British Columbia
Relevant Legislation
Legislation refers to those Acts or bodies or a body of law that codifies how a law operates and is used. Below we have listed a number of acts in British Columbia that address children and youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families.
Government of British Columbia Web Site
Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act
Recognition and Reconciliation Protocol on First Nations Children, Youth and Families
Relevant Policies
Policy is how legislation or a law is put into action. Social policies address issues of the health, safety, and wellbeing of the members of a particular society such as health care and education. Below we have listed a number of policies in British Columbia that address children and youth with a neurodevelopmental disorder and their families.
Indigenous Child at the Centre Action Plan
Children and Youth with Special Needs: A Framework for Action
- Ministry of Children and Family Development, 2008
Strong, Safe, Supported: A Commitment to BC's Children and Youth
- Ministry of Children and Family Development, 2008
Cross-Ministry Transition Planning Protocol for Youth with Special Needs
- Ministry of Children and Family Development, November 2009
Your Future Now: A Transition Planning and Resource Guide for Youth with Special Needs and Their Families
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
Transition Planning for Youth with Special Needs: A Community Support Guide
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
At Home Program Guide
- Ministry of Children and Family Development, December 2010
- In 2009, services for children and youth with special needs were transferred from Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) to the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The operational policies and procedures that were transferred from the CLBC to the MCFD are found here.
Ministry of Children and Family Development, December 2009. Children and Youth with Special Needs Policy:
Determining Priority for Children’s Services
Determining Parental Contributions
Eligibility for Services following a Third Party Settlement or Award
Service Provision by Family Members Policy
At Home Program Respite Benefits
Child and Youth Care Worker Policy
Parent Support Services Policy
Case Management Services
The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) provides a range of services for children and youth with special needs.
The MCFD works in collaboration with regional and community agencies and the Ministries of Health and Education to provide a continuum of services in the following areas:
- Autism Funding Programs
- Early Childhood Intervention
- Family Support
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Assessment and diagnosis | Key Worker and Parent Support Services
- Hearing and Vision Loss Services
- Rehabilitation Therapies: For acquired brain injury | Early intervention therapy program | School-aged therapy program
- Severe Disabilities or Complex Health Needs: At Home Program | Nursing Support Services | Provincial Outreach and Professional Supports
- Service Providers/Professional Associations
- Transition Planning
More information available on The Ministry of Children and Family Development Website: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/spec_needs/index.htm
Supported Child Development Program
- Offers opportunities for participation in inclusive child care
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Does not charge for services
Residential Services for Children in Care
- Outlines guardianship and residential services for children with special needs:
- Regular foster homes
- Restricted foster homes
- Specialized family care homes
Child and Youth Mental Health Programs
- FRIENDS for Life: School-based early intervention and prevention program
- Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services: Court-related assessment and treatment services for youth involved with the law
- Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre: For youth 12-17 years of age with psychiatric and behavioural difficulties
Post-adoption Assistance Program
- Offers financial support to families who have adopted a child with special needs
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children Affiliated with BC Children's Hospital
- Offers a variety of services for children 0-19 years of age with developmental disabilities and their families
- Offers both specialized and primary community-based services including the Burnaby Infant Development Program and the Tri-Cities School Therapy Program
Community Brain Injury Program for Children and Youth (CBIPCY)
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Operated by the BC Centre for Ability
Income Support
The British Columbia government offers several financial assistance programs geared to families of children with disabilities.
Choices in Support of Independent Living (CSIL)
- Funded by the Ministry of Health, Community Care Services
- Provides funding for home support services
"At Home Program"
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Provides funding for respite and medical services for children and youth with severe disabilities living at home
Autism Funding Programs
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Website: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/funding_programs.htm
- Offers two programs:
- Autism funding under age 6
- Autism funding 6-18 years of age
Child Care Subsidy
- Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Monthly subsidy to help families provide quality child care
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Action Fund
- Administered by the Victoria Foundation
The Family Independence Fund
- Funded by Community Living of British Columbia and administered by the Giving in Action Society supported by the Vancouver Foundation
Respite Care Services
In British Columbia, families can apply to receive funding to find and manage their own respite care through the At Home Program. Families can choose to have respite offered in or outside the home. This service is offered through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
At Home Program
- Families must fill out an application for respite funding and can choose to receive either direct funding or be reimbursed for respite expenses
It is important to consider that due to high demand, some respite services may have a waitlist. Therefore it may be helpful to call in advance to inquire about wait times and have your name placed on the waiting list if need be.