• Talk to your friends, especially other youth with CHC/Ds, to see what their plans are after high school.
  
• Get inspired – watch this video from Kid President!
  
• Make a list of your strengths, and things you like doing – where do you see yourself in 10 years.

• Ask your health care providers about health risks or considerations when you are choosing a job.
• Find a mentor (someone older than you who has the same condition or abilities), and ask them about how they found their path outside of school.
  
• Check out EducationPlanner.ca to look at programs after high school in BC.

• Explore employment services for youth, persons with disabilities or barriers to employment:

  • Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
  • Community Living BC (CLBC) Employment
  
  

• Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) so you can work.
  

• Talk to your parents about their medical and health benefits and to what age you will be covered.
• Make sure you are enrolled with the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) - it's mandatory for residents of BC. You may be covered under your parents' plan if:
• You are under 18.
• You are age 19-24 and a full-time student.
• For First Nations and Inuit youth – look into Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to see what medications and services can be covered.
  
• Find out if you can get a Disability Tax Credit because of your health condition.
• There are special tax credits if you have Diabetes.
• If you have a disability, check out the Family Toolkit with your parents and family for lots of information on Finances and Living! 

Tips and links

• Think about causes that are important to you.
• How might you get involved in volunteering? Look for opportunities on govolunteer.ca.
  
• Open your own bank account, and apply for a credit card to develop your own credit rating. Take a look at these Banking Tips from the Government of Canada.

• Ask your guidance counsellor at school about scholarships and bursaries.
  
• Do some investigating – are there any special programs or scholarships for youth with chronic health issues in your community?
  
• Do some investigating - there are many scholarships, bursaries, and benefits available to youth:
• For all youth

• Did you know that if you have a chronic condition, learning or physical disability, or mental health concerns, you can get ‘special accommodations’ for studying, exams and in case of illness?
  
• Register early in the term at your college or University through Student or Disability Services.

• If you 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).
• Search for tips on traveling with your specific condition, for example, traveling with diabetes.
  
• 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.