A Turning Point: Ending Child Admissions to Institutions –
In March 1996, British Columbia implemented a no-child-admission policy for its large residential institutions. This landmark decision meant that facilities such as Woodlands (pictured), along with other institutions across the province, could no longer accept children and youth for housing.
The policy marked a critical step in dismantling the institutional model that had dominated care for decades. It reflected a growing recognition that children with developmental disabilities belonged in families and communities, not in segregated facilities. This shift paved the way for more inclusive, community-based supports and services—aligning with the vision long championed by families and organizations like Inclusion Chilliwack Society.
While the closure of institutions would take several more years, the end of child admissions signaled the beginning of a new era—one focused on inclusion, dignity, and the right of every child to grow up in a nurturing environment.