Scholarship Fund Launched for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

VANCOUVER, Feb. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Community Living BC (CLBC) and the BC Government Employees' and Service Union (BCGEU) today launched a $100,000 scholarship fund to benefit adults with developmental disabilities being served by CLBC across the province. The fund was established as a result of bargaining negotiations between CLBC and BCGEU.

Starting today, people being served by CLBC will be eligible to apply for a scholarship to support their personal and professional development.  2014 applications will be accepted for the next 45 days and available on line at the following locations:

• BC Self Advocate Net: www.selfadvocatenet.com
• BC Government Employees Union: www.bcgeu.ca
• Community Living BC: www.communitylivingbc.ca and all CLBC offices

The fund was developed based on survey responses from self-advocates, families, service providers and CLBC staff.  Scholarship funds totalling $100,000 will be distributed over five years and allocated equally to CLBC's three regions (North/Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal/Island). A maximum contribution of $2,500/person will be established and funding priorities will focus on:

• skills training related to securing employment opportunities
• training courses being offered by accredited BC institutions
• indirect costs associated with attending post-secondary education and training
• community recreation activities that promote quality of life and new skills

The first round of successful applicants is expected to be confirmed in spring of 2014. Applications will be reviewed by a joint CLBC/BCGEU committee.

Quotes

Darryl Walker, BCGEU President:

"BCGEU represents around 400 workers at CLBC and over 4,000 community living workers supporting adults and youth with developmental disabilities and their families across the province.  The CLBC/BCGEU scholarship fund was established as a direct result from negotiations at the bargaining table. We welcome its creation, and believe that it will help empower self-advocates, families and other individuals supporting adults with developmental disabilities."

Charles Partridge, BCGEU-CLBC Bargaining Unit Chair:

"We are very excited to hear that the CLBC-BCGEU Scholarship Fund will soon begin taking applications. The fund will provide a great opportunity for CLBC-eligible individuals to access financial assistance to pursue post-secondary education, courses or other training programs. The BCGEU members working for CLBC are honoured to be able to offer this opportunity to the people we serve."

Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation:

"This is an exciting opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to apply for a scholarship to support their skills training goals for personal and professional development. It's great to see this scholarship opportunity come about through collaboration between CLBC and the BCGEU."

Doug Woollard, Interim CLBC CEO:

"I am pleased that we are able to invite the people we serve to apply to this innovative scholarship fund.  The details of the fund have been largely determined by the direct feedback we have received from the people we serve and our front-line staff across BC.  We look forward to announcing the first round of scholarships with them in the coming months."

SOURCE: B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union

Oliver Rohlfs, BCGEU Communications, [phone]
Charles Partridge, BCGEU-CLBC Bargaining Unit Chair, [phone]