First Diagnosis

Understand the diagnosis your child receives and arm yourself with knowledge to better prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

Early Childhood Intervention Programs

A variety of services providers across BC, including Indigenous organizations are contracted to provide early childhood intervention services for infants and young children who show signs of -- or who are at risk of having - a developmental delay or disability.

Funding

Various funding sources are available to families depending on the needs and diagnosis of your child.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your child's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Getting Connected

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

Social Network

Start to work on your child's social network as soon as possible.

Infant Development Program

Access the Infant Development Program.

Aboriginal Infant Development Program

Access the Aboriginal Infant Development Program.

Supported Child Development

Access the Supported Child Development.

Aboriginal Supported Child Development

Access the Aboriginal Supported Child Development if applicable.

Early Intervention Therapy Program

Access the Early Intervention Therapy Program.

Charitable Funding

External funding sources and grants

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)

If eligible, open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for your youth.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Preschool

Decide whether you will enroll your child in preschool. If so, research preschool program options.

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

First Diagnosis

Understand the diagnosis your child receives and arm yourself with knowledge to better prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

Early Childhood Intervention Program

Access the ministry's early childhood intervention services

Funding

Various funding sources are available to families depending on the needs and diagnosis of your child.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your child's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Preschool

Research preschools and education options and enroll by the deadline.

Getting Connected

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

Social Network

Start to work on your child's social network as soon as possible

Infant Development Program

Acces the Infant Development Program.

Supported Child Development

Acces the Supported Child Development.

Aboriginal Supported Child Development

Acces the Aboriginal Supported Child Development if applicable.

Early Intervention Therapy Program

Acces the Early Intervention Therapy Program if appliceale.

Charitable funding

Variety Club CKNW Orphan's Fund, Easter Seals

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Individual Education Plans (IEP)

Familiarize yourself with Individual Education Plans

Gather relevant information for your school

Organize all assessments and reports that your new school will require

Specialized equipment

Discuss with your school any necessary specialized equipment that will be necessary for your child

Write a document

Create a one page document that describes in summary form the important aspects of your child.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

First Diagnosis

Understand the diagnosis your child receives and arm yourself with knowledge to better prepare yourself for what lies ahead.

Early Childhood Intervention Program

Access the ministry's early childhood intervention services

Funding

Various funding sources are available to families depending on the needs and diagnosis of your child.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your child's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)

If eligible, open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for your youth.

Kindergarten

Research schools and enroll your child in kindergarten.

School Meeting

Plan a meeting with school team.

Summer Check List

In the month of August, confirm that your requests for the beginning of the school year are in place.

Individual Education Plans (IEP)

Familiarize yourself with Individual Education Plans

Getting Connected

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

Social Network

Start to work on your child's social network as soon as possible

Associations and support groups

Consider joining an association or support group.

Infant Development Program

Access the Infant Development Program.

Supported Child Development

Access the Supported Child Development.

Aboriginal Supported Child Development

Access the Aboriginal Supported Child Development if applicable.

Early Intervention Therapy Program

Access the Early Intervention Therapy Program if appliceale.

Charitable funding

Variety Club CKNW Orphan's Fund, Easter Seals

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Reports/ Assessments

Makes copies of the most recent reports and assessments for your child's school.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Funding

Various funding sources are available to families depending on the needs and diagnosis of your child.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your child's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)

If eligible, open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for your youth.

Individual Education Plans (IEP)

Familiarize yourself with Individual Education Plans

Getting Connected

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

Social Network

Start to work on your child's social network as soon as possible

Associations and support groups

Consider joining an association or support group.

Charitable funding

Variety Club CKNW Orphan's Fund, Easter Seals

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Reports/ Assessments

Makes copies of the most recent reports and assessments for your child's school.

Summer Check List

In the month of August, confirm that your requests for the beginning of the school year are in place.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Funding

Ensure all funding available to you is in place.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your youth's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)

If eligible, open an Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for your youth.

Getting Organized

Develop a system - electronic or other - to help keep your information organized. Keep a checklist handy and consult it frequently.

Getting Connected

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

Social Network

Grow your youth's social network.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your youth's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)

If eligible, open an Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for your youth.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Financial Planning

Consider long term financial planning tools such as will & estate planning, trusts, insurance products, as well as RDSPs and RESPs.

Youth Profile

Identify the strengths, qualities, likes, and dislikes of your youth.

Puberty and Sexuality

If appropriate, begin to talk to your youth about puberty and sexuality.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Research the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Start one if it is a good fit for your youth and family.

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Determine your youth's eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP)

If eligible, open an Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for your youth.

Build The Team

Begin to pull together the key individuals for your youth's Transition Team.

Create the Transition Plan

Together with the transition team (including the youth), create a vison for your youth's life and include goals in Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Financial Planning

Consider long term financial planning tools such as will & estate planning, trusts, insurance products, as well as RDSPs and RESPs.

Youth Profile

Regularly review your youth's profile (strengths, qualities, likes, dislikes...) Discuss their hopes, dreams and visions for their future.

Puberty and Sexuality

Talk to/ inform your youth about puberty and sexuality.

Obtain / Update Assessments

In order for psycho-educational assessments of youth transitioning to adult services to be accepted by Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), school psychologists must provide confirmation of a developmental disability reflecting the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition: Text Revision for Mental Retardation- Mild (317), Moderate (318.0), Severe (318.1) or Profound (318.2).

Transition Workshops

Consider attending a transition workshop.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Youth Profile

Regularly review your youth's profile (strengths, qualities, likes, dislikes...) Discuss their hopes, dreams and visions for their future.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for your youth.

Legal Identification

Get your youth's legal identification in order.

Income Taxes and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

If your youth has a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), they need to file income taxes at ages 16 and 17.

Build The Team

Pull together the key individuals for your youth's Transition Team.

Create / Review Transition Plan / IEP

Review and update the Transition Plan and the Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Obtain / Update Assessments

Determine which assessments are required in order to effectively transition into adult services. (Most commonly required - psycho-educational assessment.)

Transition Workshops

Consider attending a transition workshop.

School

Research and plan for post-secondary education / training, vocational skills, and employment preparation.

Financial Planning

Consider long term financial planning tools such as will & estate planning, trusts, insurance products, as well as RDSPs and RESPs.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) file

Apply for CLBC services.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities - Community Involvement

Begin to research employment and volunteer opportunities for the individual. Include in Transition Plan and IEP.

Resume / Portfolio

Begin to build youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Self Description

As much as possible, teach youth how to describe their uniqueness to others.

Recreation, Leisure, & Entertainment

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) file

CLBC delivers support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. To receive CLBC services, a person must be 19 years of age or older, but eligibility can be confirmed as soon as they turn 16.

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Youth Profile

Regularly review your youth's profile (strengths, qualities, likes, dislikes...) Discuss their hopes, dreams and visions for their future.

Financial Planning

Consider long term financial planning tools such as will & estate planning, trusts, insurance products, as well as RDSPs and RESPs.

Transition Workshops

Attend transition workshops.

School

Make a decision about an extra year of high school for your youth. Otherwise, ensure your youth has met all graduating requirements.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Get a Social Insurance Number for youth.

Review Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Contact Revenue Canada to add your youth's name and SIN to their Disability Tax Credit file.

Open Bank Account

Open a bank account in youth's name.

Disability Benefits

Apply for disability benefits.

Income Taxes and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

If your youth has a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), they need to file income taxes at ages 16 and 17.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) file

Learn about CLBC and identify and meet your facilitator.

Figure out the funding

Learn about funding eligibility, availability and options.

Transition Team

Review / update members of transition team. If you do not already have a transition team for your youth, pull one together.

Create / Review Transition Plan / IEP

Review and update the Transition Plan and the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Ensure that goals identified are relevant to your youth's adult life.

Obtain / Update Assessments

Determine which assessments are required in order to effectively transition into adult services. (Most commonly required - psycho-educational assessment.)

School

Research and plan for post-secondary education / training, vocational skills, and employment preparation.

Grants, Bursaries, Scholarships, Loans

Research school grants, bursaries, scholarships, and apply for them.

Legal identification

Get your youth's legal identification in order.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

If your youth has an RESP AND they will be attending post secondary education, inform yourself of the steps required in order to access these funds.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities - Community Involvement

Review / research employment and volunteer opportunities. Include in transition plan - including the IEP.

Resume / Portfolio

Build youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Self Description

As much as possible, teach youth how to describe their uniqueness to others.

Recreation, Leisure, & Entertainment

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Representation Agreements / Power of Attorney

Learn about representation agreements and enduring power of attorney.

Support Service Organizations / Day Programs

Visit and interview community living agencies in your community to see what they offer. Learn about day programs and activity options.

Public Transportation

Learn about public transport options and discounts. Once approved for PWD, apply for the annual bus pass.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Youth Profile

Regularly review your youth's profile (strengths, qualities, likes, dislikes...) Discuss their hopes, dreams and visions for their future.

Review Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Contact Revenue Canada to add your youth's name and SIN to their Disability Tax Credit file.

Open Bank Account

If not already done, open a bank account in youth's name.

Disability Benefits

Apply for disability benefits if you have not already done so. Attend PWD meeting.

Figure out the Funding

Learn about funding eligibility, availability, and options.

Support Service Organizations / Day Programs

Visit and interview community living agencies in your community to see what they offer. Learn about day programs and activity options.

Representation Agreements / Power of Attorney

Learn about representation agreements and enduring power of attorney. If needed, have one in place.

At Home Program ~ PWD medical coverage

When the individual turns 18, funding provided by the At Home Program will end, and medical coverage through PWD will begin.

Housing

Research housing options.

Income Taxes

File youth's income taxes.

Transition team

Review/ update members of transition team. If you do not already have a transition team for your youth, pull one together.

Create / Review Transition Plan / IEP

Review and update the Transition Plan and the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Ensure that goals identified are relevant to individual's adult life.

Obtain / Update Assessments

Determine which assessments are required in order to effectively transition into adult services. (Most commonly required - psycho-educational assessment.)

Transition Workshops

Attend transition workshops.

School

Research and plan for post-secondary education / training, vocational skills, and employment preparation.

Grants, Bursaries, Scholarships, Loans

Research school grants, bursaries, scholarships, and apply for them.

Financial Planning

Consider long term financial planning tools such as will & estate planning, trusts, insurance products, as well as RDSPs and RESPs.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

If your youth has an RESP AND they will be attending post secondary education, inform yourself of the steps required in order to access these funds.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) file

Identify and meet your Community Living BC (CLBC) facilitator.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities - Community Involvement

Review / research employment and volunteer opportunities. Include in transition plan - including the IEP.

Resume / Portfolio

Update youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Self Description

As much as possible, teach youth how to describe their uniqueness to others.

Home Community Care, Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL)

If eligible, apply for Home Community Care (for respite, home support for personal care, and meals preparation) and CSIL Program (Choice in Supports for Independent Living), which provides funds to purchase home supports.

Public Transportation

Learn about public transport options and discounts. Once approved for PWD, apply for the annual bus pass.

Recreation, Leisure, & Entertainment

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Hold Exit Transition Meeting

Hold final meeting with Transition Team.

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Youth Profile

Regularly review your youth's profile (strengths, qualities, likes, dislikes...) Discuss their hopes, dreams and visions for their future.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities - Community Involvement

Review / research / secure employment and volunteer opportunities.

Self Description

As much as possible, teach youth how to describe their uniqueness to others.

Housing

Research housing options.

Income Taxes

File youth's income taxes.

Review Transition Plan / IEP

Review and update the Transition Plan and the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Ensure that goals identified are relevant to individual's adult life.

School

Review interest in post secondary options. Research and apply for education/ training, vocational skills and employment preparation.

Grants, Bursaries, Scholarships, Loans

Research school grants, bursaries, scholarships, and apply for them.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

If your youth has an RESP AND they will be attending post secondary education, inform yourself of the steps required in order to access these funds.

Resume / Portfolio

Update youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Representation Agreements / Power of Attorney

Learn about representation agreements and enduring power of attorney by consulting a lawyer and/or attending a workshop or information session. Have them in place if needed.

Home Community Care, Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL)

If eligible, apply for Home Community Care (for respite, home support for personal care, and meals preparation) and CSIL Program (Choice in Supports for Independent Living), which provides funds to purchase home supports.

Review Resume / Portfolio

Build youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Public Transportation

Learn about public transport options and discounts. Once approved for PWD, apply for the annual bus pass.

Recreation, Leisure & Entertainment

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Hold Exit Transition Meeting

Hold final meeting with Transition Team.

Advocacy and Self Advocacy

Learn about advocacy and self advocacy. Research organizations that specialize in these areas.

Health

Establish a system whereby youth's medical information and ongoing follow ups are noted and flagged.

WayFinders

WayFinders is a program available across British Columbia, that offers personalized conversations and resources to empower people with disabilities to find their direction towards fuller, richer lives in their community. - No Cost free one-on-one Visioning and Path finding - Flexible as we meet families where and when they would like to meet

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.

Post Secondary Education

Review interest in post secondary options. Research and apply for post secondary education/ training, vocational skills and employment preparation. Research school grants, bursaries and scholarships and apply. Access RESP funds if applicable. If post secondary will not be considered, learn about options to transfer funds into other savings vehicles.

Resume / Portfolio

Update youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Representation Agreements / Power of Attorney

If applicable, review / update representation agreements and enduring power of attorney by consulting a lawyer.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities - Community Involvement

Review / research / secure employment and volunteer opportunities.

Self Description

As much as possible, teach the youth how to describe their uniqueness to others.

Recreation, Leisure, & Entertainment

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Housing

Research housing options.

Income Taxes

File youth's income taxes.

Advocacy and Self Advocacy

Learn about advocacy and self advocacy. Research organizations that specialize in these areas.

Health

Establish a system whereby youth's medical information and ongoing follow ups are noted and flagged.

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.