PREMIER MUST RETAIN THE A-TEAM WHILE TRANSITION OCCURS

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today called on Premier and Education Minister David Bartlett to retain Launceston’s A-Team, which provides specialised support services for children living with Aspergers (Autism Spectrum Disorder), until at least July 2010 to allow a smooth transition for the children involved into Aspergers programs being run in regular schools.

Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, said representatives of Autism Tasmania and parents of children involved with the A-Team believe they have reached an agreement over the future for their children, but this agreement will require a short-term retention of the A-Team while the transition takes place.

Mr Booth also said that the Premier needs to initiate an independent evaluation of the A-Team at Newstead to provide a template for any extension of the program into regular schools across the state.

“The Premier must commit to extending the A-Team program until at least July 2010 to allow the children a smooth transition into Aspergers programs being run in regular schools,” said Mr Booth.

“An independent evaluation of the A-team will identify the strengths of this program and provide vital information for any extended program.”

“The Greens are calling on Premier Bartlett to reverse his decision to close down the A-Team at the end of this year, and to instead evaluate and extend the program to allow for a smooth transition into new arrangements for the children in the new school year,” said Mr Booth.

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Attached: Notice of Motion tabled by Greens MP Kim Booth this morning, 18 November 2009.

That the House notes:

1. The extraordinary success of the A team program in delivering educational and social opportunities with life long benefits to children living with Aspergers syndrome and their families;

2. The great benefit that flows to the entire community as a direct result of appropriately funded programmes such as the A team;

3. That although the Premier has previously ruled out the continuation of the A team at Newstead constructive negotiations are now taking place with Northern Learning Services North as agreed to with the premier at the Community forum at Georgetown on Sunday 25th October; and

Calls on the Premier to

4. make a commitment that the A team programme continues at the Newstead site including staff, buildings, services, facilities and funding for at least the first six months of 2010 but as long as is required to allow the children to transition to any new settings that may be required;

5. That a commitment is made based on the independent evaluation of the present A team at the Newstead site to continue the A team as a transition into Aspergers programs run in regular schools;

6. That a commitment is made to independently evaluate all aspects of the present A team at the Newstead site and the transition of the children to the extended programme; and

7. That Premier Bartlett make that commitment today as the uncertainty is causing distress to both parents and children.
Kim Booth MP Greens Member for Bass