Text of the press release:
Regulations that protect adults and children in licensed community care and day care facilities will be strengthened through a series of regional consultations set to start Sept. 28. The current adult care regulations and child care licensing regulations will be updated to clarify the health and safety standards that facility operators will be required to meet under the new Community Care and Assisted Living Act, proclaimed May 14, 2004. The regulations to the act apply to children in group day care centres, preschools, out of school care and family child care facilities, as well as people in residential care facilities, group homes, family care homes and mental health or addictions facilities. The consultations will take place through to Oct. 28, 2004 and will enable people in care, their families and care providers, advocates and the public to review and discuss the proposed changes. Members of the public are encouraged to submit written presentations at the consultation meetings or via the ministry's website at http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/ until the end of December. The consultation documents will be posted to the website following the public meetings. The certification and registration of early child care educators in group care facilities for children will be maintained in their current form in the regulations. Certification and registration are the responsibility of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The updated regulations are expected to take effect in spring 2005. In the meantime, the current Adult Care Regulations and the Child Care Licensing Regulation will continue to apply.