Crisis in community living - family stories and how you can help

Quick Links

• May 3, 2011 Hansard Transcript (scroll down to 1410)

• April 27, 2011 Hansard Transcript (scroll down to 1410)

• Sample letter to MLA

• Letter in the Times Colonist: "Government forgetting vulnerable disabled"

• BCACL report on meeting with Minister Harry Bloy

• BCACL Letter to Kevin Krueger dated Jan. 18, 2011

• Report: Reaching Out and Weighing In

• Community Living Action Group (CLAG) website

We have been hearing from:

• Families whose sons or daughters are transitioning out of high school and are being told by Community Living BC (CLBC) that there are no supports available once they turn 19. One mother works night shifts and is now unable to sleep during the day as her son needs full time care. Another mom has had to quit her job entirely and is literally facing life on the street. Another family was told their son could go to a homeless shelter.
• Families whose sons or daughters have been living in their own homes with support for years are now being told by CLBC staff that they can no longer afford to live there. One family mortgaged their family home to buy a home for their son after being encouraged to do so by the government at the time. They were promised that this was the best way to bring stability to their son’s life. Their son has high, complex needs and his supports have been drastically cut without consideration for his safety and quality if life. He and his family are once again facing a future of fear and instability.
• Families who are being told by CLBC staff that their supports are being reduced because "other families need it more." They are made to feel guilty for receiving supports that they have a right to receive.
• Families who have been forced to accept living arrangements that they don't want and who have not been included in planning.
• Some families are being directed to use their son’s and daughter’s income assistance, which is designated for basic living expenses such as food, clothing and housing, for support services.
• All families are willing to be creative and flexible, yet they are still hitting a brick wall.

These are just a few of the many stories we have heard. We thank all the families who have stepped forward, willing to tell their stories to the media, their MLA's and the Opposition. Thank you also to all the community supporters who have offered to do what they can to stop the crisis.

how you can help:

Write to your MLA. Whether your MLA is NDP or Liberal, it is important that they hear from their constituents about this important issue. If you believe families should be getting the supports they so desperately need, call or email your MLA. Here is a brief sample letter. We have also included links (to the left of this email) to more information and resources.
Find your MLA here. Please remember to let us know if you contact your MLA, by cc'ing us on the email or calling us. info@bcacl.org or 604-777-9100.

Write to the Hon. Harry Bloy, Minister of Social Development, responsible for Community Living BC.

• E-mail: harry.bloy.mla@leg.bc.ca
• Phone: 250 356-7750
• Fax: 250 356-7292

Write to or call the opposition critic for Community Living BC, MLA Nicholas Simons. Since the House began sitting, Opposition MLAs have kept up pressure in the Legislature, challenging the Minister of Social Development Harry Bloy to increase funding to Community Living BC. In order to keep up the pressure, they want to hear from families who are waiting for services, whose services have been cut back, or who have been told there are no services available to them.

You can email Nicholas Simons at nicholas.simons.mla@leg.bc.ca or call his office at 250-387-3655. You can reach him toll-free by calling Enquiry BC and asking for the Official Opposition Caucus: 1-800-663-7867

Write to the Premier, Christy Clark. Christy Clark has promised to "put families first" and was recently quoted in a press release as saying, "for a senior or someone with special needs, the security of a comfortable home and a welcoming community are key components to a healthy and happy lifestyle." The Premier needs to know that families who support family members with a disability must be included in her family agenda. You can contact Christy Clark online here: http://www.christyclark.ca/premierchristyclark/contact.php *Note that the website above may change after the byelection.
*You can phone the Premier's office at 250 387-1715 or fax to 250 387-0087

Go public with your story. BCACL has been speaking with media who want to talk to 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. Please call or email Danielle at BCACL at dkelliher@bcacl.org or 604-777-9100 ext. 527.

Tweet or Facebook your Message.  If you're on Twitter, include #bcpoli and @christyclarkbc in your tweet, or retweet BCACL's messages. Check out BCACL's Twitter page here, for up-to-date messages: http://twitter.com/#!/BCACL. If you're on Facebook, visit our page  and "like" us to see updates in your newsfeed. You can also either send us a message or post on our wall.

Thanks again for your support.