Our Vision for 2015
Supporting children and families is an integral part of our community culture. Supports are well funded, readily accessible, personalized and anchored in policy and practice.
Developmental disabilities are a family affair. Having a family member with a developmental disability brings both rewards and challenges. At BCACL we work to strengthen and empower families and communities to provide supportive and welcoming environments where children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities can participate and belong.
How does BCACL support families?
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. Our federation members - including families of children and youth, adults with disabilities, and service providing organizations - bring important issues forward that determine the focus of our work. In addition, several members of our Board of Directors are family members of a person with developmental disabilities who are dedicated to raising issues of concern to families.
BCACL also supports a Family Support Network for family support workers who work in our member organizations. The Network meets regularly to share resources and information, and also provides valuable input to BCACL's Family Support Coordinator on key areas that require advocacy efforts at the provincial level.
To contact the BCACL's Family Support Coordinator, Karen De Long, email kdelong@bcacl.org or phone (604) 777-9100. For families living outside the Lower Mainland, please call our toll free number: 1-800-618-1119.