Beginning Feb. 1, 2010, more adults with complex needs can apply for and receive Community Living BC (CLBC) services through a three-year provincial investment of $23.2 million.
 
 The Personalized Supports Initiative focuses on adults who have both significant limitations in adaptive functioning and a confirmed diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder. These adults often
require a variety of individualized supports, such as basic skills training and daily living support, to help them live independently in their community.
 The Province is providing $2.6 million for the last two months of fiscal 2009-10, and $10.3 million for each of the next two fiscal years for services under the initiative, which will augment existing supports for individuals or connect them to supports in the community that will address their needs. An estimated 170 people a year will receive a variety of services targeted to their needs through this funding. 
 
Personalized supports may include social, employment, financial, respite and living supports. For example, a person with FASD may require help with meal planning and daily scheduling to successfully live independently. A person with autism may receive support for life skills development and support to find and maintain employment.
 
The initiative creates a new group of clients who are assessed and funded separately from the current client base of more than 12,000 adults with developmental disabilities.
 Youth may apply for services under the Personalized Supports Initiative when they are over the age of 16 to receive supports when they become 19 years of age. 
For more information on the initiative and how to apply, please visit:
http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/what_we_do/personalized_supports_initiat...