The MFRC social work team offers support for Canadian Armed Forces families with a family member with extra needs. They can work with you to:
- navigate the special needs, education, mental health, and health care systems
- advocate for services
- develop a support plan for persons with complex needs
- create a family care and support plan for upcoming deployments
- find services for caregivers caring for an elderly family member or a family member with health concerns
- prepare for a posting in or out of Greater Victoria
This episode of The Military Lifestyle podcast looks at the big hurdles that military families face when it comes to navigating the school and medical systems, how to plan and self-advocate and how to tackle this daunting challenge. Special guest: Colleen Cahoon.
| Organization | Description | Website |
|---|
| Community Living BC | Supports adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Can help develop a support plan and find local resources in your community. | Visit site |
| Province of B.C. | A complete listing of all supports provided by the provincial government. | Visit site |
| BC Personal Support | Information about programs that provide equipment and assistive devices or other personal supports to persons with disabilities. | Visit site |
| Island Health | Provides a range of health care and support services to help improve the health, quality of life, and independence of people with a physical disability and let you stay in your own home for as long as possible. | Visit site |
| Victoria Disability Resource Centre | Non-profit organization that provides information on disability issues, referrals to appropriate community resources, peer support and career assistance. | Visit site |
| Organization | Description | Website |
|---|
| Child and Youth Mental Health | The Ministry of Children and Family Development provides a wide range of community-based specialized mental health services. | Visit site |
| British Columbia Psychological Association | Search practicing psychologists in the province. Please note: you need a doctor’s referral to have this cost covered by your extended health care. | Visit site |
| Vancouver Island Crisis Line | 24-hour crisis line support and resources. | Visit site |
| Kids Help Phone | A free, anonymous and confidential phone and online professional counselling service for youth available 24/7. | Visit site |
| Organization | Description | Website |
|---|
| Ministry of Children and Family Development | Assistance and support for kids with special needs, from birth up to 19 years of age, and their families. | Visit site |
| Supported Child Development | Consulting and support services to children, families and child care centres so that children with extra support needs can participate in fully inclusive child care settings. | Visit site |
| Island Health | Locate a local health care provider, hospital or community program on Vancouver Island. | Visit site |
| Early Intervention Therapy Program | Occupational, physio and speech therapy, screening, assessments, family education and support, service planning, direct therapeutic intervention, consultation, monitoring and transition planning to school. | Visit site |
| Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health | Assessment, treatment, consultation, long-term or short-term follow-up or coordination of services to infants, children and adolescents who have complex physical, intellectual, social or emotional challenges. | Visit site |
| Support Our Troops – Special Needs Grant | A military family member with special needs can access this grant to fund specialized interventions, assessments, and respite care. | Visit site |
