2008 - 2009 Innovation Grants

Each year CLBC makes funding available on a one-time only basis for innovative projects that are meant to help create sustainable, person-focused approaches to developing, funding and implementing needed supports and services. Innovations are new or significantly improved ideas, goods, services, processes or practices that are meant to be useful. CLBC needs and welcomes innovations that improve people's lives. An innovation selection committee made up of CLBC staff and community members makes decisions about which applications are funded. A members’ list is at the bottom of this page.

In 2008 – 2009, CLBC’s Innovation Grants have targeted family governed projects. These projects are developed by small groups of families who, as a group, arrange and oversee initiatives needed by their family members with a disability [e.g. support to get a job] or themselves [e.g. a newsletter to share needed information]. Family members take on as much, or as little, responsibility in developing their projects which can be local or provincial in nature. These seven grants were funded as part of this year’s Innovation Grants Program:

1. Family Based Economic Inclusion Project
   This project will conduct research and establish partnerships with families and economic leaders to identify and advance three to five economic inclusion strategies for adults with developmental disabilities. A final report and speakers’ series will share findings and lessons learned.
   
2. Exploring the Options for People with Disabilities
   A day-long workshop will be organized for people living in the Quesnel area on home ownership, wills and estate planning and the registered disability savings plan by the project governance group.
   
3. Langley Community Living Housing Coalition
   Through research and partnerships with government and the private sector, this coalition will explore and possibly develop a variety of mixed housing options for adults with a developmental disability. Goals include a greater number of rental subsidies and housing developments in Langley that include a disability component. A final report will share experiences with families in other BC communities.
   
4. Family Education and Leadership Project
   Using regular monthly opportunities for families to gather and share information and learn from guest speakers, and educational retreats for both families and siblings, Korean families are aiming to increase their awareness about person centred options and to seek solutions to individual family needs.
   
5. The Friendship Project
   This project will provide workshops and practical assistance to help young adults in the Comox Valley to reach their goal of forming and keeping friends. Other key outcomes include creating a permanent network that will continue the project once funding runs out and an increased willingness by local citizens to establish relationships with marginalized people.
   
6. Beaver Valley Sibling Workshop
   The governance group will conduct a two-day sibling workshop in the BC Interior to teach siblings, families and service providers how to implement a quality sibling group in their own home communities
   
7. Parenting Threads Newsletter
   Supported by the governance group, six editions of a newsletter written by parents for parents will share information and resources and support networking with other parents in the BC interior. The newsletter will also contribute to the organization of social meetings and family gatherings where additional information and resources can be shared.
   
8. Revelstoke Respite Project
   This two-year project will establish a program to provide needed respite services to families with children and adults in the Revelstoke area. The contractor responsible for organizing needed respite services will be determined by the families, project consultant, and CLBC as part of the process of establishing the respite program. Key outcomes for participating families include having access to skilled and flexible respite workers, input into who these workers will be, and timely access to needed respite when they are in crisis.

If you have questions about family governed projects, phone or email Brian Salisbury [Cell: 604-897-1856 / Email: Brian.Salisbury@gov.bc.ca]. You can also learn more about family governed projects by visiting this link.

2007/ 08 Innovation Grants
Family Governed Projects

In 2007/08, CLBC targeted innovation funding for family-governed projects. The granting process was deferred until the announcement of the 2008/09 budget, however, four projects from last year’s pool of applicants were funded for a one-year period effective May 1, 2008.

1. The Boy Inside Community DVD project will use a DVD about Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] to facilitate public dialogue events on issues faced by families with children and youth with ASD. 
   
2. The Supporting Everyday Lives project will address the needs of a group of adults with complex needs by improving access to, and providing training for, skilled staff and providing coordination support to families who carry core responsibilities of managing all aspects of their sons and daughters supports.  The project will also identify individualized housing options.
   
3. The Mi-Ride Transportation project will establish a Community Inclusion Driver Strategy in Grand Forks, Christina Lake and Greenwood. The goal is to identify drivers to act as the primary transportation provider for up to 15 people who have difficulty accessing their community due to limited transportation options.
   
4. The Parent Advisory / Community Resource Builder project will assist senior parents to address the needs of their sons and daughters. Key goals are improving quality of life by creating community connections and developing friendships.  A resource guide of community groups, agencies and services that can be accessed to build social and community connections will also be developed.

2006/07 Innovation Grants
Young Adults Community Options Initiative

Four applicants representing service providers and family groups received funding to support young adults who had left school within the last three years to obtain employment or engage in meaningful community activities.

Three one-time only grants were awarded. Gibsons Family Network and Summerland Community Support helped young adults create businesses while CBI Consultants Ltd. conducted a research project to support people with significant disabilities to gain supported employment opportunities. A three-year grant was awarded to Theatre Terrific’s Classic Project which will result in a new or modified play that features a cast of both disabled and non-disabled actors.

Selection Committee
The selection committee will be made up of the following people: