Paul Pike backs current care system for kids with complex needs as 'best model' for N.L.
Minister acknowledges costs are high but praises ‘very high level’ of care
The minister in charge of providing care for kids is defending the current system used by the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
"This is the best model for us at this point in time," Children, Seniors and Social Development Minister Paul Pike said Tuesday.
Paul Pike was responding to questions about a CBC Investigates story from earlier this week.
Data obtained via access-to-information requests revealed a dramatic increase in billings by private companies and organizations that provide services to children and youth with complex needs.
Last year, the province paid less than a dozen private groups $90 million — a jump of more than $30 million compared with 2018-19.
There were 225 kids in the highest tier of care — Level 4 — at the end of the last fiscal year.
That works out to an average payment of just under $400,000 per child for that 12-month period.
"It's a high cost, but the high costs are … not only in Newfoundland and Labrador, it's in every province," Pike said.
He says the specialized nature of that work — educational requirements and experience — helps to push those expenses higher.
In a previous statement, officials in his department said Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rate of children and youth with complex needs in the country, resulting in growth in the number of staffed residential placements.
Pike's predecessors in the portfolio have stressed that work was underway to address the spiraling costs.
Asked what plans are currently in place, Pike said there are "a lot of children and youth in our care with very complex needs" and a number of staff required to take care of them.
"What we're doing is providing care that's very high level," the minister said.
Children and youth a priority, minister says
A longtime advocate and a Crown lawyer with experience in the youth court system has raised questions about whether the current system is best meeting the needs of these children and youth.
Pike says his department is constantly reviewing programs and looking for ways to improve.
That includes surveying how systems work in other jurisdictions.
"We are meeting the needs of our most vulnerable," the minister said. "We are meeting the needs of children at risk."
Pike had previously not been made available for an interview on the topic.
CBC News spoke to the minister at an unrelated public event on his schedule.
Asked whether the province or his department has done any type of analysis or assessment that proves the current system is the best option, Pike reiterated that they are constantly reviewing programs.
"Our government's priority is the health and safety of children and youth in care," Pike said.
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With files from Ariana Kelland
