School District 59
Inclusive Education Guide

Section Eight

Provincial and Community Partners

01.

Introduction to Provincial and Community Partners

Provincial and Community Partnerships

Inclusive education in School District 59 is strengthened when schools and the district work collaboratively with community and provincial partners. These partnerships support the diverse needs of students by connecting schools with specialized expertise, resources, and services that extend beyond the classroom. By working together, educators, families, and external agencies can create coordinated, student-centered plans that promote belonging, participation, and success for all learners. This section outlines the key roles of community and provincial partners, highlights examples of effective collaboration, and provides guidance for building and maintaining strong, respectful partnerships.

 

02.

Community Partners

Community Living British Columbia – CLBC

CLBC provides support and services for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) who face significant daily living challenges.   Eligibility starts at age 19, however qualifying for their services is a process, and families are encouraged to start making sure everything is in place to apply for community support, prior to the individual’s 17th birthday.

In British Columbia, individuals can apply for support through Community Living BC (CLBC). The level of support provided is based on the individual’s assessed needs. For those with a diagnosis of a developmental disability, there are specific timelines related to assessment updates and the individual’s 19th birthday. In School District 59, we actively collaborate with high schools to ensure assessments are current and meet CLBC eligibility requirements.

In addition to receiving a monthly Person with Disabilities (PWD) benefit, individuals with a developmental disability may also qualify for a range of community-based support and services through CLBC.

The level of support available through CLBC varies depending on the individual’s diagnosis and the overall demand for services each year. For this reason, it is important to review the CLBC website (link below) well in advance of the individual’s 19th birthday to understand eligibility requirements, timelines, and application processes.

The Personal Supports Initiative (PSI) is also part of CLBC and provides support for individuals diagnosed with FASD or ASD who face challenges with daily living and life skills. Information about PSI, including qualification criteria and how to apply, is available on the CLBC website.

On the CLBC website there are documents which outline what needs to be in place and when, as well as which services may be available to individuals.

For more information, visit https://www.communitylivingbc.ca/.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Joy Kelly-Bratt – District Inclusion Helping Teacher

Child Youth and Mental Health (CYMH)

CYMH is a specialized branch within British Columbia’s health care system dedicated to promoting mental wellness and providing mental health services to children, youth, and their families. CYMH offers assessment, treatment, and support for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral challenges, mood disorders, and developmental or neurodiverse conditions.

The goal of CYMH is to help young people develop coping skills, improve emotional well-being, and support healthy development so they can thrive at home, school, and in their communities. Services may include individual or family counseling, therapy, psychiatric consultation, crisis intervention, and referrals to specialized programs.

CYMH works closely with schools by collaborating with educators, counselors, and school-based teams to provide early identification and intervention for students experiencing mental health challenges. This partnership helps ensure coordinated support both in the classroom and through community mental health services. Through workshops, consultation, and joint planning, CYMH supports schools in creating safe, inclusive environments that promote student mental wellness.

CYMH also coordinates care with pediatricians and other health professionals to tailor services to each child’s unique needs. Early intervention and family involvement are key components of CYMH’s approach to ensuring long-term positive outcomes.

For more information, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health.

For more information on intake clinics, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/mental-health-intake-clinics.

 

 

Children and Youth with Support Needs – CYSN

 CYSN is a voluntary program offered through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The local CYSN team operates out of our regional MCFD office, with the program’s head office located in Prince George, as shown below.

To qualify for CYSN services, individuals must:

  • Be residents of British Columbia,
  • Be under 19 years of age,
  • Have a diagnosis of an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or
  • Be eligible for the At Home Program.

Most services provided by CYSN are offered at no cost. Family support services may include:

  • Respite care,
  • Assistance from a Children and Youth Care Worker,
  • Social skills groups,
  • Behavioural support,
  • Residential support, and
  • Referrals to Developmental Disability Mental Health services.

A CYSN worker will assist families in planning their child’s transition from childhood through to their 19th birthday. Beginning at age 16, the worker will support future planning, which may involve:

  • Determining eligibility for adult services through Community Living BC (CLBC),
  • Assessing eligibility for adult health services,
  • Providing information and guidance on applying for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation,
  • Helping the family and youth identify their goals for the future.

School District 59 Liaison:

  • Joy Kelly-Bratt – District Inclusion Helping Teacher

Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)

MCFD is a British Columbia government agency that supports the safety, well-being, and development of children, youth, and families. MCFD often collaborates with schools, community organizations, and other government agencies to support children and families. MCFD often collaborates with schools, community organizations, and other government agencies to support children and families.

What MCFD Does:

  • Provides support and services to children, youth, and families in BC.
  • Focuses on child protection, early childhood development, youth mental health, and family support.
  • Offers programs such as foster care, adoption services, counseling, and support for children with special needs.
  • Works to ensure the safety, well-being, and healthy development of children and youth.

Who MCFD Serves:

  • Children and youth up to age 19 (sometimes older in specific programs).
  • Families needing assistance with parenting, child safety, or access to resources.

For more information, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/children-and-family-development.

 

South Peace Child Development Centre (SPCDC)

The South Peace Child Development Centre (SPCDC) is a non-profit group in Dawson Creek, BC, that helps children and families in the South Peace area, including Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and Tumbler Ridge.

Their services include:

  • Early Intervention: Helping young children develop key skills through programs like Infant Development, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech Therapy.
  • Supported Child Development: Assisting children with developmental delays or disabilities to take part in community programs like daycare and preschool.
  • Parenting Support: Offering programs to help parents build skills and connect with community resources.
  • Preschool: Providing a play-based curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten.
  • Support for Children and Youth with Diverse Needs: Running programs like Respite and Life Skills to help kids develop daily living skills and give families needed support.

School District 59 (SD59) collaborates closely with the South Peace Child Development Centre (SPCDC) to ensure a seamless transition for children with diverse learning needs into kindergarten. This partnership involves early identification and support, allowing for individualized planning and the development of strategies tailored to each child’s unique requirements. Through this collaborative approach, SD59 and SPCDC work together to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that fosters the success and well-being of all students as they embark on their educational journey.

03.

Provincial Partners

Accessible Resource Centre – British Columbia (ARC-BC)

ARC-BC is a provincial resource program funded by BC’s Ministry of Education and Child Care. It provides high-quality digital or alternate-format educational materials to students with perceptual disabilities—such as visual impairments or other access needs—helping them fully engage with the BC K-12 curriculum.

Who It Serves:

  • Students in public and Group 1 & 2 independent schools with supplementary inclusive education funding (categories A–G) gov.bc.ca.
  • School teams (e.g., teachers, admins) who access and implement alternate format resources.

What It Offers:

  • A library of accessible materials: audio, large print, Braille, e-text, tactile graphics, and more, formatted to meet individual student needs
  • Resources are aligned with BC’s K–12 curriculum and sourced provincially via ARC‑BC

How It Works:

  • Schools apply or register to become ARC‑BC users.
  • District partners help coordinate requests and distribution of materials

For more information, visit https://www.arc-bc.org/.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Richelle Greek – School Psychologist

Focused Education Resources (Focused Ed)

Focused Ed is a not-for-profit organization that supports BC’s K–12 education system by providing quality educational resources, services, and professional learning. It is funded by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care and works closely with school districts, independent schools, and educational partners.

What Focused Ed Provides:

  • Curriculum-aligned learning resources (digital and print)
  • Licensing for online learning tools and software
  • Support for learning resource evaluation and procurement
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Equity of access to resources for all schools across BC
  • Focused Education Resources ensures that schools across the province have cost-effective and equitable access to high-quality, vetted educational materials that support student learning and inclusive practices.

For more information, visit https://www.focusedresources.ca/en.

School District Liaisons:

  • Karen Fredrickson – District Resource Centre Coordinator
  • Ken McLeary – Technology Systems Manager

 

 

 

Inclusion Outreach is a provincial program which is available to families and School Districts to support individuals with complex needs and their inclusion in school communities.

Inclusion Outreach assists school teams and families in developing meaningful and inclusive programs for K-12 students with multiple and complex disabilities within BC schools. The strategies, learning modules and other resources in this website are provided to maximize student learning.

The Inclusion Outreach team builds capacity in schools by providing direct training and ongoing distance mentoring support to district partners, teachers, therapists, itinerants and educational assistants.

Link: Inclusion Outreach, https://www.inclusionoutreach.ca

The Sunny Hill Health Centre Positioning and Mobility Team provides outreach services to our community twice per year for children and youth with disabilities that benefit from specialized equipment to sit, stand or move. Direct referrals to the program from a healthcare provider are required to access this service (Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, or Physician). In collaboration with local health professionals and provincially approved vendors, services include:

  • Seating and Positioning assessments
  • New equipment trials and recommendations (wheelchairs, standing frames, seating systems, walking/gait trainers)
  • Provision of customized equipment as indicated
  • On-going consultation with local health professionals

The School District Physiotherapist contacts families directly to coordinate appointment scheduling. Referrals are required to access this service.

For more information, visit http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/sunny-hill-health-centre/our-services/positioning-mobility.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Brennan Hammer – Physiotherapist

The POPDHH team can collaborate with local educators to build capacity within schools and districts through in-person visits, professional development opportunities, eLearning, and resources. The focus of POPDHH’s consultation and service delivery style is individualized to meet the needs of the student and educational team.

Referrals and requests for POPDHH Consultation are made by the School District partner and must be approved by the Director or Principal responsible for Inclusive Education in the District.

The POPDHH team has specialized staff with training and experience to support all students who are deaf and hard of hearing regardless of their hearing levels, listening devices and communication modalities.

For more information on POPDHH, please visit https://popdhh.ca/.

School District Partner:

  • Charlea Rorison – Teacher of Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

POPARD is a program that helps students with autism succeed in school by providing expert support, training for school staff, and guidance for families.

What POPARD Does:

  • Supports K–12 students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in BC, both in public and independent schools
  • Supports school teams — including teachers, educational assistants, and administrators – through consultation, training, and professional development
  • Offers Family-School Liaison services, connecting parents with school support to help their child succeed
  • Delivers workshops and courses for both educators and families throughout the year

How It Works:

  • Schools request POPARD services through a designated District Partner or Key Contact in their district
  • Parents can also reach out directly to the Family-School Liaison for support

For more information, visit https://autismoutreach.ca/.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Kari Walker – District Inclusion Helping Teacher

POPFASD is funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Education and Childcare and is hosted by School District No. 57in Prince George. The mandate of the program is to increase educators’ capacity to meet the learning needs of students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

They share current research, ideas, strategies, training and resources in order to build capacity in school districts for students with FASD and their teachers. They also liaise with designated POPFASD school district partners, which allows them to communicate through one key individual from each district regarding in-service and support needs.

What we do

  • Provide access to resources via the website
  • Deliver online eLearning videos
  • Facilitate and present workshops as requested
  • Facilitate and present online FASD training
  • Provide supports and resources for District Partners
  • Liaise with other Ministries
  • Synthesize and share current FASD research
  • Provide consultation and support to teachers
  • Consult and liaise with the experts in the field of FASD
  • Facilitate information sharing

Program Goals

  • Provide support and training for educators of students living with FASD
  • Build district capacity to serve students in their home school districts by working with a District Partner
  • Provide online access to information, eLearning videos, resources and training
  • Synthesize and share current research and successful practices to support students with FASD
  • Share knowledge and practice
  • Liaise with school districts, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Health, and our multi-district Steering Committee

 

For more information, visit https://www.fasdoutreach.ca/.

POPEY is a British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Education and Child Care outreach program that supports early literacy development for children in kindergarten to grade 3. POPEY provides professional learning, resources, and support for teachers, district staff, administrators, and school and district teams.

Areas of Focus:

  • Early literacy (reading, writing, oral language)
  • Play-based learning
  • Social-emotional learning through literacy
  • Inclusive teaching strategies

How POPEY Helps:

  • Offers workshops and webinars across BC
  • Creates ready-to-use teaching resources
  • Builds capacity in schools through coaching and mentorship
  • Aligns with BC’s curriculum and foundational skills assessments

For more information, visit https://www.popey.ca/.

School District 59 Partners:

  • Rachel Turnbull – Speech Language Pathologist
  • Susan Lovell – District Literacy Teacher

The PRCVI supports students in British Columbia and the Yukon who are blind or visually impaired. It is funded by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care and operated by the Vancouver School Board.

What PRCVI does:

  • Provides learning materials in formats like braille, large print, tactile graphics, and digital.
  • Loans specialized equipment such as braillewriters and vision aids.
  • Offers training and support to teachers, educational assistants, and other school staff.
  • Shares resources and tools for teaching students with visual impairments.

Students are referred by their district teacher for students with visual impairments vand can access support through Grade 12.

PRCVI helps ensure students with visual impairments can access the curriculum and fully participate in school. For more information, visit https://www.prcvi.org/.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Charlea Rorison – Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments

Provincial School Outreach is a multi-disciplinary team of specialists who provide in-person and virtual support to school districts across the province, including case consultations, professional development sessions, and linking school and school district staff to regional and provincial resources and services. The PSO team includes a school psychologist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, learning services teacher and board certified behaviour analyst. Other specialist personnel may be added to the team in the future.

The program prioritizes services and support for school districts in rural and remote regions where unfilled vacancies of specialist personnel may be adversely impacting service delivery to students. However, the PSO team is always available for consultation with school and district personnel. The program is also committed to building networks across the province to enhance school-based and district-wide systems of support.

For more information, visit https://bcschooloutreach.ca/.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Kari Walker – District Inclusion Helping Teacher

SETBC provides services to support students, educators and classrooms with technology to enhance inclusion and to improve students’ access to the curriculum. 

The role of the SETBC district partner is to support schools and students who require access to specialized technology such as low vision technology, technology for learning disabilities and communication technology. 

SETBC has two intakes each year.  School districts are provided with a limited number of service requests at each intake.  When requests are approved, SETBC educators and specialists work with the students and school teams to identify the most appropriate technology solution and to provide training for its successful implementation.

Further information can be found at www.setbc.org.

School District 59 Partner:

  • Rachel Turnbull – Speech Language Pathologist
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