A new report from Inclusion BC shows Campbell River families face long waitlists to get help for their kids.
The report, first in a series looking at the state of support services for families and children in BC, collected feedback through a series of meetings in May, 2023. Seven families and 37 community service providers participated.
In Campbell River, families are struggling to get timely access to paediatricians, childcare, daycare, and occupational therapy. Some kids don’t get any support until the year before they start kindergarten.
On the plus side, participants said local organizations are doing good work, and that virtual services are helpful for people living in more remote communities.
The report also looked at feedback from a similar conversation with families and support agencies in Gold River.
“By January 2025, we’ll have shared reports from 23 B.C. communities, with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD),” says Inclusion BC.
They say they hope the reports will:
- Serve as a catalyst for change empowering communities across B.C. to enhance local networks of support for children and youth with disabilities or support needs.
- Inform the transformation of Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) services in B.C.
