CHAPTER 42

Original (Published in "Lun's World"): 2004-09-01

Rewritten: 2025-12-23

Group home placements are extremely scarce. Before Lun could move in, the family had to pass four hurdles.

That Lun was able to enter a group home smoothly has a story behind it.

In fact, moving into a group home is not easy in itself. First, places are very limited because operating costs are high, and there has been no word of service expansion. Second, parents are reluctant to let go. They worry about entrusting the care of their precious child—who has always been inseparable from them—to others, so they delay as long as they can. Third, one must clear the government hurdle: parents must first convince the social worker that their child needs long-term care by professionals. Only after gaining approval can preparations begin. Fourth, the application process and waiting for a placement require yet another great deal of effort.

Lun was under God’s care and was very fortunate. Around the time he turned 19, his case was essentially followed by the same social worker throughout. This experienced and devoted social worker understood Lun and our family’s needs very well and had long agreed that Lun required long-term residential care, so we did not need to spend time persuading him.

In British Columbia, two departments serve people with special needs. The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) provides services for children under 19, while Community Living BC (CLBC) serves adults aged 19 and over.

Before graduating from high school, children with special needs must undergo a reassessment of cognitive ability and IQ. Only those scoring below 70 can transition to the adult system. As a result, some individuals lose services upon reaching adulthood and must reapply through other relevant departments. Five years ago, after the BC Liberal Party came to power, funding and staffing for special-needs services were significantly cut. Lun’s social worker retired early and later returned on contract to work in the adult sector.

As Lun prepared to transition to adult services, I requested that this same social worker continue to follow his case, and approval was granted. Generally speaking, applications for group home placement can only begin two months before Lun turns 19. However, after the social worker learned that I had liver cancer, he began planning ahead for Lun earlier than usual.

About two weeks after Lun’s 19th birthday, the social worker informed us that a placement was available. Group home staff visited our home, and Lun personally toured the facility. Nearly two months later, the home assessed that Lun was too young and too active, and therefore not suitable for admission.

Soon after, another group home had a vacancy. Residents there interacted more with one another, daytime activities were arranged, and funding had already been approved, allowing Lun to move in quickly.

Later, through conversations with group home staff, I learned that one resident had passed away due to illness, creating a vacancy. Another individual with special needs who was scheduled to move in also passed away from illness. The social worker contacted us immediately—such an opportunity was truly rare.

The group home is a 15-minute drive from our home. The service standard is good. It is operated by a for-profit organization that upholds a customer-first philosophy. Between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., parents may visit at any time.

That Lun was able to move smoothly into a group home amid such scarce resources makes us deeply grateful. While we give heartfelt thanks to God for His care, thinking of the many others still waiting leaves us with an overwhelming sense of helplessness.