Tips and links

• Complete the Youth Quiz section called Future Planning together.
• Work through the Youth Toolkit Activity Cards to help youth develop skills and knowledge as they are able.
  
• Talk to your youth about their interests and goals.
• Work together through Goal Setting 101. 
• Talk to other parents for recommendations of supportive services they are receiving.

 Tips and links

• Have your youth talk to their clinic team and Family Practitioner to see if there are any health concerns that might affect or limit career/work choices.Compare post-secondary programs in BC using educationplanner.ca. 
• Find a mentor (someone who has the same condition or abilities as your youth) and ask them about how they found their path outside of school.
• Explore employment services for youth, persons with disabilities or barriers to employment:
  
• WorkBC
• Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
• Community Living BC (CLBC) Employment
• Learn about rights and responsibilities for employment.
  

Tips and links

• Help youth get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) so they can work.Print off the ON TRAC Transition Timeline for your fridge or desk – start the conversations.
• For youth with special needs, download the BC Ministries Timeline onto your phone/computer, and/or print a copy.
  

• Talk to school counsellors for information about volunteer opportunities that match your youth’s interests.
• Check out volunteer programs in your community. Think about causes that are important to your youth and family.
• Explore work, training, education and volunteering opportunities through InclusionWorks.ca for youth with developmental disabilities.
  
• Start youth’s own bank account – apply for a credit card to develop a credit rating. Take a look at these Banking Tips from the Government of Canada.
  

• Create a vision board of likes, hopes and dreams and how to get there.
  
• Explore post-secondary websites for listings of general programs and opportunities
• Look for a youth-friendly Resource Centre in your community to help youth with health conditions/disabilities plan for their future.

• Ask guidance counsellors at school about scholarships, bursaries, and special programs.
  
• Do some investigating – there are many scholarships, bursaries, and benefits available to youth:
  
• For all youth
• National Educational Association of Disabled Students
• Check out Government of Canada: CanLearn for education planning, student loans, and education savings and RESPs.
  
• Learn about your rights as an employee from Disability Alliance BC.

• Did you know that if youth have a chronic condition, learning or physical disability, or mental health condition, they can get special accommodations for studying, writing exams, and in case of illness?
  
• If you do not register and miss classes, assignments or exams due to illness, youth may not receive any accommodation for marks or course completion.
  
• Register early in the term through College or University Student or Disability Services.
• Check out this list of Post-Secondary Disability Services Contacts throughout BC.
  
• Youth living with permanent disabilities may be eligible for a number of benefits from StudentAid BC.
  

• If youth are planning to move away for school, you need to talk to your health care providers and plan ahead.
  
• Watch this scripted video about a young woman moving away to college.
  
• Find out more about traveling with a medical condition (including travel insurance).
• If you rely on the BC Family Residence Program to support your travel and accommodation to health care appointments, learn how these benefits change at adulthood.
  
• Learn about youth and adult funding for non-emergency specialists visits through the Travel Assistance Program (TAP) – or call 1 800 661-2668.
  
• Learn about adult funding for medical travel available through Health Connections.