Looking forward
By Hon. Kevin Krueger, Minister of Social Development
Minister Krueger answers questions from the BC CEO Network.
I’m very pleased to have been appointed Minister responsible for Community Living BC (CLBC). As the crown agency responsible for providing supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities in British Columbia and their families, CLBC has achieved much in its five years of supporting eligible adults to live independent and productive lives in their communities.
As the MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson, and especially since being appointed Minister of Social Development last October, I have had the opportunity to meet with people involved in community living. I look forward to learning more about the many accomplishments of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and to sharing these stories with the public.
I think it’s important to make all British Columbians more aware of the supports and services provided through CLBC and especially to emphasize the many contributions that individuals supported by CLBC make to our communities and to our province.
More and more individuals with developmental disabilities are seeking opportunities to work in meaningful jobs for real pay. I want our Ministry of Social Development to support this goal by enhancing customized employment services for people with developmental disabilities.
To those of you who are getting involved as employees, volunteers, or both, I want to thank you for your efforts not only as contributors to B.C.’s economy and well-being, but for showing others how it’s done.
This month we mark the one-year anniversary of CLBC’s Personalized Supports Initiative (PSI) which is providing a new group of adults with individualized support and services through CLBC. British Columbia is the first place in North America to provide such services to individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder (also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorder). We’re working with our colleagues in other ministries on the next steps for this program as it grows.
Government recognizes the importance of providing services for every eligible adult to meet their disability-related needs. I recently had the opportunity to speak with service providers from the BC CEO Network and I am impressed by the collaborative relationship with CLBC on the delivery of services to the individuals you support. Together with self-advocates and families, you are all contributing to a better life for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Minister Krueger with the BC CEO Network Leadership.
I look forward to working with all of you – self-advocates, families, service providers and the many other people who contribute to building inclusive communities in our province. The future holds the promise of new ways of doing things that will improve the lives of the people we serve. I am confident that we will continue to find new ways of supporting individuals and families to achieve their goals and participate fully in the community.
