Ministry of Children & Family Development

The Ministry of Children and Family Development’s primary focus is to support all children and youth in British Columbia to live in safe, healthy and nurturing families and be strongly connected to their communities and culture. The ministry’s approach is to provide inclusive, culturally respectful, responsive and accessible services that support the well-being of children, youth and families in B.C.

The ministry delivers its mandate through approximately 5,400 ministry staff working in partnership with Delegated Aboriginal Agencies, Indigenous service partners, approximately 6,000 contracted community social service agencies and foster homes, as well as cross-government and social-sector partners.

Featured Topics

• Call Provincial Centralized Screening – toll-free in B.C. at 1 800 663-9122 if you think a child or youth is being abused or neglected. It is available 24 hours a day.
• Child Care in B.C.
  Learn more about the ministry’s new child care plan – Childcare BC – including how to access child care funding.
• Indigenous Child & Family Development
  Information on key reports, programs and services available to Indigenous children, youth and families. Learn how B.C.’s changing child welfare system is helping to keep families together.
• Children & Youth with Special Needs
  Accessible, high-quality intervention and support services for children and youth with special needs.
• Adoption and Fostering
  Information on adoption and fostering in British Columbia.
• Teens in foster care
  Information on the tools available to help teens in government care prepare for adulthood. Learn more about the supports and services offered to former youth in care. 
• Youth Justice
  Services for youth aged 12 to 17 who are involved in the justice system.
• Provincial Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
  Programs and services for deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind individuals in B.C.
• Information for Contracted Service Providers
  Learn more about contracting with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Featured Services

• Protecting Children
  It is your duty to report child abuse. Learn more about child protection services in B.C.
• Child & Youth Mental Health
  Specialized mental health services to support children and their families who are living with mental health challenges.
• Youth & Family Services
  Sometimes families can benefit from a little extra help. Learn more about how to engage with youth, find specialized support for important transitions, and access useful services to help keep your family together during challenging times.