More evidence independent CLBC review needed

Chelsea McGarry is 18. The young Quesnel woman has Down syndrome, autism, early onset Alzheimer�s, diabetes and celiac disease.
It�s been quite a struggle. But Chelsea had been receiving enough supports and service to allow her mum, Shelley, to care for her at home.
Until now. Because when Chelsea turns 19 in December, those supports get chopped and her file transfers to Community Living B.C.
And that problem-plagued Crown corporation, struggling with underfunding, refused to approve a care plan.
Chelsea�s mother has been battling for support. Children�s Representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has advocated for her, and so has her MLA, Bob Simpson.
But only when Times Colonist reporter Lindsay Kines reported on the nightmare did CLBC agree to new meetings to resolve the issues, and the outcome of those is far from clear.
It�s yet another example of how vulnerable are, how fearful they are of making waves in case they face reprisals, and how badly an independent review of the troubled agency is needed.
CLBC was set up in 2005 to provide support and services to adults with developmental disabilities � mental handicaps � and their families. Many have other emotional, mental and physical problems that complicate their lives.
But every year since then, the amount of money available per client has been cut. Services have been reduced and the approximately 550 teens who �age out� and shift to CLBC supports face massive struggles to maintain the quality of their lives.
The corporation has pushed people from staffed group homes, sometimes after years of residence, into homeshares, a a cheaper alternative. CLBC has argued that some clients do better in the new settings.
But Kines uncovered a review of one of the companies managing homeshare services in the Lower Mainland. The consultants report, done for CLBC, was shocking. The consultant could find no evidence basic background checks had been done on some of those providing homeshares to vulnerable adults. There was a lack of training and poor oversight. Homeshare providers weren�t given the information they needed on client�s behavioural and health problems, leading to potentially dangerous incidents and a series of �crisis situations.�
The company, which manages 44 homeshare contracts, was stretched too thinly to properly monitor care. Its manager noted the rush to close group homes � almost 10 per cent have been closed � created similar pressures across the province.
It�s far from the only example of problems.
CLBC refused for months to provide information on wait lists, before revealing that 2,089 people � about one in six clients � receiving some services were waiting for supports to meet identified needs. Another 751 people were getting no services and waiting for help and support. It�s still not know how long the waits last.
The government was forced to come up with an extra $6 million in September because inadequate funding had left clients facing urgent threats to their health and safety, an indication of a basic planning and budgeting failure.
And the government effectively acknowledged the problems, recently firing the CEO of Community Living BC and the minister responsible, Harry Bloy. (The corporation has reported to four different ministers in the last year.)
New Social Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux has promised internal reviews and a greater focus on responding to families� concerns.
That�s not good enough. CLBC has already betrayed families� trust by repeatedly denying that people were being forced from group homes before finally admitting that was simply untrue.
And the attempts to deal with individual cases when they capture media attention themselves raises more concerns.
What of the people with developmental disabilities without advocates � those whose parents are dead, or families estranged? There is no one to speak for them, and many can�t do it themselves.
The government has acknowledged its failures in this important are. And independent review, with input from families and advocates, and a public report are needed to chart a way out of this crisis.
Footnote: The Representative for Children and Youth only has authority to investigate problems and advocate for individuals until they turn 19. Turpel-Lafond has suggested that be raised � perhaps to 24 � in recognition that adulthood is instantly attained on the 19th birthday. That too would be a useful change.

Magnetic Field of Unlike Poles

Magnetic Field of Unlike Poles

A magnetic generator provides an inexpensive means of producing electricity for your home. Let's look at the elements involved in the production of this electricity...






Magnetic Power Provides a Low Cost, Simple Method of Producing Cheap Electricity

By Nicky Brown


Understanding how the magnetic generator functions, will give you a better understanding of how inexpensive power can be generated for your home. The first step is learning what allows this production of electricity. First and foremost, the magnetic generator must first provide power for it's own operation, before it can power other devices. The amount of electricity that can be produced by the generator, is dependent on the magnets' strength. There is no cost for operating the magnetic generator. That is, when you have gotten to the point of having the machine ready to generate power. This machine is capable of producing enough power to supply as many appliances and devices in your home, as you desire.
Here are the facts about how electricity is produced by the magnetic power generator. To understand how the magnetic power generator can produce electricity at a low cost, you must first grasp the concept of how magnetic poles behave. When there are opposite magnet poles, they will attract each other, and when there are like poles, they will push away from each other. The generator contains a number of magnetic forces. The magnetic power is generated when these magnetic forces repel each other. The amount of magnetic power produced will continue to grow, as more and more of these forces push off of each other.
There are no simpler methods for producing cheap power. As long as those forces are at work pushing against each other, there will be generation of power. This will only cease with removal of one magnet. Therefore, we can understand that this technique for generating power is constant in nature. There will be a continuous production of electricity from the magnetic power generator, as long as the magnets are present to repel and attract each other. So, as you can see, the process by which the magnetic power generator produces low cost power is not a complicated one.
The only cost associated with this method of electricity production, is the cost of the equipment and supplies necessary to construct the magnetic generator, and this is why the power that the machine generates is cheap. You can say goodbye to the ever-increasing electric bills that you have been plagued by. Unlike the windmill, the magnetic generator is not dependent on the wind blowing to make it's electricity. And unlike a solar power system, your magnetic generator will function whether or not it is a sunny day.
Utilizing magnetic fields is a clean means of power production, and there is no excess heat produced during the power production process.
Find out more about the new energy focus, the magnetic generator. Acquire wealth of information on how magnetic generators work, benefits and many other informative tips on saving electricity. Learn how to build magnetic generator today; Master the true knowledge of generating free energy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicky_Brown


http://EzineArticles.com/?Magnetic-Power-Provides-a-Low-Cost,-Simple-Method-of-Producing-Cheap-Electricity&id=4589457









Magnetic Field of Unlike Poles

Uses of Isotopes in Archeology

Uses of Isotopes in Archeology

Radioactivity can be one of the most confusing topics in science to many today. Its usefulness in a broad array of scientific arenas is undoubtedly substantial, and yet the same technology that can be used to solve problems can also be used for huge amounts of destruction and long term consequences...






Radioactivity and Radiation Safety

By Matthew Eddington


Radioactivity can be one of the most confusing topics in science to many today. Its usefulness in a broad array of scientific arenas is undoubtedly substantial, and yet the same technology that can be used to solve problems can also be used for huge amounts of destruction and long term consequences.
While most people alive today have heard of radiation and its uses and potential disastrous penalties they may not know exactly what it is, and their knowledge of the subject is limited to only what they hear from news sources or medical journals. Simply put, radioactivity refers to the unpredictable release of energy from 'unstable' atoms. Unlike stable atoms, which do not change throughout their lifetime, unstable atoms break down and emit radioactivity from their nucleus as they break down (also referred to as decay). Elements such as uranium, potassium, and thorium (isotopes) decay fairly easily to form smaller, lighter atoms, while other more stable elements may take longer.
While radiation and radioactivity seem to be terms that refer to twentieth century science topics, the phenomena was actually discovered back in 1896 by Antoine Becquerel somewhat by accident. Becquerel, who studied photography and x-rays, had put photographic plates in a drawer with uranium salts. To his surprise the photographic plates became exposed without the presence of a purposefully placed energy source, as the uranium has supplied the needed energy. In honor of his work in the field, the standard unit of measure for radiation was named the Becquerel.
Medicine and fields such as archaeology have seen huge advances in their fields due to the uses of technology derived from radiation studies. In modern medicine, radioactive isotopes are used as forms of tracers to follow how certain body processes function. Once ingested the isotopes can be followed and have been extremely useful in the diagnosis of disease and the research related to solving some of medicines biggest mysteries. Archaeology on the other hand uses radiation in a much different way. Since radiation is derived primarily from natural forms, scientists have been able to find ways to use it to help define the history and length of life on the planet earth. Living organisms take in radiation through the environment through carbon, however once deceased the organism stops its intake of carbon and the amount that is present slowly decreases over time. The amount of time it takes for the decrease to happen is predictable and scientists use this information to date events that have occurred on our planet.
Although complicated the science of radiation and radioactivity has fascinated researchers due to its unlimited potential and usefulness. However the vast variety of uses also has its consequences and must be watched carefully. Perfect proof for this can be seen in the meltdown of a Ukrainian nuclear reactor that occurred during the cold war. Disastrous effects of this accident are still in effect to this day and the surrounding population and terrain will be scarred for a long period of time. Radioactive materials do have their uses, but we must be responsible with the technology and use it appropriately to help further our knowledge.
For more information and guidance about radiation, visit http://www.apnga.com. The American Portable Nuclear Guage Association specializes in radiation topics.
---
Matthew Eddington author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. ( http://www.webdrafter.com ), which produces Website design, hosting, and search engine marketing services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Eddington


http://EzineArticles.com/?Radioactivity-and-Radiation-Safety&id=3506929









Uses of Isotopes in Archeology