Clientele validation: An important change and a gain for the FPPE!
For the first time, trade union organizations, including the FPPE, have been invited to an information session held by the MEES concerning the amendments to the 2017–2018 budgetary rules. These amendments were adopted and have thus entered into force.
One of these points will interest many of our members: the end of the systematic annual validation of the declaration of students with severe behavioural disorders.
I encourage you to take a look at the document, which we were provided during this meeting and which explains what has changed in the processthat was finally announced Saturday by Minister Proulx (Read the article in the newspaper Le Soleil).
In a nutshell:
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No changes have been made to the first two steps of the process (assessment of needs, declaration of student code status by September 30).
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Rather than performing a systematic validation, the MEES will verify by sampling the files (approx. 10%).
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Financing will be granted much earlier in the school year.
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Financing will be calculated based on the validation rejection rate from the two previous years (a systematic validation procedure is available to school boards wishing to use it).
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A revision of financing can be requested during the year.
The MEES clearly told us these changes are aimed at reducing the administrative burden for professionals and at ensuring speedier financing for school boards. We expressed our satisfaction regarding the near elimination of the validation process. Remember that, regarding this matter, the FPPE conducted a study among its members in 2013 and has repeatedly presented its recommendations in various governmental forums. Our actions had a positive impact both for the students who will benefit from more services and for the members involved who will no longer have to complete part of this tedious and unnecessary task.
Since 2017–2018 will be a year of transition, we continue to closely follow the developments in this case. We thus invite you to inform your trade union of any problem related to these changes in practice, as your input will help us move things forward.