BC Advocacy: Who to talk to

We all want to live good, satisfying lives in our communities. Sometimes we need extra help or support to do that. If you’re having trouble getting the support you or your family member with a developmental disability needs, here are some steps to follow that may be useful.

*updated December 13, 2011

If, following eligibility acceptance and planning with a facilitator, Community Living BC (CLBC) does not provide any support or inadequate levels of support or you feel that you have not been treated appropriately, there is an internal CLBC Complaint Resolution Process.

There are also things that you can (and we suggest you should) do while you are dealing with CLBC. We have outlined the steps below. If you have any questions about this page, please contact Jeremy Vis, BCACL Family Support Coordinator, at 604-777-9100 ext. 518 or jvis@bcacl.org.

**UPDATE: January 18, 2012: BCACL has heard from a few families who have seen an increase in supports after phoning the Ministry’s client support line. While we do not support this initiative (read our press release here) as an adequate long term response to serious problems within CLBC, we do encourage families to call the line, as it may result in improved supports. If you would like to have a representative of the Client Support Team contact you, e-mail info@communitylivingbc.ca or call toll-free 1-877-660-2522.

Step 1: Speak directly to a Manager at your local CLBC office.

The Manager of your local office is listed on the CLBC website, at this link. Just find your local area on the map. http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/your-community/local-clbc-offices/

If you call your local office you can find out the contact information for the Community Planning manager and the Quality Assurance Manager.

Quality Assurance Manager:
Phone:
Address:
Email:

Community Planning & Development Manager:
Phone:
Address:
Email:

Regional Manager:
Phone:
Address:
Email:

Step 2: Make a formal complaint.

CLBC has a Complaints Resolution Input Form which is available online. http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/ComplaintsResolutionForm.pdf

Print and submit your completed form by mailing to the address below or by faxing to CLBC Headquarters:

Address: Community Living British Columbia
Suite 700-1200 W. 73rd Ave
Vancouver BC V6P 6G5
Fax: 604-664-0765

A decision can be expected within 30 days, according to CLBC policy.

Step 3: Ask for a review by the CLBC Director of Regional Operations (DRO), Carla Thiesen.

Name: Carla Thiesen

Address: Suite 700-1200 W. 73rd Ave
Vancouver BC V6P 6G5
Phone: 604-664-0101
1-877-660-2522 toll free
Email: carla.thiesen@gov.bc.ca

Step 4: Ask for a review by the Director of Quality Assurance.

Name: Paula Grant

Address: Suite 700-1200 W. 73rd Ave
Vancouver BC V6P 6G5
Phone: 604-664-0101
1-877-660-2522 toll free
Email: paula.grant@gov.bc.ca

Step 5: Ask for a review by the Chief Executive Officer.

Name: Doug Woollard

Address: Suite 700-1200 W. 73rd Ave
Vancouver BC V6P 6G5
Phone: 604-664-0101
1-877-660-2522 toll free

Email: doug.woollard@gov.bc.ca

At any time during the CLBC process above you may and should also take the following steps.

1. Contact your MLA (find your MLA here)

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:

2. Call or email the BC Association for Community Living (BCACL)

BCACL's mission is to advocate for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families to ensure justice, rights and opportunities in all areas of their lives. You can contact BCACL if you need someone to advocate for you. Sometimes BCACL will connect you with someone in your community who can help, and other times BCACL will get involved directly with your situation. www.bcacl.org

Contacts at the BC Association for Community Living:

Faith Bodnar, Executive Director
fbodnar@bcacl.org
604-777-9100 ext. 516

Karen De Long, Director of Community Development
kdelong@bcacl.org
604-777-9100 ext. 530

Jeremy Vis, Family Support Coordinator
jvis@bcacl.org
604-777-9100 ext. 518

3. Contact the Advocate for Service Quality, Jane Holland.

Phone: 604.775.1238
Web: www.mhr.gov.bc.ca/advocate/

4. Write to the Minister responsible for Community Living BC. As of December 13, 2011, the Minister responsible for CLBC is Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Social Development.

E-mail: stephanie.cadieux.mla@leg.bc.ca
Phone: 250 356-7750
Fax: 250 356-7292

5. Write to or call the opposition critic. The BC NDP currently have a critic dedicated to Community Living BC, MLA Nicholas Simons.

Phone: 250-387-3655
Email: nicholas.simons.mla@leg.bc.ca

6. Write to the Premier, Christy Clark.

Online: http://www.christyclark.ca/premierchristyclark/contact.php
Phone: 250-387-1715
Fax: 250-387-0087

7. Go public with your story.

BCACL has been speaking with media looking for families who are having difficulty accessing vital services. If you are willing to tell your story to your local media, BCACL can help connect you.

Phone: Danielle at BCACL 604-777-9100 ext. 527.
Email: dkelliher@bcacl.org

8. Contact the Representative for Children and Youth (if your issue concerns a youth about to transition to adulthood)

The Representative for Children and Youth
Phone: 1-800-476-3933.
Web: http://www.rcybc.ca/content/home.asp

9. Contact the BC Ombudsperson

The BC Ombudsperson is:

• an officer of the provincial legislature

• independent of government and political parties

• responsible for making sure that the administrative practices and services of public agencies are fair, reasonable, appropriate and equitable

Phone: toll-free at 1-800-567-3247
Web: http://www.ombudsman.bc.ca/

10. The Family Support Institute (FSI)

Staff in the FSI office can help navigate systems and connect you to other family members who are volunteer Resource Parents for support.

Phone: 604-540-8374
1-800-441-5403 toll free
www.familysupportbc.com