Community Transitional Care
Our specialized programs are only part of people’s recovery journeys. We help forensic clients and patients get the housing, support and treatment they need as they transition back home. To do this, we work with partner organizations across BC.
Who are transitional and supportive housing programs for?
Our community transition programs are for people who receive a conditional discharge from the BC Review Board. See more about conditional discharge.
Forensic Community Transitional Care Program
This program is for people who need high levels of support after their conditional discharge from the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.
A conditional discharge means you are well enough to leave the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, but you must take part in monitoring and ongoing treatment. You also must live where the BC Review Board decides.
We offer 41 beds divided among nine cottages and two modular homes, located near the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.
The Coast Mental Health Foundation is our partner in the Community Transitional Care Program.
Other transitional and supportive housing programs
Other programs are available for people who need less support after their conditional discharge. They range from residential addictions treatment beds to semi-independent housing beds and rent subsidies. We offer these beds in partnership with organizations across BC.
Many of our program partners work with regional health authorities and the public to provide more housing options for those who need them.
Resources for Indigenous patients and families
A dedicated Indigenous care coordinator (ICC) can support you while they are receiving services. The coordinator ensures that you have access to high quality care that is free of discrimination.
The coordinator can support you by incorporating Indigenous wellness practices as part of your treatment plan. They can also facilitate access to Indigenous specific programming that is culturally safe and relevant.
You or your loved one can request support from the coordinator at any point during your admission. You can ask any member of your health care team to submit a referral.
The Indigenous care coordinator provides:
- Holistic care planning with you and the health care team
- Support in communicating your needs to the health care team
- Indigenous wellness programming
- Individual cultural and spiritual supports
- Coordination and access to Sacred Spaces
- Client and family advocacy
- Assistance in addressing and/or reporting care that is unsafe
- Health system navigation
- Discharge planning and resource coordination
- Linkage to First Nations Health Benefits
What to expect
We believe that when people are properly supported they can manage most aspects of their lives. We focus on people’s strengths and resources rather than on symptoms and problems. You are a key member of your treatment team. Treatment is not happening to you, but with you as an active participant.
There are support staff on site at the Community Transition Care Program cottages and modular homes 24/7. Nurses are available during the day.
Staff from the forensic psychiatric clinics in Surrey and Vancouver will provide your mental health and substance use care, as well as follow-up and support.
Our care is based on research and is trauma-informed. "Trauma-informed" means that care teams make sure you feel safe, secure and supported. Trauma-informed care is especially important for forensic clients as most have encountered stigma, trauma or adverse childhood experiences.
If you need less support after your conditional discharge, you may move to a residential addiction treatment bed, semi-independent housing or subsidized accommodation. We have dedicated beds available across the province. You can only access these beds if the BC Review Board has granted you a conditional discharge.
We offer these spaces in partnership with organizations throughout BC. Many of our program partners work with regional health authorities and the public to provide other housing options for those who need them. We determine which facility is best for you based on your needs and where you wish to live.
Supportive and transitional housing facilities vary with each of our partners.
Example services include:
- Assessment
- Monitoring
- Addictions treatment
- Education
- Employment support
- Life skills development
- Medication therapy
- Substance use treatment
- Outreach services
- Peer support
Counsellors, social workers, nurses, and peer support workers may be part of your care team.
Contact us
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Administration
1795 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5C 6E3
Phone: 604-829-8657
Email: bcmhsusinfo@phsa.ca