Parents of a child with cerebral palsy often experience a great deal of uncertainty about their child’s future. They also have significant emotional, physical and financial demands placed on them to provide for their child’s needs. Here is a list of organizations that may provide some help.
You may also wish to give us a call. We can help connect individuals and families with the resources and services they need, and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
ADVOCACY, SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
ADVOCACY, SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC – This is a non-profit organization which advocates for, and provides resources and support to, people with cerebral palsy and their families.
www.bccerebralpalsy.com
The Voice of the Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver – This is a non-profit organization which focuses on advocating on behalf of, and providing resources and support to, adults living with cerebral palsy.
http://www.vcpgv.org
United Cerebral Palsy – This is an international non-profit charitable organization, and hub for local affiliated cerebral palsy associations, that educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with cerebral palsy.
http://www.ucp.org
Inclusion BC -(formerly the BC Association for Community Living) – This is a non-profit charitable organization that advocates for the rights and opportunities of people with developmental disabilities, and serves as a hub for various resources available in British Columbia.
http://www.inclusionbc.org
Family Support Institute of BC – This is a provincial non-profit charitable society which is directed by families, and which aims to support and strengthen families faced with extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who lives with a disability. They provide workshops and up-to-date information on services, supports and current practices to assist families. Further, and perhaps most importantly, they connect families to each other.
www.familysupportbc.com
Ministry of Education: Special Education Policy – Sets out the Provincial Government’s policy as it relates to children with disabilities in the public school system.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=0859706D590E4842A1FBE045D398231C
Individual Education Plans – A Guide for Parents – This is an informative guide dealing with the development of IEPs for children with disabilities in the public school system.
http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/resources/individual-education-plans-guide-parents
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Canada is a signatory country of this convention, which sets out basic fundamental rights of persons with disabilities.
http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml
FUNDING
At Home Program – This is a government program which provides financial assistance to parents of disabled children, to help with the costs of medical supplies and equipment and respite care.
www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/at_home/
Giving In Action – This is a charitable foundation that provides grants to families who have a child with a developmental disability to assist with the costs of accessibility-related home renovations or vehicle purchases.
www.givinginaction.ca
Variety The Children’s Charity – Provides financial assistance to families of children with a disability through grants to assist with the cost of travel for medical care, mobility equipment and specialized programs for the children with special needs.
http://www.variety.bc.ca/grants.htm
Shriners Hospital for Children – This is a not-for-profit health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children with neuromuscular conditions and other special health care needs by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.
http://shriners.bc.ca/bus/index.shtml
THERAPY
BC Association for Child Development and Intervention (BCACDI) – This is a provincial association of agencies that provide child development and therapy services to children and youth with special needs and their families in British Columbia.
http://www.bcacdi.org/home
BC Centre for Ability – This government funded program provides therapy services (including occupational, physio and speech language therapy) and support programs for children with disabilities.
http://www.centreforability.bc.ca/
Infant Development Program of BC – This is a program funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development which provides services to children from birth to three years old, who are at risk for, or who already have, a delay in development. Services include in-home assessments, therapy consultation, parent workshops and support groups, and information resources. Centers are located throughout British Columbia.
www.idpofbc.ca
Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) – This is a community-based program that assists families of children with extra support needs to access inclusive child care that meets family needs.
http://www.scdp.bc.ca/
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children – Part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, this facility provides care and rehabilitation for the province’s most seriously ill or injured children, in Vancouver as well as throughout the province, through its outreach services.
http://www.bcchildrens.ca/default.htm
Research And Books
Cerebral Palsy Registry – Understanding cerebral palsy is the first step towards preventing it. The Cerebral Palsy Registry is a national database aimed at gaining a further understanding of the risk factors and causes of cerebral palsy.
NeuroDevNet – A national initiative dedicated to studying children’s brain development and helping children overcome neurodevelopmental disorders.
http://www.neurodevnet.ca/
CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research – A research and education centre focused on improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their families.
https://www.canchild.ca/en/
Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation – This is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding research and educational activities directly relevant to discovering the cause, cure and evidence-based care for those with cerebral palsy and related developmental disabilities.
www.cpirf.org/
Sunny Hill Education Resource Centre (SHERC) – Houses a unique collection of books, videos, journals, board games, curricula and various educational props and materials designed for children with disabilities.
http://www.bcchildrens.ca/
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC – Maintains a collection of books and resources that are available free of charge.
http://www.bccerebralpalsy.com/uploads/media_items/cpa-bc-lending-library-list.original.pdf