Bridge (Building Resources & Independence while Developing Goals & Employment) is a Youth Employment Service for 17-24 year olds. Suitability for this service is determined, in partnership, with the funding partners (CLBC – Youth 19-24 years of age diagnosed with a developmental disability or GT Hiring Solutions utilizing their Customized Employment Development Funds), the potential participant, the family/caregiver and CSCL’s BRIDGE Youth Employment Service Associate Director (or designate). Youth must express an interest and be motivated in pursuing paid employment. Youth work with a Vocational Counsellor to develop their pre-employment skills. Youth will have the opportunity to complete 1-2 work experience placements and then begin to seek paid employment (with their Vocational Counsellor’s support). Once paid employment is obtained, the Vocational Counsellor will shadow and coach the Youth during their shifts (as a way of training them) and then will gradually fade out their job supports as the youth becomes more independent at their job.
For more information contact the Chilliwack Society for Community Living at 604-846-7777, natalie.karam@cscl.org.
The Community Respite Program provides parents of a child or youth with special needs with a break from the day to day demands of caring for their son/daughter. Eligibility for service and referral is completed by MCFD-CYSN. The local phone number is 604-702-2311; ask to speak with a Children & Youth with Special Needs Social Worker. Screened/approved caregivers are matched with families and provide short term respite by caring for the child/youth for a determined number of days per year. Respite can be hourly, overnight, weekends, or up to a two week period.
For more information contact the Chilliwack Society for Community Living at 604-846-7777, karen.pedersen@cscl.org.
1:1 Child/Youth Supports is a goal-oriented service that primarily focuses on and provides support in appropriate social skills, life skills, pre-employment skills or other particular skills needed for the Child/Youth. Service arrangements are flexible to reflect the needs of the Child/Youth and their family’s circumstances. Each contract will typically provide 4 hours/week of support to the Child/Youth for a period of six months to a maximum of two years. An MCFD-CYSN Social Worker (Ministry of Children & Family Development – Child & Youth with Special Needs) will determine eligibility for the service and will complete the referral process.
For more information contact the Chilliwack Society for Community Living at 604-846-7777, or email aileen.mathews@cscl.org.
Small Groups provides Youth with goal-oriented supports in appropriate social skills, life skills and pre-employment skills. This service assists youth as they transition into adulthood. An MCFD-CYSN Social Worker (Ministry of Children and Family Development – Child & Youth with Special Needs) completes eligibility for this service and will complete referral process.
For more information contact the Chilliwack Society for Community Living at 604-846-7777, or email aileen.mathews@cscl.org.
The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) funds a range of programs and services for children and youth with special needs and their families. Services and supports are intended to promote children’s healthy development, maximize quality of life, assist families in their role as primary caregivers and support full participation in community life.
MCFD works in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Education, and regional and community agencies throughout the province, to plan and coordinate services. Our goal is to deliver accessible high-quality intervention and support services for children and youth with special needs and their families through an integrated service delivery approach.
See the CYSN Links page for contact information on community resources.
Contact information:
604-702-2311
Mon to Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm
8978 School Street Chilliwack V2P 4L4
Recreation, Education and Life skills for “high risk” youth ages 12 to 18 who may or may not be involved with the judicial system. Interactive, individualized education program in partnership with Chilliwack Community Services, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and School District #33. Must be referred by MCFD.
For more information contact Stacey Moore at 8937 School Street, 604-792-6632.
SASS (Specialized Autism Support Services) is a Fee for Service program that allows families to utilize their Autism Funding (AFU Funds) to pay for 1:1 supports or small group supports for their Child/Youth with Autism. This service is a goal-oriented service; however, it is only available to families that receive the annual Autism Funding from the Ministry of Children & Family Development. Families utilizing this service, sign an annual contract with CSCL for the service. Once the contract is signed, a Support Staff will be recruited/assigned to work with the Child/Youth to achieve the goals that were outlined by the families.
For more information contact the Chilliwack Society for Community Living (CSCL) at 604-846-7777, natalie.karam@cscl.org.
Teen Clubs promote and facilitate growth and independence within the home and community by teaching social, vocational and personal life skills to Youth within a peer group setting. This service is offered to Youth with special needs aged 13 through 18 years of age. An MCFD-CYSN Social Worker (Ministry of Children and Family Development – Child & Youth with Special Needs) completes eligibility for this service and will complete the referral process. Once referred, Youth and their families are able to select their preference of Teen Clubs each semester. There are three annual semesters that run from January to June, July to August, and September to December.
Teen Clubs vary by semester but can include: Glee Club (Singing Program), Girls ONLY (Lifeskills Program), Culinary Crew & Breakfast Club (Cooking Programs), Health, Fitness & Wellness (Sports and Nutrition Program), REC Club (Recreation, Exercise & Comradery). Other seasonal offerings may include Snapshot Club (Photography Program), Film Club (Movie Making Program), Great Outdoor Eco-Warriors Club (Outdoor Program), etc. Registration and activity fees apply.
For more information contact the Chilliwack Society for Community Living at 604-846-7777 or aileen.mathews@cscl.org.
