Appendices

Appendix 1: Information to Note

About Us

For online information about the Ministry view: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/about_us/index.htm.

Contact Information

For questions or enquiries about Ministry services phone toll-free 1 877 387-7027 if you are outside Greater Victoria. In Victoria phone 387-7027. Staff with the Client Relations Branch of the Provincial Office can provide general information regarding Ministry services, and specific enquiries are referred to program staff or regional offices. The mailing address for the Ministry of Children and Family Development is: PO Box 9770 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, B.C. V8W 9S5. For phone numbers and addresses of Ministry offices see the provincial government blue pages of a telephone book, or view the information online: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/regions/regional_offices.htm.

Helpline for Children in British Columbia

Phone 310-1234, free from anywhere in the province anytime; to use the telephone device for the deaf, dial 1 866 660-0505. The Helpline for Children provides round-the-clock access to professionals to respond to concerns that a child under the age of 19 years may be abused. Abuse can be abandonment, desertion, neglect, ill-treatment or failure to meet physical, emotional or medical needs. Calls can be anonymous — and abuse can be stopped. For online information view: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/getting_help/help.htm.

Adoption Site — for information on adopting one of B.C.'s waiting children

For information on adopting a child, phone toll-free in B.C.: 1 877 ADOPT 07 (1 877 236-7807) or phone a nearby ministry office. Hundreds of children in the permanent care of the Ministry are waiting to be adopted into permanent, loving families. Applicants do not need to be married, wealthy or own their own home to adopt a waiting child. Please phone today for information or view: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/index.htm.

Be a Foster Parent — B.C.'s foster parents make a positive difference for vulnerable children in need

For information, phone the B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations' Fosterline at 1 800 663-9999 (outside B.C. phone 1 604 660-7696) or the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents toll-free at 1 866 291-7091. For online information view: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster/.

Child Care B.C. Helpline — for information on child care

For information and referrals for B.C. child care programs and services for parents and child care providers phone 1 888-338-6622. For online information view: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/.

Autism Site — for information for parents on Autism Spectrum Disorders

For online information view: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/index.htm.

Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) Site — for information on early childhood development research

For information on the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), an interdisciplinary research partnership related to early child development view: http://www.earlylearning.ubc.ca/.

Community Living British Columbia's Website

For information on services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, phone 1 877 660-2522. For online information view: http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/.

Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms

Child and youth mental health: refers to children and youth with mental disorders that interfere significantly with daily functioning, such as: anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, any depressive disorder, substance abuse, pervasive development disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette's disorder, any eating disorder and bipolar disorder.

Child care: refers to the care and supervision of a child in a child care setting, other than: a) by the child's parent; or, b) while the child is attending an educational program provided under the School Act or the Independent School Act.

Children in care: refers to any child under 19 years of age in the care of the Director under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

Children and youth with special needs: children with special needs have significant impairments in one or more of the following areas: health, cognition, behaviour, communication, sensory motor, social/emotional/behavioural or self-help (adaptive), and require specialized supports to enhance or improve their health, development or participation in daily activities at home, school and in their communities.

Delegated Aboriginal agencies: refers to Aboriginal agencies with delegated child welfare authority under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

High-risk youth: refers to youth aged 16 to 18 who experience significant and often multiple challenges in their transition to adulthood such as: sexual exploitation, alcohol and drug misuse, living on the street, and mental health problems.

Out-of-care options: alternative care arrangements with extended family or close friends for children at risk of neglect or abuse who are temporarily unable to live with their parents.

Sexually exploited youth: refers to a person under the age of 19 who has been manipulated or forced to engage in sexual activity in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or other considerations.

Strength-based approach: approach for service planning and delivery that focuses on the substantial strengths of communities, families, youth and children — regardless of the difficulties they face — and acknowledges the ability of each to contribute to solutions to address their identified needs.

Supported child development: a range of consulting and support services that support children with special needs to participate in inclusive community child care settings, including preschool.