Piloting a CYSN service approach in four communities

On this page

• A new pilot CYSN service approach in four communities
• What's available to families in the four communities
  • Pilot family connections centres
  • Disability services
  • Provincial services
• How will the pilot family connections centre support my family?
• Next steps

A new pilot CYSN service approach in four communities 

In 2023, the Province started piloting a new children and youth with support needs (CYSN) service approach in four communities:

• Kelowna
• Prince Rupert
• Terrace
• Smithers  

The Province paused a plan to establish a provincial network of family connection centres in 2022, with the exception of the four pilots. The service approach that is being piloted is being evaluated to help inform the Province’s work to improve CYSN services.

What's available to families in the four communities

Pilot family connections centres

Pilot family connections centres are operated by contracted community organizations in four centres in the Central Okanagan and the North Coast / Bulkley Nechako.

Family connection centres deliver voluntary services through multidisciplinary teams including:

• Speech therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Behavioural analysts
• Consultants 

Children, youth and families can access these services without the involvement of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Disability services

Disability Services includes respite, parenting and professional supports. Disability Services are delivered through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and are available in the four pilot communities for eligible children and youth with support needs and their families.

Provincial services

Provincial services include:

• Information Services
• Individualized Autism Funding Programs
• At Home Program Medical Benefits: Equipment and Medical supplies for children and youth with support needs

How the pilot family connections centres support families

Families can access services at the pilot family connection centres run by local community organizations to meet their unique needs. Services are available:

• Centre-based
• Virtually
• In-home
• Through outreach

If a family accessing autism services through a pilot family connections centre decides it is not the right fit for their child/youth and family, they can resume their Individualized Autism Funding at any time. Individualized funding can be paused only once.

Next steps

The Province is committed to working with Indigenous peoples, key partners and people with lived experience to realign and improve services for children and youth with support and mental health needs.

A report on the findings from the evaluation of the pilot approach to CYSN services will be released at a later date. The results of this evaluation along with what was heard through engagement will inform the path forward.