The Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) has released a powerful new report, Too Many Left Behind, highlighting the critical need for better services and support for children and youth with disabilities in British Columbia. According to Representative Jennifer Charlesworth, more than 83,000 young people in B.C. are not receiving adequate care, leaving families at breaking points as they struggle with an underfunded and fragmented system.
The report is based on extensive engagement with families, service providers, and disability organizations across the province, in addition to a survey of over 1,100 families. The findings are stark:
- Only 32% of families surveyed feel that current services fully meet their children’s needs.
- 14% of families have considered placing their child in government care as their only avenue to access necessary supports—a percentage that rises to over 16% for Indigenous families.
- 20% of families whose children are already in government care report that they made this decision to secure essential supports for their child.
“A staggering number of families are at their breaking point, living within a system that remains underfunded, fragmented and almost impossible to navigate”
Representative Jennifer Charlesworth
Charlesworth calls for an “all-of-government” approach to develop a comprehensive Child Well-Being Strategy that ensures families can stay together, equitably access vital resources, and receive timely support. This includes everything from respite care and medical equipment to in-school therapies. Despite some increases in funding over the years, the report shows that most of these resources have gone toward salaries and a narrow set of programs, leaving the vast majority of children and youth with disabilities underserved.
To read Too Many Left Behind and learn about the steps needed to improve the well-being of B.C.’s children and youth with disabilities, visit the Representative for Children and Youth website.
