By James Royal, Ph.D., Bankrate.com Cryptocurrencies are enormously volatile, but that volatility can create opportunities for profit if you’re looking to trade these digital assets. Cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have risen a lot since their debut — but they’ve also experienced tremendous boom-bust cycles along the way. Experienced traders have been speculating on cryptocurrencies for years, but how can you get started if you’re new to the crypto market? Here’s how to start investing in cryptocurrency and the significant risks you need to watch out for. First things first, if you’re looking to invest in crypto, you need to have all your finances in order. That means having an emergency fund in place, a manageable level of debt and ideally a diversified portfolio of investments . Your crypto investments can become one more part of your portfolio, one that helps raise your total returns, hopefully. Pay attention to these five other things as you’re starting to invest in cryptocurrencies. As you would for any investment, understand exactly what you’re investing in. If you’re buying stocks, it’s important to read the annual report and other SEC filings to analyze the companies thoroughly. Plan to do the same with any cryptocurrencies , since there are literally thousands of them, they all function differently and new ones are being created every day. You need to understand the investment case for each trade. In the case of many cryptocurrencies , they’re backed by nothing at all, neither hard assets nor cash flow of an underlying entity. That’s the case for Bitcoin , for example, where investors rely exclusively on someone paying more for the asset than they paid for it. In other words, unlike stock, where a company can grow its profits and drive returns for you that way, many crypto assets must rely on the market becoming more optimistic and bullish for you to profit. Some of the most popular coins include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana , Dogecoin and Tether (a stablecoin) . So before investing, understand the potential upside and downside. If your financial investment is not backed by an asset or cash flow, it could end up being worth nothing. A mistake that many new investors make is looking at the past and extrapolating that to the future. Yes, Bitcoin used to be worth pennies, but now is worth much more . The key question, however, is “Will that growth continue into the future, even if it’s not at quite that meteoric rate?” Investors look to the future, not to what an asset has done in the past. What will drive future returns? Traders buying a cryptocurrency today need tomorrow’s gains, not yesterday’s. The prices of cryptocurrencies are about as volatile as an asset can get. They could drop quickly in seconds on nothing more than a rumor that ends up proving baseless. That can be great for sophisticated investors who can execute trades rapidly or who have a solid grasp on the market’s fundamentals, how the market is trending and where it could go. For new investors without these skills — or the high-powered algorithms that direct these trades — it’s a minefield. Volatility is a game for high-powered Wall Street traders, each of whom is trying to outgun other deep-pocketed investors. A new investor can easily get crushed by the volatility. That’s because volatility shakes out traders, especially beginners, who get scared. Meanwhile, other traders may step in and buy on the cheap. In short, volatility can help sophisticated traders “buy low and sell high” while inexperienced investors “buy high and sell low.” If you’re trading any asset on a short-term basis, you need to manage your risk , and that can be especially true with volatile assets such as cryptocurrency. So as a newer trader, you’ll need to understand how best to manage risk and develop a process that helps you mitigate losses. And that process can vary from individual to individual: Newer traders should consider setting aside a certain amount of trading money and then using only a portion of it, at least at first. If a position moves against them, they’ll still have money in reserve to trade with later. The ultimate point is that you can’t trade if you don’t have any money. So keeping some cash in reserve means you’ll always have a bankroll to fund your trading. It’s important to manage risk, but that will come at an emotional cost. Selling a losing position hurts, but doing so can help you avoid worse losses later. Finally, it’s important to avoid putting money that you need into speculative assets. If you can’t afford to lose it — all of it — you can’t afford to put it into risky assets such as cryptocurrency, or other speculative assets, for that matter. Whether it’s a down payment for a house or an important upcoming purchase, money that you need in the next few years should be kept in safe accounts so that it’s there when you need it. And if you’re looking for an absolutely sure return, your best option is to pay off high-interest debt. You’re guaranteed to earn (or save) whatever interest rate you’re paying on the debt. You can’t lose there. Finally, don’t overlook the security of any exchange or broker you’re using. You may own the assets legally, but someone still has to secure them, and their security needs to be tight. If they don’t think their cryptocurrency is properly secured, some traders choose to invest in a crypto wallet to hold their coins offline so they’re inaccessible to hackers or others. Remember that investing in cryptocurrency can be part of a broader investment strategy, but shouldn’t be your only one. While investing directly in cryptocurrency is popular, traders have other ways to get into the crypto game, some more directly than others. These include: Each of these methods varies in its riskiness and exposure to cryptocurrency, so you’ll want to understand exactly what you’re buying and whether it fits your needs. In theory it takes only a few dollars to invest in cryptocurrency. Most crypto exchanges, for example, have a minimum trade that might be $5 or $10. Other crypto trading apps might have a minimum that’s even lower. However, it’s important to understand that some trading platforms will take a huge chunk of your investment as a fee if you’re trading small amounts of cryptocurrency. So it’s important to look for a broker or exchange that minimizes your fees. In fact, many so-called “free” brokers embed fees — called spread mark-ups — in the price you pay for your cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is based on blockchain technology . Blockchain is a kind of database that records and timestamps every entry into it. The best way to think of a blockchain is like a running receipt of transactions. When a blockchain database powers cryptocurrency, it records and verifies transactions in the currency, verifying the currency’s movements and who owns it. Many crypto blockchain databases are run with decentralized computer networks. That is, many redundant computers operate the database, checking and rechecking the transactions to ensure that they’re accurate. If there’s a discrepancy, the networked computers have to resolve it. Some cryptocurrencies reward those who verify the transactions on the blockchain database in a process called mining. For example, miners involved with Bitcoin solve very complex mathematical problems as part of the verification process. If they’re successful, miners receive a predetermined award of Bitcoins. To mine Bitcoins , miners need powerful processing units that consume huge amounts of energy. Many miners operate gigantic rooms full of such mining rigs in order to extract these rewards. As of October 2024, running the Bitcoin system burned as much energy per year as the country of Poland. If you’re looking to invest in Bitcoin, you have a variety of ways to do so, and you can work with a number of companies, including: If you’re looking to buy Bitcoin, pay particular attention to the fees that you’re paying. Here are other key things to watch out for as you’re buying Bitcoin . An altcoin is an alternative to Bitcoin. Many years ago, traders would use the term pejoratively. Since Bitcoin was the largest and most popular cryptocurrency, everything else was defined in relation to it. So, whatever was not Bitcoin was lumped into a catch-all category called altcoins . While Bitcoin is still the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization by far, it’s no longer the only game in town. Other altcoins such as Ethereum and Solana have grown in popularity, making the term altcoin somewhat outmoded. Now with a reported 15,000 or more cryptocurrencies in existence, it makes less sense than ever to define the industry as “Bitcoin and then everything else.” Cryptocurrency is a highly speculative area of the market, and many smart investors have decided to put their money elsewhere. For beginners who want to get started trading crypto, however, the best advice is to start small and only use money that you can afford to lose. Bankrate’s Brian Baker contributed to an update of this story. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Here’s who Bob Ferguson wants to lead WA’s departments of corrections and ecologyEastern Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News. Top-division football awaits for the first time in almost two decades. Mitcham has been busily bolstering its list ahead of its top-flight return following back-to-back premierships in Division 1 , with four-time flag coach Neil Winterton confident the club’s latest additions can address key areas of need. Dual Bentleigh best and fairest winners Liam Hewish and Michael Rogers have crossed from the Southern league, with a connection to Tigers’ ruckman Danny Baglava helping land the duo. Hewish brings more than 150 games’ experience, while Rogers, a former Sandringham Dragon, was named captain of Bentleigh at just 20 years of age in 2019. “Both (Michael) and Liam are looking for a fresh start,” Winterton said. “We’re really excited about what they’re going to add – Michael will play probably across half-back, but has the ability to play through the midfield or on the wing. “Liam’s more a key defender, he’s also had a bit of trouble with his body as well so we’re hoping with a bit of a fresh start he can get that back where he’d like it. “He’s a big body so we think he might be able to add something because we do need to add to our key position stocks, particularly down back.” Rogers kicks clear for Bentleigh. Picture: Steve Tanner Meanwhile, brothers Emi and Ezi Aleixo have crossed from Division 2 club Croydon. Emi returns to the league’s Premier Division after a stint at Vermont where he played 16 senior games in 2022. He was also at Frankston VFL in 2023 before a knee injury put paid to his time in the state league. Ezi featured in two senior finals for Croydon in 2024. “Emi is an in-and-under mid with good speed ... Ezi is a small, pressure forward, which we’re always looking to add those sorts of players in. We think both of those can add to our team,” Winterton said. “They’ve both played juniors at Mitcham as well.” Medium-sized forward Jack Kritopoulos has also signed from Premier Division rival, Blackburn. The former Eastern Ranges talent played most of his footy in the reserves this season with a smattering of senior appearances, kicking 21 goals from 16 showings in the twos and 10 majors from four top-flight matches – including six goals against Norwood. “He was looking for a little bit more opportunity, which we feel we can give him in our forward line,” Winterton said. “I’ve watched some of his vision ... he looks like he’s got good speed, nice hands and can finish off.” Winterton said most of the list had re-signed – but 2023 premiership defender Daniel Houeix has departed for Division 1 outfit Boronia. The Tigers last contested the Eastern league’s premier grade – then known as Division 1 – in 2006, and the coach was confident the group was primed for the challenge. EFNL 2024: Mitcham's Jesse Uren. Picture: Leesa Clarkson “They’re in that right age bracket now – I think our average age is going to be 23 or 24, so they’re right in that wheelhouse of playing their best footy,” Winterton said. “The last two seasons we’ve been the hunted team, and now we’re hunting the Balwyns, East Ringwoods, Doncaster Easts and those sorts of teams. “We’ve been in Division 1 for four or five years now, and you get used to playing the same teams year after year ... a lot of them (our players) have probably never played Vermont or Balwyn or Noble Park. “It’s a really exciting challenge for us.” Mitcham opens its season at home to Vermont on April 13. Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Eastern ‘Building the foundations’: Youth to spearhead Lions’ new era Eastern Division 3 club Fairpark has hit the pre-season with a swag of key signings as it embarks on a new era under incoming coach Josh Allison. Read more Eastern Revealed: The biggest and best Eastern league recruits There’s been no shortage of top-drawer recruits putting pen to paper at Eastern league clubs this off-season, from ex-AFL stars to state league talents and more. We’ve named the best. Read more
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SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been a target for investigations since his early days in office, and the swarm of cases since his failed reelection bid in 2022 has left him in ever-deeper legal jeopardy. In the latest indictment Thursday, he was accused of attempting a coup to keep himself in the presidency. In another case, the electoral court ruled the far-right leader ineligible to run for office until 2030. There are dozens of other probes that could produce criminal charges at low-level courts, where he could appeal any eventual conviction. But the country’s Supreme Court will have the final say regarding more than five in-depth investigations, including into the alleged coup attempt, which could land the former president behind bars or under house arrest. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, and his allies have alleged they are political persecution, while recognizing the severity of the legal risks on multiple fronts. Here’s a look at the biggest threats and where they stand: Coup Attempt FILE - Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro, right, arrives at an event hosted by conservative group Turning Point USA, at Trump National Doral Miami, Feb. 3, 2023, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) FILE - Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro, right, arrives at an event hosted by conservative group Turning Point USA, at Trump National Doral Miami, Feb. 3, 2023, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More FILE - A health worker applies a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a community health center in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) FILE - A health worker applies a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a community health center in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More FILE - This photo provided by Brazil’s Federal Revenue Department shows jewelry, part of an investigation into gifts received by ex-President Jair Bolsonaro during his term, seized by customs authorities at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the week of March 24, 2023. (Brazil’s Federal Revenue Department via AP, File) FILE - This photo provided by Brazil’s Federal Revenue Department shows jewelry, part of an investigation into gifts received by ex-President Jair Bolsonaro during his term, seized by customs authorities at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the week of March 24, 2023. (Brazil’s Federal Revenue Department via AP, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More FILE - A demonstrator holds a banner showing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro adjusting his mask in Brasilia, Brazil, Aug. 7, 2020, as the Central Workers Unions (CUT) protest his handling of the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) FILE - A demonstrator holds a banner showing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro adjusting his mask in Brasilia, Brazil, Aug. 7, 2020, as the Central Workers Unions (CUT) protest his handling of the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More FILE - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro votes in the run-off presidential election as he runs for another term in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, Pool, File) FILE - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro votes in the run-off presidential election as he runs for another term in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, Pool, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More FILE - Police stand on the other side of a window at Planalto Palace that was shattered by supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro after they stormed the official workplace of the president in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) FILE - Police stand on the other side of a window at Planalto Palace that was shattered by supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro after they stormed the official workplace of the president in Brasilia, Brazil, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Federal police on Thursday indicted Bolsonaro and 36 others for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. The indictment is sealed, but among other things authorities had been investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the capital of Brasilia. STATUS: Police sent their findings to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Electoral Misdeeds Brazil’s highest electoral court in June ruled that Bolsonaro used government communication channels in a meeting with diplomats to promote his reelection bid and sow distrust about the vote. The case focused on a meeting the prior year, during which Bolsonaro used government staffers, the state television channel and the presidential palace in Brasilia to tell foreign ambassadors that the country’s electronic voting system was rigged. The ruling rendered him ineligible for office until 2030, although he has insisted that he will run in the 2026 race. The court also found that Bolsonaro abused his power during Brazil’s Independence Day festivities, a month before the election. The ruling didn’t add years to Bolsonaro’s ineligibility, but made any appeal less likely to succeed. A third case is also pending at the court. STATUS: Bolsonaro’s appeal of the initial ruling was denied. Vaccination Fraud Bolsonaro has been indicted for directing an official to tamper with a public health database to make it appear as though he and his 12-year-old daughter had received the COVID-19 vaccine in order to bypass U.S. entry requirements. During the pandemic, he railed against the vaccine , characterized the choice to receive a shot as a matter of personal freedom and has repeatedly said he never did so. The Federal Police accused Bolsonaro of criminal association and inserting false data into public records, which carry maximum penalties of 4 and 12 years in prison, respectively. It was his first indictment since leaving office. STATUS: Brazil’s Supreme Court sent the indictment to the prosecutor-general, who is weighing whether to use it to press charges. Local media reported that he was seeking to consult American authorities about whether Bolsonaro used the forged document to enter the country, and that having done so could result in U.S. legal action. Saudi Jewels Federal Police have probed whether Bolsonaro directed officials to smuggle luxury jewelry worth millions into Brazil from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, then acted to prevent them from being incorporated into the presidential collection and instead retain ownership for himself. Investigators summoned Bolsonaro for questioning in April and August of 2023. He has returned the jewelry in question. STATUS: The Federal Police indicted Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association, according to a source with knowledge of the accusations. A second source confirmed the indictment, although not for which specific crimes. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Pandemic Sabotage Brazil’s Federal Police is investigating Bolsonaro for inciting crimes against public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, which include encouraging people not to wear masks and causing alarm about non-existent danger of vaccines accelerating development of AIDS . A Senate inquiry commission also spent months investigating his pandemic-era actions and decisions, and recommended nine criminal charges. Brazil’s former prosecutor-general Augusto Aras, widely seen as a Bolsonaro ally, decided not to file any charges based on the lawmakers’ findings. They have urged his Aras’ successor to reopen the case. STATUS: The investigation is ongoing. Fake News, Digital Militia Brazil’s Supreme Court in 2020 ordered an investigation into a network allegedly spreading defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices . The probe has yielded the imprisonment of lawmakers from the former president’s circle and raids of his supporters’ homes. In 2021, Bolsonaro was included as a target. As an offshoot of that probe, the Federal Police is also investigating whether a group operating inside Bolsonaro’s presidential palace produced social media content aimed at undermining the rule of law. The group, allegedly comprised of aides and Bolsonaro’s politician son, has been widely referred to as a digital militia and “the hate cabinet.” STATUS: Both investigations are ongoing. ___ Biller reported from Rio de JaneiroOn pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government is making all efforts to ensure Odisha is counted among the strongest, prosperous and fastest-growing states of the country by 2036, when the eastern state will be celebrating its 100th foundation day. While addressing a gathering at the Odisha Parba event in Delhi, PM Modi on Sunday said that Odisha, which was once considered as a backward state, has huge potential in sectors like tourism, port-based industries, seafood export, steel, energy etc. "There is immense potential for port-based industrial development in Odisha. Therefore, trade will be promoted here by developing Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga, Pallur, and Subarnarekha ports. Odisha is also the mining and metal powerhouse of India. This strengthens Odisha's position in the steel, aluminum and energy sectors. By focusing on these sectors, Odisha can explore new paths to prosperity," said PM Modi. ओडिशा की सांस्कृतिक समृद्धि, वास्तु और विज्ञान हमेशा विशेष रहे हैं। हमें यहां की हर पहचान को दुनियाभर में ले जाने के लिए निरंतर इनोवेटिव कदम उठाने हैं। pic.twitter.com/tEjjcWgeqn "Odisha records huge production of cashew, jute, cotton, turmeric and oilseeds, and it is our endeavour to ensure these products reach big markets and our farmers benefit from this. There is huge scope for expansion of trade in the seafood processing industry in Odisha. We are making efforts so that Odisha seafood becomes a brand and there is a huge demand for it in the international market. Odisha should become one of the preferred destinations for investors. Our government is committed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Odisha," he further added. He also said that the BJP government in Odisha has given approval to investment proposals to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore during the first 100 days after coming to power. PM Modi noted that Odisha's huge potential can be used in the right direction to take it to new heights of development. Emphasising the strategic location of Odisha, PM Modi asserted: "I believe, Odisha can get a significant benefit from its strategic location. It is easy to access the domestic and international market from here. Odisha is an important hub for trade with East Asia and South-East Asia. The importance of Odisha in the global value chain will increase in the coming days. Our government is also working on the target to raise exports from Odisha." He said that Odisha has immense potential for urbanisation and the Central government is taking various concrete steps on this. He said the Union government is committed to the construction of dynamic and well-connected cities in large numbers. "We are endeavouring to develop tier-II cities of Odisha; especially new opportunities will be created in western Odisha districts with the development of new infrastructure," PM Modi said. He also mentioned the just-concluded famous Bali Yatra at Cuttack, calling it a symbol of India and Odisha's maritime prowess. Lauding the courage of the sailors of the past, the Prime Minister said that they were brave enough to sail and cross the seas despite the absence of modern technology like today. He added that the traders used to travel by ship to places like Bali, Sumatra, Java in Indonesia, which helped promote trade and enhance the reach of culture to various places. PM Modi also emphasised that today, Odisha's maritime power had an important role in the achievement of a developed India's resolve. He also remembered the contributions of saints and scholars from Odisha to the enrichment of culture in India. The Prime Minister remarked that the saints and scholars have played a great role in nourishing the cultural richness by ensuring great literature like Saral Mahabharat, Odia Bhagawat have reached the common people at their doorsteps. He added that there is extensive literature related to Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Odia language. He also said that the nation is remembering the contributions of Utkal Kesari Hare Krishna Mehtab whose 125th birth anniversary the government is celebrating on a large scale. PM Modi said that the culture of Odisha has greatly strengthened the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', in which the sons and daughters of the state have made huge contributions. "We can see many examples of the contribution of Odia literature to the cultural prosperity of India," PM Modi said. नई दिल्ली में ओडिशा पर्व पर आज यहां की समृद्ध विरासत और अद्भुत संस्कृति का साक्षी बनने का सौभाग्य मिला। pic.twitter.com/dlKuVhblco Meanwhile, PM Modi also took to X and wrote: "Today, I had the privilege of being a witness to the rich heritage and wonderful culture of Odisha at the Odisha Festival in New Delhi." The Prime Minister also shared a few photographs of the event. Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, President of Odia Samaj, Siddharth Pradhan were also present at the occasion, among others.None
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When it comes to provincial support for Manitoba children with special needs, there was a moment this summer when Susana Lam thought things were finally improving. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * When it comes to provincial support for Manitoba children with special needs, there was a moment this summer when Susana Lam thought things were finally improving. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? When it comes to provincial support for Manitoba children with special needs, there was a moment this summer when Susana Lam thought things were finally improving. Lam, the director at Seven Oaks Child Day Care Centre in Winnipeg — one of the most inclusive child-care centres in Manitoba — spoke to the earlier this year as part of its investigation into the state of child care in the province. She’d been facing hurdles for years with the province’s Inclusion Support Program (ISP). “It’s just been a lot of fighting, and I mean fighting as in literally arguing... on the phone. Arguing and arguing; there are loud voices, tears, everything, because I don’t think it’s fair that these families and children have to fight so hard to get a spot,” Lam told the at the time. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Shortly after the was published in June — and included a story documenting the ISP’s failures — Lam said things started to look up. In fact, it wasn’t long after she went public that she received funding almost immediately after applying on behalf of a child who didn’t even have an official medical diagnosis — something that hadn’t happened in years. What’s more, Lam was hearing other directors were also securing ISP funding, meaning more kids and families were being supported. It’s exactly what she’d hoped for. “I thought after the series came out that they were turning a page here,” Lam said in a recent followup interview with the . “Then comes this fall — I’m enrolling a child with some pretty high medical needs — and it’s back to square one again. “It’s back to me having to say, ‘I’m not doing this,’ and that means I’m not enrolling a child, and for the province to be prepared for the consequences, because I don’t know what families are going to do now. “They went from approving funding right away shortly after the series to — poof! — right back to the beginning.” The province’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) website says the Inclusion Support Program is meant to “reduce or eliminate barriers to allow a child with additional support needs to fully participate in an early learning and child-care program.” It adds: “all children should have equal opportunity to access licensed child care in their community.” The ISP is fully funded by the province and administered through ELCC, which determines how many hours will be funded for the required extra child-care staff, depending on a child’s specific needs. Many child-care directors told the it’s a program worth celebrating, so long as it’s properly executed and available to all children. But that’s not the case. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES The Inclusion Support Program is fully funded by the province and administered through Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) programming. ELCC determines how many hours will be funded for required extra staff, depending on a child’s specific needs. ELCC’s 2023-24 annual report found that only 51 per cent of licensed child-care centres and six per cent of licensed home-care facilities are taking part in the ISP. The number has hovered around 50 per cent in recent years — a notable drop from 2016-17, when 64 per cent of child-care centres were taking part in the program. The province mandates all licensed child-care centres have an inclusion policy, including home-based ones, but there’s no enforcement to ensure they’re accepting children who need additional supports. The number of ISP-supported children has dropped by more than 300 since 2016-17, despite thousands more spaces being created. The ISP supported 1,604 children in 2016-17, but only 1,262 in 2023-24. Meanwhile, the number of child-care spaces in the province has jumped significantly — to 39,050 in 2023-24 versus 31,210 in 2016-17. Today, only three per cent of those spots are dedicated to children in the ISP, down from five per cent in 2016-17, though there were 20 more ISP spaces this year than last. “The provincial annual reports are a clear indicator of progress or regression in government funding, programs and policies. That’s trending the wrong way if we’re trying to grow the system,” said Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA). “The question to ask is, why are not 100 per cent of all regulated facilities participating in the program? What are the barriers? “This needs to be investigated by the province, so that all children, in all parts of Manitoba, have access to high-quality early learning and child care.” The MCCA has nearly 4,000 members and offers support to about half of the child-care centres in the province. It surveyed its members in October to get a better idea of the current state of the ISP. They asked a variety of questions about personal experiences with the program, what is working and what needs improvement. Nearly 200 child-care centres responded, with 28 per cent of those saying they’ve denied families care due to a lack of ISP funding. Among the respondents who’ve had to turn away families, a third said there was at least one child in the last two years, with 14 per cent — eight respondents — saying they’ve denied more than five children over the same time frame. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Nearly a third of 200 child-care centres responding to a Manitoba Child Care Association survey in October said they had denied families care due to a lack of ISP funding. Meanwhile, 63 per cent said they require inclusion support but don’t have access to the program. On the plus side, a majority of respondents agreed the ISP is a vital service — even a human right — despite it being plagued by serious problems. They also applauded the creation of ISP co-ordinators, which has improved communication between child-care facilities and the government. The province has 13 diversity and inclusion co-ordinators, two supervisors and one manager. Most child-care directors, though, expressed deep frustrations about trying to obtain and sustain funding, as well as find qualified staff. Lam said her centre used to have about 12 kids supported by ISP, but that number has been halved in recent years due to the hurdles now in place. When asked whether her centre would consider ceasing its participation in the ISP, Lam said, “We’re not there yet, but it is on the table. I talk about it with my board all the time ... It’s so difficult to make it all work.” According to the ISP, children hoping to receive additional care fall into two categories: a child with a diagnosed life-long or permanent disability and/or who is eligible for Children’s DisABILITY Services; or a child who exhibits behavioural or emotional difficulties characterized by impaired adaptive functioning, which disrupts the child’s ability to adequately participate in activities, with these behaviours continuing over a period of time. In simpler terms, one path is for children who have already been diagnosed, the other is for a child with behavioural concerns who has not yet been diagnosed. Tracy Cosser is the executive director of Can You Imagine Inc. — which has five locations in the city — with more than 30 years’ experience in child care. She said it’s almost a forgone conclusion that children who don’t have a medical diagnosis will be denied care, sometimes forcing directors to get creative with the application process. Because funding is tied to a child and not a space, that can sometimes mean leveraging a child who has a medical diagnosis but might not need additional support to help secure funding for another child who is displaying issues but hasn’t yet been diagnosed. Cosser knows the number of kids requiring help is increasing because she sees it every day and hears it from colleagues across the city. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Several child-care directors told the Free Press that the number of children exhibiting extreme behavioural issues has climbed steadily over the years, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several child-care directors told the that the number of children exhibiting extreme behavioural issues has climbed steadily over the years, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The same can be said for children with undiagnosed medical issues, who can face long wait times to get an official diagnosis, such as autism. But directors are mostly hesitant to try and work the system, even to benefit vulnerable children and desperate families, for fear it could ruin their chances for future funding. Cosser wants to work with the government, but says it should be just as motivated to support these children as her centres are to bring them into their programs. “That’s the frustrating part of it all is someone like me, who has been here for 23 years, have I not proven myself to you?” Cosser asks rhetorically, while wiping away tears. “It just frustrates me to no end when we work our asses off every day for these kids and these families, and the government puts roadblock after roadblock in our way. “How much more are we supposed to do?” To get the best chance of securing ISP funding, a child with behavioural issues must be in the program for weeks, if not months, without any additional staffing help. That puts more stress on existing child-care staff, many of whom already feel underpaid and underappreciated. Even when funding is approved, it’s often for hours less than requested, forcing centres to submit more paperwork to prove that more support is needed. “The government is the one that mandated that we have inclusion policies. They made us write these policies. They made us put them in place. They said to us, you have to include children with additional support needs, and then we do it and they try to stop us from doing it properly,” Cosser said. “That’s the problem. Sure, I can let all of them through my door, but like, I just finished writing (documentation) for this one little girl; she gets care from us when she’s having a meltdown, but she’s a child who doesn’t even know how to engage and play with other children, but we don’t have time to support her to learn that, because at that moment, we might be dealing with this child over here who’s chucking a chair across the room, or this child over here that’s doing whatever, and that’s not serving this child well. We’re not doing her justice.” Even when a child has a medical diagnosis, a significant amount of supporting documentation is required on an ongoing basis — everything from clinical and health-care reports to safety issues to estimating the anticipated length of a child’s naptime. Naptime, directors said, is often used by the government to justify reducing support by one or two hours. The situation is so dire that some centres are demanding that parents provide a letter saying there is nothing wrong with their child, or they will only start a child on a three-week trial basis, several directors told the . “Half of the families with kids I have enrolled in the ISP, once they get in, they just thank you so much,” Lam said. “They tell you about how they’ve been turned down by three or four centres already because no one was even willing to try. I just feel for these parents. “How can anyone not feel for these families? And there’s many, many more out there.” Even after funding is secured, there’s a financial burden. ELCC only provides funding to cover the lowest rung of the wage grid — $17.64 an hour — which is what’s paid to a child-care assistant (CCA), the profession’s introductory position. CCAs are only required to take a 40-hour course, and don’t have to have previous experience working with children with special needs. In order to attract qualified staff, the actual wage is routinely higher, meaning centres that prioritize inclusive programming must find additional money on their own. Even centres that pay their ISP educators a modest $20 an hour have to grapple with deficits in their annual budgets. According to the MCCA survey, centres spend between a few thousand dollars and upwards of $100,000 a year in added costs. Some fundraise to make up the difference, while others make cuts elsewhere. “I’m assuming the issue is because there’s just not enough money being put aside for ISP funding, and more and more children every year are being diagnosed, and I feel like that funding amount has remained the same every single year,” Lam said. “That’s my impression from the grapevine as I’m talking to people. It is great that they’re using a lot of the funds to open new sites, even though there’s a lack of educators out there, but I feel like a lot of that money needs to go to fix things (that are) happening in our system right now.” Lam added: “I guess my question out there is, why don’t they think of that?” JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES The province has created a specialized ISP team — which includes professionals with backgrounds in disability, child development, child care and clinical social work — plus a new delivery and funding model to streamline the application process, a spokesperson said. When contacted by the in June, a provincial spokesperson said the ISP budget had increased by 52 per cent to $20.6 million since the 2021 signing of the Canada-Manitoba, Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which included federal government funding of $1.2 billion. No detailed breakdown of the increased budget was provided. Additionally, the province created a specialized ISP team — which included professionals with backgrounds in disability, child development, child care and clinical social work — plus a new delivery and funding model to streamline the application process, the spokesperson said. In a July interview, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare acknowledged his department was falling short in terms of the ISP’s funding model. “I’ve said that to my cabinet colleagues — we have to get better at this because we have to provide the support that families need when it comes to inclusion support services for kids,” Altomare said. “We’re not oblivious to this. I’m not satisfied with where we’re at. We need to get better at providing the services that are needed. It’s something, really, I’m quite passionate about and want to see get done.” Altomare said he prefers block funding over the current case-by-case application process. “So that you’re not retraumatizing parents,” he said. “So that you’re not continually justifying why your kids need support.” But little has changed in the months since that interview, according to child-care directors and the MCCA. The asked several questions, including what changes, if any, have been made to the ISP that aren’t reflected in the 2023-24 annual report, and how much of the ISP is supported by provincial versus federal dollars. The department was also asked about a return to blocked funding; whether the 20 additional spaces this year were part of a targeted goal; and if greater capacity will be reflected in the next annual report. The provincial response mirrored the one provided to the earlier in the year. “Manitoba has created a dedicated Diversity and Inclusion team and has launched a new case management model in fall 2023 to better meet the needs of families, children and child-care facilities across the province,” an unnamed provincial spokesperson wrote. “This team includes 13 diversity and inclusion co-ordinators, two supervisors and one director. ISP co-ordinators have strengthened application efficiency, while offering support and guidance to ensure children and childcare centres have the supports that they need.” jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. . Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.Trump's sudden fixation on Panama may be tied to his shady business