Community-Based CYSN Services

The Ministry of Children and Family Development of the Province of British Columbia issued an Open Request for Qualifications (ORFQ) on September 28, 2026, to establish a List of Qualified Suppliers for Community-Based Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) services. This initiative targets individuals under 19 who require significant educational, health, social, or environmental supports. The scope is divided into four service streams: Behaviour Supports, Mental Health Supports, Navigation Services, and Programming and Therapies. Services are to be delivered across seven Service Delivery Areas in British Columbia, utilizing community settings such as homes, schools, and virtual environments. Planned investments to expand these services include 20 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2027/28 and 10 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2028/29. The qualification process consists of seven evaluation stages, including mandatory criteria, service stream and sub-area qualifications, general qualifications, and reference checks. Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of experience and achieve a minimum overall score of 78 to pass the second stage. Required submissions include General, Service Stream, and Sub-Area Qualification Forms, with a strict emphasis on trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and Indigenous cultural safety. Notably, an addendum specifies that submissions from U.S. suppliers will be disregarded until further notice. This ORFQ does not award a direct contract; instead, it creates a roster of qualified providers who will be eligible to receive future Opportunity Notices for specific Shared Cost Arrangements.