Essential Planning Guide for Students in BC: June 2024 Edition

Planning For Adulthood for Students in BC What To Ask and When? June 2024 Edition

Ages 11-15 Years Old + Has a psychoeducational or neuro-psychoeducational assessment been completed? If so and the student has been deemed eligible for Community Living BC (CLBC) services, has the one-page CLBC psychologist assessor form also been completed? Are you actively connected with a Child and Youth with Special Needs Social Worker (CYSN-SW) if eligible for this service? Are you connected with the At-Home Program if eligible for this service? Are you connected with Child and Youth Mental Health if requiring this service?

Ages 11-15 Years Old + Are you eligible for a Child Disability Tax Credit? Have you set up a Registered Disability Savings Plan? Have you set up a Registered Education Savings Plan? Has your student connected with recreational opportunities in the community?

Ages 16 + Does the student have a BC Services Identity Picture card? Does the student have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? Does the student have a joint bank account with parent? You will need this for employment and for applying for Persons with a Disability assistance. Consider doing a PATH or MAPS or another type of mapping of goals and dreams for the future; such making the My Booklet

Age 16+ Has your student and the school team discussed what school completion path your student will be completing? (Dogwood or Evergreen certificate) Submit the Community Living BC Application for the eligible student. The family or the Child and Youth with Support Needs Social Worker can do this by submitting the required paperwork (psycho-educational assessment and CLBC assessor form) from 16 years old onwards. Attend CLBC Welcome Workshops

Ages 17-18 + If eligible, apply for Persons with a Disability assistance or BCANDS from 17.5 years old onwards. If your student is CLBC eligible, complete the CLBC Guide to Support Allocation interview with he CLBC facilitator by the October before their 19th birthday (or even earlier to be safe). Will your student be returning for a 12+ school year; or apply for Post-Secondary Education Programs and scholarships if in last year of school Discuss graduation activities with student and if any supports a required for participation

Ages 17-18 + Review with student whether they need any special equipment that can be funded by childhood charities/donors Ensure your student s health team are making referrals to adult specialist if needed. Arrange cross-training between pediatric and adult health teams if required. Consider whether a Representation Agreement or another form of legal representation is needed. If the child has complex medical needs and significant cognitive impairment, they may require a committee-ship which is a process with a lawyer.

Ages 19 + If the youth needs it, sign the Representation Agreement when the youth turns 19 years old; or ensure other representation has been set-up. Consider future housing needs: BC Housing application or discuss CLBC funded housing with CLBC Facilitator

Community Health Services: In Your Regional Health Authority Call to request services for close-to-19 or 19+ students (for safety and functional independence at home; not ongoing therapy) Accessing Community Health Services

If eligible for Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) high medical care needs but able to self- direct care, request an assessment with a case manager Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) If eligible for Home Supports for Community Living (HSCL) services, contact the CLBC facilitator to make a referral or therapist can contact your Community Health Services case manager. Community Health Services Accessing Community Health Services in: Fraser Health Interior Health Island Health Northern Health Vancouver Coastal Health

Family Support Community Living Victoria and Youth BC Representative for Children Advocacy and Family Support Family Support Institute Family Support Institute Inclusion BC Inclusion BC Disability Resource Centre Victoria Quality Community organizations providing advocacy support and information for childhood and adulthood Office of the Advocate for Service Disability Alliance BC

Service continues until 19 years old. Can access support of a Child and Youth with Support Needs Social Worker. Child and Youth Services MCFD Assistance with CLBC referrals, respite, guardianship, mental health referrals, PWD applications, etc Child & Family Services Office - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) Eligibility: your child has Autism, Intellectual Disability and/or is on At-Home Program.

At Home Program Medical benefits ends at 18 y.o Respite benefits ends at 19 y.o. Are you getting all your medical products? Supplies will transition to adult PWD program The At Home Program - Eligibility and Application - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Ends at 19 years old Connect with Child and Youth with Support Needs Social Worker if needing assistance with this program Autism Funding Autism funding - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) Can support funding for therapy as well as equipment

Developmental Disability 19 years or older Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) Impaired intellectual functioning Impaired adaptive functioning Impairments started before age 18 Personalized Supports Initiative Am I Eligible for CLBC Support? - Community Living BC 19 years or older Significant limitation in adaptive functioning How to Get Support at Community Living BC AND FASD or ASD

Attend Welcome Workshops Meet your facilitator CLBC Complete interviews with facilitator for an assessment of support needs before turning 19 years old The Welcome and Planning Process - Community Living BC

CLBC Complaints Resolution Process Contact the facilitator whenever you have a concern or question. Need more help? Can submit online or can all the Quality Assurance office at 1-855-664- 7972 Complaints - Community Living BC

Secondary Education Is your student completing a Dogwood or Evergreen Certificate? Will your student be eligible to return for at 12+ school year? Will your student be participating in grad activities? Any supports needed to participate in these activities? Certificates of Graduation - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Belonging in Post Secondary Education Steps-Forward partners with Post-secondary institutions in BC to co- create Inclusive Post- secondary Education Initiatives that support belonging, for students with intellectual and a developmental disabilities, in the academic and social life on campus. Steps-Forward

Steps-Forward Post-Secondary Education Pathways (Camosun College) Employment and Training Program (Camosun College) Example of Alternate Post- Secondary Options in Victoria, BC Education and Career Planning Certificate (Camosun College)

Many Colleges and Universities in BC have a Centre for Accessible Learning Facilitate accommodations and supports and partner with students and staff to remove disability-related barriers. Post-Secondary Education Supports

Registered Education Savings Plan Registered Education Savings Plan Education Funding Student Aid: BC Access Grant Student Aid 2 Grants Equipment and Technology Grant Janna Epp Bursary Janna Epp Bursary for students with CP Saving Plans, Grants, Student Aid and Scholarship Opportunities Luis Buss Bursary Lisa Huus Bursary

CLBC L.I.F.E. Service Supported Employment Work BC Rise Up Youth Employment Thrive (Vancouver Island) Supported Employment Programs in BC

Provincial Housing Supports BC Housing Registry CLBC Supported Housing options

BCANDS First Nations Health Authority Indigenous Supports Friendship Centre/Society BC Metis Federation Jordan s Principle Funding

Mental Health Services Child and Youth with Mental Health Kelty Mental Health - BC Childrens Various community mental health programs available to youth

Be 18 years old (you can start the application process when you are 17 ) Have a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to continue for more than two years Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Be significantly restricted in your ability to perform daily-living activities Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Can receive up to $1,483.50 if you are single Disability assistance - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) Set up a My Self Serve account and upload required documents My Self Serve - Home (gov.bc.ca)

Access 2 Entertainment Card Canucks Autism Network Easter Seal Camps Leisure Assistant Pass Leisure Involvement For Everyone (LIFE) Power To Be Special Olympics Dance Without Limits adapted dance (online) BC Therapeutic Riding Association Recreation Opportunities and Passes

Travel Passes and Leisure BC Ferries BC Bus Pass Program HandyDART and Handy Card Disability Travel Card BC Parks Camping Fee Exemption BC Fishing License Leisure Access Program Travel Passes and Discounts

Representation Agreement Representation Commiteeship or Guardianship Micro-board Information There are several legal representation options for an 19 + years old.

Child Disability Benefit Child Disability Tax Credit until 18 years old Tax Credits Adult Disability Tax Credit - 18 years old +

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) Savings Plans Plan BC - $150 endowment for low-income students/families towards an RDSP RDSP Plan BC ($150 start up seed money through Plan BC)

Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA) for students in their last year of the schooling who require transition support for their AAC system as they move into adulthood Technology Supports Technology for Independent Living (TIL) environmental control systems to assist people with physical disability to control devices in their home and on the go

Timeline Templates Child and Youth with Support Needs Social Workers will usually provide families a timeline Find Support BC Transition Timeline Other Transition Guides online

Practice riding the bus with family members or with the school team Download the BC transit app Transportation Register for HandyDART online BC Transit

RoadSafety BC drivers medical examination Transportation Wheelchair Accessible vehicles discuss whether one is needed for wheelchair users and their families. Learning To Drive