Are you looking for specific resources for your child? We hope that our Resource Directory will help you find what you are looking for. You will want to use the “Select Category” drop down menu below to narrow down your search, or you can use the Search box. Our resources are categorized by region as well (North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, and South Okanagan) so that you can find resources close to where you live.
Please note: If you encounter any listing that is out of date, we would love to know about it. Please contact us. Also if you know about a resource not yet listed in our database, you can add a listing to our directory here.
Access Resources is a Kelowna-based community support agency offering support services to developmentally disabled youth and adults. Participation is based on referrals from our funding agencies, the Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD), Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), and fee-for-service. Our highly skilled team works with community professionals, individuals, their families, and support networks to create highly individualized programming.
Central Okanagan
981 Borden Avenue Kelowna BC V1Y 6A5
The Behavioural Support Program offers services for children and youth, age six to eighteen, and for their families and/or caregivers, in Central and South Okanagan communities.
North Okanagan
Central Okanagan
513 Bernard Avenue Kelowna BC V1Y 6N9
Our Mission is to give people of all ages and challenges the opportunity to learn without boundaries, expand physical and mental abilities, and improve quality of life through the healing power of animals, recreation, fitness and the serenity of nature.
Therapeutic riding, also known as adaptive horse riding or equine assisted activities, is horseback riding designed to meet each student’s individual physical and emotional need. Basic equestrian skills are taught and structured to gently challenge the students through exercises, games and movement. The benefits are endless. Students gain more than strength and flexibility, they develop friendships, improve confidence and self-esteem.
Central Okanagan
2457 Saucier Road Kelowna BC V1W 4B8
The mission of Autism Okanagan is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families living with autism by providing information, resources, education, training, programs and activities in an autism-friendly environment throughout the Okanagan.
North Okanagan
Central Okanagan
South Okanagan
#200 2000 Spall Road Kelowna BC V1Y 9P6 Canadfa
The Achievers Program is a unique recreation and social program that provides community integration to school-aged children with disabilities. Children participate in social and recreational activities. Each child has an individual goal plan that is developed with our professional staff and parents work toward independence and a lifetime of activity and community involvement.
All participants are referred by Ministry of Children & Family Development
Please contact your local Social Worker for this program:
Kelowna BC
Claro offers a holistic program of support that includes a complete academic program (grades 4-12) through partnerships with distributed learning schools, behaviour intervention, life skills training, therapeutic recreation, and opportunities to develop social and emotional awareness.
Claro Centres Kelowna is excited to announce the expansion of their full-time day program in support of children and youth in Grades 1-12 for the upcoming 2014-2015 program year.
Claro provides academic support, behaviour intervention, social skills and life skills in a sensory sensitive environment designed to meet the needs of children and youth with exceptionalities such as autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or other neurological disabilities.
For information about the Claro Centres program visit:
http://www.clarocentres.com
Families interested in applying for their child to attend Claro can contact Jennifer Vozenilek at 778-478-9777 or email [email protected]
Claro Centres Kelowna
778-478-9777
http://www.clarocentres.com
Central Okanagan
201-1912 Enterprise Way Kelowna BC V1Y 9S9
Community Living BC (CLBC), a provincial crown agency mandated under the Community Living Authority Act, delivers supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities and their families in British Columbia. CLBC is working to create communities where people with developmental disabilities have more choices about how they live, work and contribute.
CLBC funds supports and services to help adults with developmental disabilities and their families achieve their goals and live the life they want. CLBC funded supports are delivered through service agencies and help eligible adults meet their disability related needs and participate in meaningful ways in the community.
CLBC funded supports can include:
Helping to find housing options that encourage independence while meeting an individuals’ unique needs
Family support
Connections with community services to support individuals, families or caregivers
Community inclusion supports that focus on employment, social and life skills
What is the Personalized Supports Initiative (PSI)?
CLBC introduced the Personalized Supports Initiative (PSI) in February 2010 to provide supports which are separate from the CLBC services for people with developmental disabilities. The PSI provides services to adults who have both significant limitations in adaptive functioning and either a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/individuals-families/support-for-adults/fasd-autism/
Types of Support
Residential
Supported Living
Shared Living
Staffed Residential
Community Inclusion
Employment
Skill Development
Community-Based
Home-Based
Respite
Direct-Funded
Contracted
Support for Individuals and Families
Psychological
Behavioural
Home-maker services
Support Coordination
http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/individuals-families/support-for-adults/types-of-support/
Youth in Transition
For youth with special needs and their families transition refers to the move from childhood to adult life. To create a smooth transition from childhood to adult life families need to begin transition planning long before a youth turns 19.
http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/individuals-families/support-for-adults/youth-in-transition/
Individualized Funding
Individualized Funding (IF) provides individuals and families with flexible, person-centred, self-directed payment options for arranging, managing, and paying for supports and services.
http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/individuals-families/support-for-adults/individualized-funding/
Central Okanagan
North Okanagan
South Okanagan
444 Ellis Street Penticton BC V2A 4M2
202-2040 Springfield Rd Kelowna BC V1Y 9N7
Cool Arts is dedicated to providing Fine Arts opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities living in the Central Okanagan.’
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves through the arts.
We offer weekend workshops every month except December & summer. Workshop instructors are either professional artists or art educators.
Central Okanagan
We are educational specialists. We are familiar with Learning Outcomes, and can recommend products for your unique learning situation.
Central Okanagan
2041 Harvey Ave Kelowna BC V1Y 6G7
We understand that our students learn best when their education is tailored to their interests, abilities, and needs. Every home-educator’s needs are different, thus we have three design options to accommodate those differences. As being a Ministry funded program, we are accountable to the Provincial Learning Outcomes (PLO’s), but we offer a flexible approach maintaining your educational philosophy while meeting the PLO’s in ways that suit your family’s method of learning..
Central Okanagan
905 Badke Road Kelowna BC V1X 5Z5
elowna Child Care Society provides a variety of information and services for families. Our trained staff are available to help you with your parenting questions and concerns. We also offer a variety of information and services for child care providers. Are you seeking childcare for your family? Use our Child Care Referral Service to assist you in finding exactly what you’re seeking in a child care provider.
Central Okanagan
4-1890 Ambrosi Road Kelowna BC V1Y 4R9
Our clinicians have supported children in residential treatment and school based settings, and have worked with children with autism spectrum disorders and other complex developmental and behavioural presentations. This includes anger management, reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression, and parent coaching with understanding. Clinicians have provided guidance specifically in the challenges of school life and how this can impact family and other relationships.
Please see our website(s) for individual biographies for each of our clinicians/therapists, as follows:
Dr. R. Marceau (Kelowna Psychologists Group)
Vince Matlo (Kelowna Professional Group)
Trixie Hennessey (Kelowna Professional Group)
Central Okanagan
#1510 – 1631 Dickson Avenue Kelowna BC V1Y 0B5 Canada
Kleos Open Learning is a leader in personalized learning and special education. We develop personalized learning programs for students in grades K-12. We assess a student’s learning style, and then create a customized learning program to address his or her unique needs and interests. We believe each student is one-of-a kind, not one of many. This core belief shapes our learning community and philosophy of education.
Central Okanagan
203-251 Lawrence Ave Kelowna BC V1Y 6L2
Living Positive Resource Centre is a non-profit organization in Kelowna, BC, which provides support and advocacy services to people in need within the Central Okanagan.
Having started out as an AIDS service organization in 1992, we have since expanded our mandate to serve anybody experiencing issues relating to housing, income, nutrition, access to health care including addictions and mental health services, connections with natural support systems, and other determinants of health.
Come visit our Asher Rd. location, grab some coffee, and see what we can do for you!
Our Core Values: Respect, Compassion, Confidentiality, Integrity, Empowerment, Diversity, and Partnerships
Our Vision: A vibrant community of persons from diverse backgrounds, in which all are empowered to live well and to their full potential, with no new occurrences of HIV, hepatitis C, or other blood-borne infections.
Our Mission: To provide prevention, education, and support services, with a focus on wellness, to anyone living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, hepatitis C, or other blood-borne infections.
Central Okanagan
168 Asher Road Kelowna BC V1X 3H6
Mind Over Learning is a Kelowna-based tutoring centre providing one-on-one tutoring support for students of all ages and grade levels struggling with reading, writing, comprehension and math. Our programs are individually tailored to meet the personal needs of each child including learning differences, difficulties, or disabilities.
Central Okanagan
#6-1925 Kirschner Rd Kelowna BC V1Y 4N7
The At Home Program assists parents with some of the extraordinary costs of caring for a child with severe disabilities at home through a range of health supports and services. It provides assistance in two main areas:
Eligibility
The At Home Program is for children and youth with severe disabilities who are:
Children may be eligible for both Respite Benefits and Medical Benefits, or a choice of one benefit.
Children with palliative conditions are eligible for both At Home Program Respite Benefits and Medical Benefits without an eligibility assessment.
Children receiving direct nursing care through Nursing Support Services are eligible for At Home Program Medical Benefits without an eligibility assessment.
#107 – 1664 Richter Street Kelowna BC V1Y 8N3
School-Aged Therapy Program
The School-Aged Therapy Program provides occupational therapy and physiotherapy services to assist eligible children and youth in achieving optimal independence and meeting their educational goals.
Therapists work with family members, teachers and teaching assistants to support the student’s:
The program focuses on supporting children and youth within the school setting. Services are also provided in home and community settings.
Anyone can refer a child or youth to the School-Aged Therapy Program.
Eligibility
Children and youth who have, or are at risk for, a developmental delay or disability and display a “demonstrated need” have access to School-Aged Therapy services from school entry until school exit.
Contact Information
School-Aged Therapy services are jointly funded by boards of education and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. For more information about School-Aged Therapy services in your community, contact your local school district.
Central Okanagan
South Okanagan
North okanagan
107-1664 Richter St Kelowna BC V1Y 8N3
Learning, Working, Living.
Do you have a disability or a special learning need? Okanagan College offers courses and programs that will help you improve your academic, employment, and independent living skills in a respectful and supportive learning environment. Personal growth and social development underlie all aspects of our Adult Special Education programs.
Tuition: All ASE programs, except the SAME program, are tuition free. Some mandatory Okanagan College fees do apply such as: student activity, student association, technology, and development fees.
Financial assistance may be available. Contact the Okanagan College Financial Aid & Awards office for more information.
When: Two semesters of approximately five months are offered each year. Program offerings vary based on student demand.
Where: Courses and programs are offered in Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, and Salmon Arm.
ASE Programs
Students in Adult Special Education programs at Okanagan College are supported to reach for their best. It is the goal of the ASE Department to provide our students with the best possible opportunity to reach their full potential in society.
Adult Special Education at Okanagan College provides five Certificate Programs for students who wish to work on academic skills, independent living skills, and employment preparation skills.
Independent Living Skills Certificate Programs
Course work focuses on basic literacy and math, interpersonal and self-management skills, creativity and self-expression, and workplace awareness.
Basic Skills Certificate A (BSCA)
Basic Skills Certificate B (BSCB)
Advanced Skills Certificate (ASC)
PACE Program: Preparing for Access to Careers and Education
A one or two year career exploration/work experience program.
SAME Program: Supported Access to Modified Education
A supported inclusion program that helps qualified students access certain modified Okanagan College programs. Completion of PACE is a prerequisite.
1000 KLO Road Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
This certificate program supports students to achieve their own educational, vocational, and personal development goals. The educational focus is on developing student success skills and, if appropriate, choosing a modified and supported specialty within the SAME Program (Supported Access to Modified Education). The vocational focus is on career awareness and the development of appropriate workplace attitudes, values, and behaviours. All students benefit in a personal development sense through participation in course work which develops communication, assertiveness, stress management, and conflict resolution skills. Students will also participate in career exploration and work experience in the community. The program is offered in one or two years.
Successful completion of this program will prepare students for:
The SAME program, and inclusive, modified form of a regular Okanagan College program, or
Competitive entry-level employment, or
Supported employment
1000 KLO Road Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8