Child and Family Services Czar Takes the Fall

Alberta Child and Family Services CEO tendered his resignation yesterday amid controversy of a leak stating that there would be funding cuts to foster parents when Minister Yvonne Fritz said there would be none.

A high-ranking official with the Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services Authority has resigned.

It comes just two days after Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz was forced to apologize to foster parents, who were told at a meeting with CFS staff that their funding would be cut.

Fritz has said department staff were told just two weeks earlier there would be no cuts.

Fritz on Wednesday said Rick Semel, CEO of the Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services Authority has resigned.

"The CEO for Region 6 did tender his resignation today — and that was accepted," she said.

Fritz downplayed any concern the position will be tough to fill, considering recent controversies in the department.

"The normal process will be followed by the human resources department in posting that there's a new position available in the region for a CEO and that will take place in due course."

On Monday, the New Democrats released copies of a slideshow presentation that was shown to some Edmonton-area foster parents during a meeting late last week.

The meeting was hosted by the Edmonton Child and Family Services Authority.

The slides outlined a formula that would have capped funding for special needs children at $100 per day.

Funding would gradually be scaled back until it met the cap, according to the presentation material.

The cap was to be implemented April 1 — before it was reversed by the minister.

Fritz has stressed there will be no cuts. She said the budget has, in fact, been increased this year by $910,000.

Premier Ed Stelmach has been critical of the NDP for going public with the information, saying instead the discrepancy should have immediately been brought to the attention of the department. Edmonton Sun

Typical of the Ed Stelmach government. I think they have mastered Bungling 101. They go around like they don't quite know what they're doing half the time. It seems like they're making it up as they go. No wonder Albertans are disenchanted with this government.

Oh and even though I think the NDs are loons most of the time, don't blame them this time!

Mr. Semel takes the fall for the Minister. Nice. No direct accountability from her. Well, sorry, Minister Fritz, it is you who should resign not Mr. Semel. Children and Family Services is your department therefore you are responsible for whatever goes on there. The buck stops with you!

Another thing, Minister, did Mr. Semel resign on his own or was he forced to resign? Let us know, will ya?