New MCFD Framework for Children with Support Needs

Individualized funding for autism to be phased out by 2025 and replaced with community service hubs.

On October 27, 2021, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) announced the end of individualized funding, effective 2025. This will affect the Autism Funding Programs and school-age extended therapy benefits. See the original media release.

Many families across disabilities are highly critical of MCFD’s new Framework for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) policy. Despite three years of work – it is confusingly vague. However, there is time to develop a community response to this initiative. ACT is working with our community partners across disabilities to develop a cross sector response. We will be posting information on this page as it becomes available.

Community Initiatives & Events

There are a number of initiatives and events being organized. Check ACT’s Facebook for the latest updates.

Sign the Petition

The “Consultation Before Change” petition supporting individualized funding has now reached over 23,000. 
Add your signature here.

Facebook Advocacy Groups

Upcoming Rallies

Past Rallies

  • Wednesday, February 9, 2022
    Rally at the BC Legislature in Victoria to demand community consultation and reconsideration of the CYSN framework.
    [Register via Eventbrite]
  • Friday, December 3, 2021
    Rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street)
    Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
    [No registration]
  • Thursday, November 252021
    Rally at the BC Legislature in Victoria to enable those with disabilities to thrive across government funded systems.
    Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
    [Register with BCEd Access]
  • Wednesday, November 242021
    Rally at the BC Legislature in Victoria in support of Individualized Funding
    Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
    [Register with Autism Support Network]

Other Initiatives:

  • November 26 to December 2, 2021
    Daily Lunch Hour Teach-ins
    12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
    Live discussions with organizations and families sharing how the barriers to access to equitable education intersect with all the other systems. [Contact BCED Access: [email protected]]

Community Response

Advocacy Tips from ACT

Advice on how to advocate on a system-wide basis so that all citizens across disabilities receive the support they need.

Translated Advocacy Tips

ACT has partnered with supporters to translate our advocacy tips. Now available in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Punjabi, Farsi, Hindi, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Community Feedback

ACT received messages and questions from nearly 500 families following the October 27 announcement.

Responses from Disability Organizations

Updates from MCFD

Announcements and resources from MCFD on the CYSN framework. ACT will continue to update this section with information as it becomes available.

MCFD Survey: “Children and Youth with Support Needs Framework Engagement”

Families, service providers, and sector partners have been invited to participate in an online survey. MCFD has stated the feedback will be considered to “refine and support the provincial rollout of the service approach”. The survey will be open from April 20, 2022, to September 9, 2022.

MCFD’s Framework Guides (Published April 20, 2022)