Preparing to Access CLBC Supports

Becoming an adult is an important, exciting, and sometimes challenging time for youth and their families. When youth have disabilities, it is important and necessary to prepare for this change.

CLBC calls this process transition planning. Transition planning includes accessing community supports and developing support networks. CLBC helps people link to community and links people to services. For some youth, transition planning includes applying for CLBC adult services. CLBC provides a range of community living supports and services to eligible adults once they turn 19 to assist them to live as fully and independently as possible in the community.

CLBC works in collaboration with youth and their families and other government organizations and ministries to support youth transitioning to adulthood. There are many opportunities, supports and services that youth and their families will learn about which may be appropriate or needed for adult life.

When should I start transition planning with CLBC?

Transition planning with CLBC should start after your 16th birthday. It is best to begin the first step once you turn 16 because it sometimes takes several weeks or even months to get all the required documents to CLBC.

If you are accessing Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) supports and services, once you turn 14, your MCFD worker can provide assistance to you and your family for transition planning and applying for adult services, which can include CLBC services.

What are the steps in the transition planning process?

Preparing to access CLBC supports has three key steps.

Step 1: Show that you are eligible for CLBC adult services

After your 16 birthday, you and your family can apply to CLBC for support.

• CLBC has two sets of criteria for eligibility. To be eligible, you must meet the criteria for either a developmental disability or the Personalized Supports Initiative. CLBC requires specific documentation for eligibility. Visit the Am I Eligible for CLBC Support? page to learn if you may be eligible, and find out what documents are needed. (To receive CLBC services, you must be 19 years of age or older, but eligibility can be confirmed after your 16th birthday.)
• After all required documents for eligibility have been sent to CLBC, a facilitator will review the documents and contact you to tell you if you are eligible for CLBC adult services or to let you know if further information is needed.

Starting this process early is a good idea. CLBC would like to confirm eligibility for youth transitioning to adulthood as soon after their 16th birthday as possible.

Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD) offers Navigator services for transitioning youth and their families in 116 communities across B.C. If you live in one of these communities, you can request the services of a STADD Navigator once you have been confirmed as eligible for CLBC services. Learn more about STADD Navigators.

Step 2: Learn about CLBC

At any point during the transition process, you and your family members can:

• Attend a CLBC Welcome Workshop series to learn about adult life, community resources, planning options and CLBC services. The workshops will also share information about creating a Personal Summary which you will need if you want to request CLBC services. (If you can’t attend a workshop, you can meet with a facilitator once one has been assigned to you or your family member).
• The Welcome Workshops will introduce tools to create a Personal Summary for yourself or your family member that shares strengths, interests, needs, and any goals you have for adulthood (i.e. getting a job, etc.)

Attending the CLBC Welcome Workshop series as early as possible will give you and your family more time to plan for the next stage of your life.

Step 3: Decide how you want to plan for adult life

After you complete the CLBC Welcome Workshop series, you and your family members may decide to:

• Meet with a CLBC facilitator to talk about different planning choices, including creating your own plan, planning with an independent planner, planning with a service provider or planning with your facilitator. Please see the Information for Families about Planning Information Sheet

Step 4: If you want CLBC services, tell your CLBC facilitator about your interests and needs

• After you have attended the Welcome Workshop series and created your Personal Summary, meet with your CLBC facilitator to talk about what community resources are available to you or your family member.
• If you want to request CLBC services, you can share your Personal Summary with your facilitator. Your facilitator will gather information from you about your life now and the kinds of supports that you might need. The facilitator will record this information, and submit a Request for Services (for when the youth is an adult). Please see Information for Families on Getting CLBC Services.

The ages provided above are suggested guidelines but sometimes people do not start the process until later. Once you begin the process, a CLBC facilitator can provide you with information about the next steps that are needed for your situation.

Service to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD)

Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD) offers Navigator services for transitioning youth and their families in 145 communities across B.C. Navigators act as the primary point of contact for individuals in coordinating transition planning and access to supports and services through the transition period of 16-24 years old.

• Learn more about STADD and how they can support the transition planning process
• Read the STADD Info Sheet for Youth and Families
• Read the Navigator Supports Brochure

How does CLBC collaborate with other government services?

CLBC works in collaboration with youth, their families and other government organizations and ministries to support youth transition. The Cross Ministry Transition Planning Protocol for Youth with Special Needs describes how youth and their families and the nine government organizations work together.

The protocol outlines the components of a transition planning process that starts by age 14 and identifies the Roles and Tasks for Transition Planning Team Members.

For more information regarding the Cross Ministry Transition Planning Protocol for Youth with Special Needs see the Fact Sheet and Question and Answers.

Visit the Other Government Supports page to learn about other government support, including with the transition planning process

Learn more

• Read the Information Sheet on Youth Transition