Alternative Programs

Hi all, sorry for taking so long to post. Here's a summary...our facilitator did an admirable job keeping us on track. Our guideline seemed to be the same as the other working groups. It was decided based on time that we wouldn't go through the 23 points as per the draft budget, but that we would go home have a look at the points and come back with our comments at the next meeting. After introducations, it was felt by the facilitator that there was a variety of knowledge of the programs. The facilitator asked for the experts in the room to speak to each of the programs. This did take some time. A question I asked was about waitlists for each of the programs and each program has a healthy wait list. At 8:30, we split into three groups and each group was tasked to discuss the three "C's"; consolidation; cohabitation and closure. We came back just shortly before 9 and it was clear that a defination for consolidation and cohabitation was needed as different people had different ideas. It was also clear that many of the people asked to attend, really didn't have a good feel for the process and what was expected by them. There was also a healthy discussion on whether children should be invited to attend to discuss their programs. Our homework was to go away read the draft budget and come back with ideas on what may have been missed and to hear back from parents; staff and stakeholder.