The Community-Based Services for Children with Special Needs (CBSCSN) Program works with parents/legal guardians in providing the extra-ordinary care and support required to meet the special developmental needs of their severely disabled child.

CBSCSN is a voluntary program of social supports. Parents must demonstrate that in addition to the other community services they are presently accessing, their child still has some extra-ordinary unmet needs. The program is not insured through Medicare, so parents must be prepared to contribute financially, where possible, to the services purchased. Parents who have private health insurance are required to use these benefits first before requesting assistance from the program.

Where to apply?
The parents contact the Access and Assessment Unit of the Family and Community Social Services division in their region. If another person is referring the child to the program, they must inform the parents first to seek their consent.

Who is served in this program?
The child with special needs must be under the age of 19, with a severe developmental disability that is life long and requires an-going daily assistance with personal care and everyday life activities. This includes children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities or medically complex conditions who may or may not have behavioural and/or emotional difficulties. The child and family must be residents of New Brunswick with a valid Medicare card.

What is the process?
Following the request for service, the parents are asked to complete application forms providing information on the child's condition and extra-ordinary needs, parents' income, names of other professionals or organizations providing services to the child, and type of services requested.

When the application forms are returned to the regional office of Family and Community Social Services, the information is reviewed and further information will be required to determine admission to the program.

What types of services are available?
An individual Service Plan is developed based on the child's developmental needs and social support services. Services are provided on a yearly basis and reviewed annually to determine if the services being offered are still appropriate to the child's extra-ordinary needs. All children are assigned a social worker to help access services within the department, within other government departments and within the community. Depending on the child's special needs, extra-ordinary services or items may be purchased to assist the parents in providing the care and support the child requires. Some of these extra-ordinary services or items are relief care, medical and rehabilitation equipment, and medical transportation. The program does not cover services that require a nurse to perform the task.

As this is a voluntary program, parents are expected to actively participate in their child's service plan and comply with the program eligibility criteria.

For further information on this Program, contact the local office of the Family and Community Social Services division of the department of Family and Community Services.