Trans Care BC works with its partners to set direction and provide leadership for trans health services across B.C., to ensure Two-Spirit, trans and gender diverse people of all ages get the care they need when and where they need it.
Two-Spirit, trans and gender diverse people of all ages with diverse lived experiences guide our work. Our services support those who identify as Two-Spirit, trans and gender diverse, their families, friends and loves ones as well as service providers. We work to help people find the information they need to access gender-affirming health care and supports.
We believe in building and maintaining good relations with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and programs. Our approach is guided by regional and national Calls to Action and Recommendations and supports person-centered and culturally safer care and practices.
Our services
We provide information, resources and pathways to care related to trans health and wellness. We provide support to health-care professionals in the form of clinical tools and resources and education.
Our Health Navigation Team
Trans Care BC's health navigation team helps Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people located in British Columbia identify health-care system pathways, get information and find services, resources and supports related to trans health.
The team includes health navigators and administrative support staff. The team works alongside service providers, other agencies in the health-care system and community contacts from across the province to help people find care and support close to home, wherever possible.
We do not provide direct clinical care, care management or counselling services but are happy to provide information about how to access services in your area that we are aware of. The health navigation team is not aware of all care options in the province and we welcome you to share resources you have found helpful to help improve our ability to support others.
Our services are free of charge.
Our team assists the following individuals, partners and professionals seeking support, information and care.
Adults seeking gender-affirming care
Our team can:
- direct you to information related to gender-affirming health and wellness related questions;
- discuss options for gender exploration and gender transition;
- discuss options and pathways for accessing care;
- discuss how you can find gender-affirming primary care provider in your area;
- identify counselling options that may be suitable for your needs; and
- identify peer support groups.
Youth, young adults or family members of youth seeking gender-affirming care
Our team can:
- direct you to information related to gender-affirming health and wellness related questions;
- discuss options for gender exploration and gender transition;
- discuss options and pathways for accessing care;
- discuss relevant services and care providers and how to get connected to them;
- direct you to resources and tools that are useful for helping make spaces such as schools, sports teams and day cares more gender-affirming and inclusive; and
- direct you to information about resources and supports for you or your parent/caregiver/family, such as peer support groups.
Parents of gender creative children
Our team can:
- direct you to helpful resources, including recommended reading and online resources;
- discuss parent peer support groups, networks and social opportunities for gender creative kids and families around the province;
- direct you to resources and tools that are useful for helping make spaces such as schools, sports teams and day cares more gender-affirming and inclusive; and
- identify counselling options that may be suitable for your needs.
Health-care providers
Our team can:
- direct you to clinical consultation related to the delivery of gender-affirming care;
- direct you to clinical tools, job aides, resources, online learning and patient handouts; and
- discuss information related to trans health or wellness related questions.
Family members, caregivers, partners, teachers or friends
Our team can:
- direct you to information related to trans health or wellness related questions;
- direct you to recommend reading and online resources and websites; and
- direct you to resources and tools that are useful for making spaces such as schools, sports teams and day cares more gender-affirming and inclusive.
People contact our program for many reasons. We always try to respond to the unique needs of each person and direct them to appropriate services, where available.
If you are seeking gender-affirming primary care, wanting to start hormones or needing support navigating your gender-affirming care, we suggest reading the following online navigation resources:
Our main office is located in Vancouver but our information and consultation services are accessible to all residents of British Columbia by email and phone. You can reach us through our online form, phone or email:
The Trans Care BC vision is a British Columbia where people of all genders are able to access gender-affirming health care, and live, work and thrive in their communities.
- gender-affirming care inclusive of non-binary identities
- accountable and transparent
- anti-oppressive, trauma-informed
- collaborative
- person-centred care
- equitable and accessible
Trans Care BC is working closely with partners and stakeholders – including the Ministry of Health, transgender communities, individuals, non-profits, regional health authorities and the First Nations Health Authority to develop a comprehensive provincial network of services.
We are expanding and sustaining health care services by:
- Developing gender-affirming, client-centred models of care.
- Working on equitable access to gender-affirming and supportive health care for children, youth and families.
- Supporting access to reliable information, resources and peer support for trans, gender diverse and Two-Spirit people, their families, friends and health service providers.
- Offering advanced practice training and follow up support for clinicians around B.C.
Trans Care BC is aligned with international standards of care, and supports the use and distribution of evidence-based information. We aim to improve care across the continuum and share best practices.
Using a hub and spoke model of distributed care, including health care provider education as well as novel approaches such as using health navigators, the program will bring health care closer to home for trans and gender diverse people in British Columbia.
This model allows us to leverage expertise and coordination centrally, but also work to expand primary care and peer support throughout the province.
Our approach is to:
- earn and build trust with trans communities, trans individuals, gender creative children and their families as well as with health care partners across B.C. through engagement and collaboration.
- take a person-centred approach and work with each individual to achieve their personal health care goals.
- respect diverse cultures, including the unique perspectives and needs of Two-Spirit people.
In October 2014, the Minister of Health announced that the Ministry of Health, PHSA and Vancouver Coastal Health would be working together to offer expanded and sustainable health services to support transgender communities across the province.
The trans health steering committee met from December 2014 to May 2015 and developed a provincial network model for person and family-centred health care services for transgender British Columbians.
The committee included trans individuals and family representatives, and consulted with people from transgender communities, clinical experts, and other stakeholders about how best to create and expand services.
PHSA became responsible for the provincial coordination of transgender health services in BC, including the Transgender Health Information Program, in fall 2015. Since then, PHSA’s Trans Care BC program has been under development.
