| Dear CLBC Service Providers,
Recently questions have been raised about section 5.4 in the revised Terms and Conditions for both home sharing contracts and service provider contracts. This provision states that services may only be delivered within British Columbia.
Questions have been raised whether this means CLBC eligible individuals who receive home sharing services, and other services, are able to travel for short periods outside the province.
The new Terms and Conditions provision was intended to ensure our contracts align with CLBC’s governing legislation, which states that CLBC must “provide for the delivery in British Columbia of community living support.” This is not a new direction, but a longstanding part of our legislation.
However, our practice allows for support of individuals to travel up to 30 days outside of the province, as long as appropriate notification and planning is taken with coordinating agencies (e.g. emergency contacts, travel insurance, crisis response plans.)
In light of the questions that have been raised, CLBC has suspended implementation of section 5.4, and this has been posted on our web site here.
Our practice of funding services for individuals who travel outside of the province for up to 30 days will continue. For any planned travel up to 30 days, home sharing providers should notify their coordinating agencies, or CLBC analyst if under direct contract, and ensure all planning requirements are met. Similarly, proper notification and planning must be in place for individuals receiving any CLBC services and who will be travelling for short periods out of province.
CLBC does not fund services for extended absences from B.C. beyond 30 days. Our legislation requires us to provide for the delivery of supports in B.C., and many of our requirements can only be met within the province, including monitoring of services and responding to crises. Providers must also remember that individuals might become ineligible for disability assistance (PWD) if absent from B.C. for more than 30 days.
We hope this clarifies and reassures individuals and providers who may have short-term vacation or travel plans. Please remember, however, that it is important to meet notification and planning requirements prior to travel.
If you have any questions, please contact your local CLBC analyst to discuss.
Sincerely,
Richard Hunter
Vice President, Finance and CFO
Community Living BC |
