Printable checklist

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

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

Access the Infant Development Program.

Access the Aboriginal Infant Development Program.

Access the Supported Child Development.

Access the Aboriginal Supported Child Development if applicable.

Access the Early Intervention Therapy Program.

External funding sources and grants

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

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

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

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

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

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

Acces the Infant Development Program.

Acces the Supported Child Development.

Acces the Aboriginal Supported Child Development if applicable.

Acces the Early Intervention Therapy Program if appliceale.

Variety Club CKNW Orphan's Fund, Easter Seals

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

Familiarize yourself with Individual Education Plans

Organize all assessments and reports that your new school will require

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

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

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

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

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

Consider joining an association or support group.

Access the Infant Development Program.

Access the Supported Child Development.

Access the Aboriginal Supported Child Development if applicable.

Access the Early Intervention Therapy Program if appliceale.

Variety Club CKNW Orphan's Fund, Easter Seals

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

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

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.

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

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

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

Consider joining an association or support group.

Variety Club CKNW Orphan's Fund, Easter Seals

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

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

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

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

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

Network with other families and build your circle of support.

Grow your youth's social network.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Talk to/ inform your youth about puberty and sexuality.

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).

Consider attending a transition workshop.

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

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

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

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

Consider attending a transition workshop.

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

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

Apply for CLBC services.

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

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

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

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get your youth's legal identification in order.

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.

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

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

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

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Learn about representation agreements and enduring power of attorney.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attend transition workshops.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Hold final meeting with Transition Team.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Hold final meeting with Transition Team.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By the age of 21, the following items will likely already be in place.

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.

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

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

Who this is for: Adults managing chronic conditions, multiple providers, or complex care needs.

Who this is for: Adults diagnosed later in life (e.g., autism, ADHD, mental health conditions).

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

Added Care Funding is the funding that supports adults with disabilities who are considered to have High Intensity Health Care Needs."

We often wait for some time to obtain an appointment with a doctor or specialist. Here are some tips to prepare for a visit and partnering with a doctor and feel more confident about the chosen treatment.

Microboards and Individualized Funding are tools that can assist people with disabilities to take greater control of their lives; living the life they choose. Vela Canada is a not-for-profit based in British Columbia that offers support for these tools.

Resources and agencies that support seniors