre by the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre (BVCDC). Although BVDCD is still recruiting for some positions, services are already being offered in Burns Lake, says Kerri Bassett, BVCDC Executive Director.
"We're still recruiting for some positions, but our current team is available for any questions or referrals from the community for services," she said.
The BVCDC will be adding a new position to the early intervention services program - a family services coordinator. Although the BVCDC is based in Smithers, the organization has already been providing services to the Lakes District and Nechako Lakes region.
"We're quite familiar and we have a lot of experience working in those communities [Lakes District and Nechako Lakes communities]," she said.
Bassett said any questions from the community can be answered by calling their toll-free number at 1-855-947-4122, or visiting their website at www.bvcdc.ca
The Family Centered Program and Kids’ Edge were awarded to the Prince George and District Elizabeth Fry Society.
Kathi Heim, Executive Director of the Prince George and District Elizabeth Fry Society, said it still hasn't been determined when these two programs will be delivered again by their Burns Lake branch.
"As things develop we'll be forthcoming with the information," she said. "When those services are up and running we'll be making those announcements."
Heim said the new programs are a solid match for Elizabeth Fry's area of collaborative expertise, and existing programs.
“We are very excited for this opportunity and look forward to strengthening our already existing partnerships in Burns Lake and building new relationships as we move forward,” said Heim.
The Healthier Babies Brighter Futures program, which was a fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevention program, is no longer funded. In the past, the program received provincial and national recognition and offered services from Granisle to the Southside.
In the press release issued last week, CNC president Henry Reiser acknowledged that the transition of the family programs has not been an easy process.
“This has not been an easy process, but it was necessary so that CNC can continue to focus on its core business of offering high quality post-secondary education and training," he said. "CNC will also continue to work with community and regional partners to achieve these goals."