Tips and Links

• Talk to your physicians, nurses, social worker, case managers, and community support workers about how services change at 18-19 years of age.Print off the ON TRAC Transition Timeline for your fridge or desk – start the conversations early.
• For youth with special needs, download the BC Ministries Timeline onto your phone, computer, and/or print a copy.
  
• Home care support and services for youth as they transition into adulthood can be provided by the government – some services require a psycho-educational assessment to determine the youth’s needs.
• Are you receiving assistance from the Ministry of Child and Family 
  
• Does your youth receive Nursing Support Services?
  
• Ask how these services may change at 19 years of age:
• Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL)
• Person with Disability (PWD) - watch this video on the process to simplify youth disability assistance.
• Start to work through 'Your Future Now - a Transition Planning Guide for Youth with Special Needs.'

• Find a summary of supports and services for people with disabilities from the BC Government.
• In BC, home care funding changes at 18-19 years of age – learn about what is available to youth after transition:
  
• People with Disabilities (PWD): must be 18 years of age (start the application at 16/in the youth's 17th year), help sheet available from Disability Alliance BC.
• Community Living BC (CLBC) website, handouts, and videos.
• Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) - download the online workbook.
• For an online step by step manual to organize individualized funding programs (including CSIL) check out the Individualized Funding Resource Centre (IFRC).
  
• For concerns about funding eligibility there are advocacy supports in BC for special populations of youth in transition.
  

• Make a list of supplies and equipment needed, including where to get them, costs, and who can help pay for them.
• If youth require equipment and assistant devices for communication and living, learn about available programs:
• BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports for People with Disabilities (BCITS)
• Assistive Technology BC
• PROPS Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program

• Make sure your youth is enrolled with the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) - enrolment is mandatory for residents of BC. They may be covered as your beneficiary if:
• They are under 18 years of age.
  
• They are age 19-24 and a full-time student.
• Learn about Fair Pharmacare to help pay for your medications.
  
• Check out this list of who and what Pharmacare covers from the Ministry of Health.
• For First Nations and Inuit youth, look into Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to see what medications and services can be covered.
  
• Review your medical, dental, and extended health care coverage - to what age, living conditions, and amount will it cover your youth?
  

• Help youth open a bank account, and apply for a credit card to develop their credit rating. Take a look at these Banking Tips from the Government of Canada.
  
• Learn about the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) to create a financial plan for the future.
• Find out whether your youth’s condition and care warrants a Disability Tax credit.
• Watch this video on the Registered Disability Saving Plan, tax credits, and federal grants for people with disabilities.

• Download the “My Voice: Planning Guide” developed by the BC Ministry of Health to help with discussions, planning and legal documentation.