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VANCOUVER – To improve services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families, the Province has increased Community Living BC’s 2009/10 budget by $52 million, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development.
“By increasing CLBC’s budget, the Province continues to strengthen and enhance its services to individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Coleman. “These additional funds will ensure more individuals with developmental disabilities in B.C. receive the necessary supports and services they need to live independent and productive lives in their communities.”
The $52-million increase in government contributions is the largest increase since Community Living BC’s (CLBC) first full year of operations. Almost $40 million of this increase will provide new and expanded adult services for people meeting existing eligibility criteria. An additional $2.6 million will support the initiative to improve eligibility criteria for CLBC services. In total, government contributions to CLBC will increase by almost $180 million over the next three years.
“I am excited to see the provincial government is demonstrating its commitment to building the best system of supports for persons with disabilities and special needs,” said Brad Forster, a parent of an individual with disabilities. “The government is listening and responding to the needs of adults with developmental disabilities and their families.”
“The additional funding will allow those
people on waitlists to receive services and will go a long way to alleviating
the current crisis,” said Rory Summers, president of the British Columbia Association
of Community Living. “We are pleased that the government understands the social
and economic value of working towards building the best system of supports for
persons with disabilities and special needs.”
Community Living BC is the Crown agency responsible for providing support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in British Columbia. It has a board of self-advocates, family and community members, as well as staff located throughout the province. Ninety-three per cent of CLBC’s total budget is directed towards the purchase of programs and services for the individuals and families they support.
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For more information on Community Living BC, please visit www.communitylivingbc.ca.
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contact: |
Media Relations Ministry of Housing and Social Development 250 387-6490 |
Acting Director of Communications Community Living British Columbia 604 664-0156 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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