Socially innovative organizations and businesses are helping brighten the lives of some B.C. residents this holiday season by providing creative, yet much needed festive services and supports.

The Ministry of Social Development has led significant consultations throughout the year. This is an essential element of delivering on the recommendations to improve supports for adults with developmental disabilities made 11 months ago.

The Ministry of Social Development is pleased to announce that Milieu Family Services and InclusionWorks! are winners of $15,000 each in investment funding for their ideas that will bring real, positive change for people with developmental disabilities in B.C.

Community Living BC (CLBC) and the BCGEU have ratified a two-year agreement under the Cooperative Gains Mandate.

The first phase of annualized earnings exemptions, which will give individuals on disability assistance the opportunity to use their earnings exemptions on an annual instead of monthly basis, will be effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Unemployed British Columbians receiving services through the Employment Program of BC (EPBC) may now be eligible for up to a maximum of $7,500 in tuition funding available to help them access skills training.

Individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and the community living sector are invited to participate in community engagement workshops to provide feedback on a proposed integrated service delivery model - an important step towards delivering on the 12-point plan for improving services for people with developmental disabilities.

A tentative agreement has been reached under the Cooperative Gains Mandate between Community Living BC (CLBC) and the BCGEU, the first at a Crown agency, Moira Stilwell, Minister of Social Development announced today.