Extra Support Needs
The Esquimalt MFRC offers one-to-one support for Canadian Armed Forces familias with a family member with extra needs. We can work with you to:
- Navigate the complex 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 supporting aging family members or a family member with health concerns
- Prepare for a posting in or out of Greater Victoria
Quick Links
Adult Supports
| 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 |
Mental Health Supports - Children and Youth
| Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Child and Youth Mental Health | Community based Mental Health Services for children, youth and families administered through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. | 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 |
| FamilySmart | Supports young people, their families and professionals about information for mental health supports. | Visit site |
| Foundry | Offers youth ages 12-24 access to mental health, substance use support and other social services. | Visit site |
| Vancouver Island Crisis Line | 24-hour crisis line support and resources. | Visit site |
| Kids Help Phone | 24/7 national, bilingual service offering counselling, information, referrals and volunteer led phone/text/chat based support for children and youth. | Visit site |
Special Needs Supports - Children and Youth
| Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Child and Youth with Special Needs | Assistance and support for kids with special needs, from birth up to 19 years of age, and their families. | Visit site |
| Autism Information Services British Columbia | A provincial information centre for families who have children or youth with Autism. | 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. Services for children ages 0-5 years who are at risk for developmental delays. | 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 |
| 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 |
| Vancouver Island Children’s Assessment Network | Provides assessment services for children on Vancouver Island with complex developmental needs. | Visit site |
Seniors Supports
| Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Seniors First BC | Information, advocacy, understanding of rights for seniors and other issues impacting the health and wellbeing of an older adult in BC. | Visit site |
| Seniors BC | Listing of provincial supports in BC as well as information for family and caregivers. | Visit site |
| Office of the Seniors Advocate BC | Monitors seniors services and provides resources/ information for seniors living in BC. | Visit site |
| Family Caregivers of BC | Supports, information and connections for unpaid family caregivers. | Visit site |
Podcast: Navigating Systems
This episode of The Military Lifestyle podcast looks at the big hurdles that military families face when they have a family member with extra support needs. We dive into navigating the school and medical systems, how to plan and self-advocate and how to tackle this daunting challenge. Special guest: Colleen Cahoon.
Listen on:
