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Glossary & Commonly Used Words
Glossary
Understanding the different terms and phrases used in home sharing can be confusing. This glossary explains common terms and phrases you might come across in the home sharing community. Email: executiveassistant@homesharingbc.ca if you would like to include any additional terms.
Abuse and Neglect
Any action or inaction that harms an individual physically, emotionally, or financially. Providers must follow laws and policies to prevent and report it. In British Columbia, this includes the Adult Guardianship Act, the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, and CLBC’s policies on health and safety. Providers are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect immediately to their agency and, when appropriate, to designated authorities.
Accessibility
Designing environments, communication, and support so individuals with disabilities can fully participate in daily life.
Accreditation
Accreditation is required for coordinating agencies (i.e., service providers contracted by CLBC or MCFD) that receive $500,000 or more in annual funding from CLBC and/or MCFD. These agencies must obtain accreditation within 24 months of notification, through a pre-qualified accreditation organization (such as CARF or COA). Indigenous-serving or delegated agencies (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) are exempt, although participation is voluntary if desired.
Adaptive Equipment
Tools or devices that help individuals live more independently, such as communication boards, mobility aids, or modified utensils.
Adult Guardianship
A legal arrangement allowing another person to make decisions on behalf of an adult who cannot make decisions themselves.
Agency
An organization (also called a service provider or coordinating agency) contracted with CLBC to oversee and coordinate home sharing arrangements, helping with matching, and monitoring quality of services.
Alternative Care Plan
A backup arrangement in case the primary Home Sharing Provider is temporarily unavailable.
Annual Review
A yearly meeting to review an individual’s support plan, goals, and living arrangement with the provider, agency, and CLBC.
Assessment
A formal process to evaluate an individual’s strengths, needs, and goals. Used to guide planning and services.
Background Check
A safety screening process for Home Sharing Providers and Respite Workers, often including a criminal record check.
BC PharmaCare Plan P
A drug plan that covers medications and supplies for people receiving palliative care.
Boundaries
Clear limits that providers maintain in their relationships with individuals to ensure professionalism, respect, and safety.
Case Conference
A meeting between CLBC, the agency, providers, and sometimes families to discuss an individual’s supports, progress, or challenges.
CLBC (Community Living British Columbia)
The provincial crown corporation that funds and manages services for adults with developmental disabilities, autism, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in British Columbia. CLBC is responsible for setting service standards, approving funding, and ensuring services meet provincial policies. Unlike agencies/service providers, which directly manage contracts with Home Sharing Providers and oversee day-to-day support, CLBC acts as the government body that contracts with agencies and monitors the overall quality and availability of services across the province.
CLBC Analyst
A CLBC staff member who supports service delivery by working with agencies and providers. Analysts are often involved in contracts, funding decisions, and ensuring services meet standards. They usually work at the regional level, but their role also supports consistency across the province.
CLBC Facilitator
A CLBC staff member who works directly with individuals and families. Facilitators help people create personal plans, explore housing options, and connect with services, including home sharing. They work at the regional level and are the main point of contact for individuals and families in their local community.
Committee (Private or Public)
A person (private) or the Public Guardian and Trustee appointed by the court to manage someone’s finances and/or personal decisions if they’re not capable.
Community Inclusion Services
Supports that help individuals participate in day programs, employment, volunteering, or other community activities outside the home.
Compatibility Assessment
An evaluation of whether an individual and a potential home sharing provider are a good fit for living together, including values, routines, and supports.
Complaint Process
A formal way for individuals, families, or providers to raise concerns about services and seek resolution.
Confidential Records
Files containing sensitive information about individuals or providers that must be stored securely and shared only with permission.
Confidentiality Agreement
A document signed by providers confirming they will protect private information about individuals and families.
Conflict Resolution
A structured process to address disagreements between individuals, families, providers, or agencies.
Conflicts of Interest
Situations where personal, financial, or family interests could influence professional responsibilities in home sharing.
Consent
Permission given by an individual, or their legal representative, before sharing information or making decisions about their care.
Contract Administration
The full process of starting, managing, and closing a home sharing contract, including monitoring and reporting.
Continuity of Care
Ensuring individuals receive consistent, uninterrupted support even during staff changes, transitions, or emergencies.
Coordinating Agency
An agency that works with CLBC to manage, match, and monitor home sharing providers.
Crisis Response
Actions taken to provide immediate support and safety when urgent issues arise in a home sharing arrangement.
Critical Incident
A serious event (such as injury, abuse, or emergency) must be reported to the agency and CLBC right away.
Critical Thinking
The ability of providers to assess situations, solve problems, and make decisions in the best interest of individuals.
Cultural Competency
The ability to understand, respect, and respond to different cultural values and practices in supporting individuals.
Cultural Match
When an individual is paired with a provider who shares or respects their cultural values, traditions, and practices.
Daily Living Supports
Assistance with meals, hygiene, medication, routines, and other daily needs.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
A federal tax credit that reduces the income tax for eligible people with disabilities or their supporting family members.
Duty of Care
The legal and ethical responsibility to keep individuals safe, supported, and respected.
Emergency Planning
A plan created to ensure safety and continuity of care in the event of illness, crisis, or natural disaster affecting the provider or individual.
Empowerment
Encouraging individuals to make choices, express preferences, and lead their own lives as much as possible.
Employment Supports (PWD)
Supports such as job coaching, wage subsidies, or training offered through WorkBC or customized employment services.
Ethical Standards
Guidelines that define the professional behavior expected from providers and agencies.
Family Involvement
The participation of parents, siblings, or extended family members in planning and decision-making for the individual.
Financial Management Supports
Services that help individuals manage money, pay bills, and budget, often with oversight from agencies or family.
FIPPA
BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; it sets rules for how personal information must be handled.
Goals and Outcomes
The desired achievements identified in a person-centered plan, such as learning new skills, joining a group, or finding work.
Guardianship
A legal role where a person is appointed by the court to make decisions on behalf of an adult who cannot make certain decisions independently.
GSA (Guide to Support Allocation)
The tool CLBC uses to assess a person’s needs and determine the level of service funding.
Health and Safety Checklist
A tool used by agencies or providers to ensure that homes meet safety standards.
Home Sharing
A residential support model where an adult with a developmental disability lives in the home of a paid caregiver who provides daily support.
Home Sharing Arrangement
The living situation where a Home Sharing Provider supports an individual with a disability in their home. Arrangements can vary in structure but always focus on inclusion, safety, and quality of life.
Home Sharing Provider (HSP)
An independent contractor who opens their home to support an adult with a disability. Providers may live with the individual full-time, part-time, or in flexible arrangements depending on needs.
Housing Allowance
The portion of disability income (e.g., PWD shelter allowance) allocated for rent or housing in a home sharing arrangement.
Inclusion
A guiding principle in home sharing meaning individuals are supported to be active, valued members of their community.
Incident Report
A written record of any unusual or concerning event, such as injury, illness, or behavioral crisis.
Independent Contractor
Home Sharing Providers are considered independent contractors. This means they are not employees of CLBC or agencies but operate under a service agreement. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides guidance on how to determine whether a worker is an employee or a contractor, based on factors such as control, ownership of tools, and financial risk. Home Sharing Providers meet the criteria of contractors.
Indigenous Cultural Safety
An approach that specifically recognizes and addresses the needs, traditions, and histories of Indigenous people in support settings.
Individual (Person Served)
The adult with a disability who receives support through home sharing. Also called “person served” or “individual supported.”
Individualized Funding (IF)
A model where individuals or their families receive funding directly to arrange and manage their own services, including hiring providers.
Informed Consent
Permission given by an individual, or their legal representative, for a medical procedure or to share information with others, only after receiving clear information, understanding what it involves, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Matching Process
The steps taken to connect an individual with a Home Sharing Provider, based on compatibility, needs, and lifestyle.
Medication Management
The safe storage, documentation, and administration of medication in accordance with policies and training.
Microboard
A small non-profit society formed by the individual’s family and supporters to plan and oversee services.
Natural Supports
Relationships and networks outside of paid services, such as friends, family, and community members, who provide connection and support.
Networking
Building relationships between providers, agencies, families, and community groups to share resources and support.
Onboarding
The process of registering a new provider, completing paperwork, and setting up training and support.
Orientation
Introductory training and information given to new Home Sharing Providers before they begin supporting an individual.
Orientation Session
A group introduction for new providers to learn about policies, expectations, and the home sharing model.
Peer Support
When Home Sharing Providers connect with and support each other by sharing experiences, advice, and resources.
Person-Centered Planning
An approach that places the individual at the heart of all decisions. Plans reflect their goals, preferences, and cultural background.
Placement
The process of moving an individual into a new home sharing arrangement.
PRN Medication
Medication given “as needed,” not on a fixed schedule, usually for pain, anxiety, or sleep.
Professional Development
Ongoing training and education for Home Sharing Providers to strengthen skills and meet new standards. These standards may come from CLBC’s service standards, agency-specific requirements, and external accreditation bodies (such as CARF). They ensure providers maintain up-to-date knowledge on health and safety, inclusion, cultural competency, and quality of care.
Provider Relief
Another term for respite, describing temporary replacement support when a provider takes a break.
Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT)
A government office that may manage finances or personal decisions for adults who are incapable and have no other representative.
PWD (Persons with Disabilities Program)
A provincial program that provides monthly income, health benefits, and supports for adults with long-term disabilities.
Quality Assurance / Monitoring
The ongoing process of reviewing and supporting home sharing arrangements. Agencies/service providers are responsible for conducting regular monitoring visits, providing training, and supporting Home Sharing Providers. CLBC sets the overall service standards, reviews agency/service providers’ practices, and may conduct additional checks. Home Sharing Providers are responsible for maintaining safe, healthy homes and following policies and standards in their daily support.
Quality of Life Framework (CLBC)
A model focusing on three areas: independence, social participation, and well-being, used to guide and evaluate services.
RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan)
A long-term savings plan for people with disabilities that includes government contributions and does not affect PWD benefits.
Representation Agreement
A legal document in BC where an adult authorizes someone they trust to help make decisions about care, health, or finances.
Respite
Temporary relief for Home Sharing Providers when another approved person takes over caregiving duties.
Respite Provider
An independent contractor who provides short-term or temporary care on behalf of a Home Sharing Provider who cannot be present. A respite provider (also known as ‘ individual and family wellness support’) helps home sharing providers recharge and ensures continuity of support when needed.
Respite Worker
A person hired as an employee to provide short-term or temporary care so that Home Sharing Providers can take a break. A respite worker helps home sharing providers recharge and ensures continuity of support when needed.
Rights of Individuals
Legal and human rights guaranteed to people supported in home sharing, including dignity, choice, and privacy.
Risk Assessment
A process used by agencies or providers to identify and reduce potential risks to the health and safety of individuals in care.
Safety Plan
A written plan describing steps to reduce risks and respond to potential dangers or emergencies.
Safeguards
Policies, training, and supports that protect individuals’ safety and rights in home sharing.
Self-Determination
The right of a person to make their own choices about how they live, work, and relate to others.
Service Agreement
The contract that outlines responsibilities, payment, and expectations of care. CLBC contracts with agencies, and agencies then contract with Home Sharing Providers. Service agreements cover both service standards (such as safety, quality of care, and monitoring) and business practices (such as payment, roles, and timelines).
Supported Decision-Making
A process where individuals receive help to understand and make their own choices, rather than others making decisions for them.
Support Network
The circle of people and organizations (family, friends, providers, agencies, CLBC) that help an individual thrive.
Transition Planning
Support and steps put in place when an individual moves from one living arrangement to another, ensuring stability and safety. Transitions typically occur when a person moves from youth to adult, adult to senior, changes home sharing providers, leaves a family home, or needs a new living arrangement due to crisis, health changes, or personal choice.
Transition Services
Supports that help young people with disabilities move from youth services to adult home sharing arrangements.
TSDM (Temporary Substitute Decision Maker)
A person chosen by a health provider (e.g., doctor) to make medical decisions for someone who is temporarily incapable.
Values-Based Care
An approach where providers base their support on respect, dignity, compassion, and inclusion.
Vela Canada
An organization that supports individuals and families using Individualized Funding or Microboards.
WorkBC
A provincial employment service that helps people with disabilities find jobs, training, or self-employment support.