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Community Social Services: Weekly Bulletin July 25, 2024

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

July 11, 2024

Subscribe HERE

No Time to Wait: A review of MCFD’s child welfare workforce – Part One

Federation response to part 1 (of two) of the RCY new report

Dear subscribers,

On July 23, the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) tabled a special report on workforce capacity in the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). “No Time to Wait: A review of MCFD’s child welfare workforce – Part 1” is a companion to last week’s report, “Don’t Look Away,” which proposes significant MCFD reforms and was met with a government commitment to rethinking service delivery and systems of care; visit our website to see the Federation’s response.

“No Time to Wait” provides a detailed summary of key findings from the systemic review, with a focus on MCFD’s child welfare services directly delivered by social workers. Concerns raised include:

  • Recruitment and retention of staff, with particular attention to rural communities
  • Diversity and inclusion, with particular attention to Indigenous representation
  • Qualifications, onboarding, training and professional development
  • Standards, policies, procedures, practice guidelines and quality assurance to support good practice
  • Caseloads and workload
  • Managing leave and backfill needs
  • Availability of effective tools and resources to support good practice, including administrative/technological support and supporting family and community resources
  • Supervision, mentoring and practice support, with particular attention to support and guidance when working with Indigenous families and communities
  • Worker and workplace health and psychological safety
  • Staff/ministry organizational design, culture, and management.

The RCY will conduct ongoing engagements throughout August and September to discuss the report’s findings and recommendations further. The Federation will share information about these sessions as they are scheduled. Federation staff also plan to attend and will report back to members.

This report will be followed by a second, more fulsome review and analysis. Part 2 is scheduled to be released in late fall 2024. Please watch for more information about Part 2 later this year.

As the report notes, the findings illustrate a human resources shortfall within MCFD that is having real compounding impacts felt by children, youth, families, and staff serving them in the community. This echoes feedback heard from Federation members at recent events and meetings around the province, many of whom care deeply for their colleagues in government and worry about this systemic risk to the people they serve.

We have let Dr. Charlesworth know that she and her team have the full support of the Federation in this ongoing work and that we will do everything we can to amplify her calls to action and work with the sector to foster solutions. While the report focuses on MCFD, the issues raised are not isolated to that department, and the lack of connectivity between children’s services with other social services is another area our members have outlined as a sector challenge. Further, many of our members are facing issues with recruitment, retention, training, and workplace health and safety, and undoubtedly, the First Nations and Indigenous authorities who are assuming jurisdiction over child welfare and protection will face many of these challenges as well in the years ahead. It will take a collaborative effort from society to bring the community-based system of care for children and youth that Dr. Charlesworth is demanding, and the Federation will be there to help steward the change.

For more information or any questions/feedback, please contact Diamond Isinger, Director of Policy, at diamond@fcssbc.ca.

Resources:

Caregivers

Provincial Support Agency Caregiver Learning Network

We are excited to share that the Provincial Support Agency Caregiver Learning Network (PSACLN) has launched! The PSACLN aims to support caregivers across BC by developing accessible virtual learning opportunities for Foster Caregivers, Kinship Care Providers, and Contracted Agency Caregivers. PSACLN enhances caregiver knowledge, skills, and abilities and helps foster a healthy caregiving network. It is comprised of representatives from all caregiver support agencies across the province.

Please visit the website to learn more.

Highlights include:

  • An online catalogue of available virtual learning opportunities (existing and new)
  • Links to all support agencies in the province of BC
  • Resources shared by Coordinators/Network Facilitators throughout the province
  • A link to the Caregiver Learning Management System (CLMS)- an online system available to all caregivers in British Columbia. Caregivers can view their past workshop documents (including certificates) and register for new and upcoming workshops.

Please share this information across your network. PSACLN wants to reach as many caregivers as possible throughout British Columbia! Spread this far and wide. Their target by the end of the year is to register 1000 participants. There are currently approximately 350. Your support and collaboration are invaluable in achieving this goal. If you have questions or need additional information, please get in touch with support@psacln.ca.

CMHA

People Working Well

Workplaces that put people first

Workplace mental health has never been more important, and CMHA is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re struggling with stress or concerned about a coworker, remember, you’re not alone. Consider CMHA your trusted guide, offering help, training, and a supportive community.

CMHA is BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health!

Resources:

Reconciliation

IIO must pay $51,800 after withdrawing offer of job | Victoria Times Colonist

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia has been ordered to pay $51,800 for discriminating against an Indigenous woman, D.S., after withdrawing a job offer for an investigator position. The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal found that D.S.’s race and sex were factors in the decision. D.S. encountered issues during her polygraph tests and faced inappropriate comments from the examiner. The tribunal concluded that D.S. was seen through a stereotypical lens as a demanding and suspicious Indigenous woman, which influenced the IIO’s decision. As a result, the tribunal awarded D.S. $36,800 in lost wages and $15,000 for injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect.

Related:

Note

The articles in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

Subscribe HERE

Federation response to part 1 (of two) of the RCY new report: No Time to Wait: A review of MCFD’s child welfare workforce – Part One

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Dear Members, 

On July 23, the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) tabled a special report on workforce capacity in the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). “No Time to Wait: A review of MCFD’s child welfare workforce – Part 1“ is a companion to last week’s report, “Don’t Look Away,” which proposes significant MCFD reforms and was met with a government commitment to rethinking service delivery and systems of care; visit our website to see the Federation’s response. 

“No Time to Wait” provides a detailed summary of key findings from the systemic review, with a focus on MCFD’s child welfare services directly delivered by social workers. Concerns raised include:  

  • Recruitment and retention of staff, with particular attention to rural communities  
  • Diversity and inclusion, with particular attention to Indigenous representation 
  • Qualifications, onboarding, training and professional development  
  • Standards, policies, procedures, practice guidelines and quality assurance to support good practice  
  • Caseloads and workload  
  • Managing leave and backfill needs 
  • Availability of effective tools and resources to support good practice, including administrative/technological support and supporting family and community resources 
  • Supervision, mentoring and practice support, with particular attention to support and guidance when working with Indigenous families and communities  
  • Worker and workplace health and psychological safety  
  • Staff/ministry organizational design, culture, and management. 

 

The RCY will conduct ongoing engagements throughout August and September to discuss the report’s findings and recommendations further. The Federation will share information about these sessions as they are scheduled. Federation staff also plan to attend and will report back to members.  

This report will be followed by a second, more fulsome review and analysis. Part 2 is scheduled to be released in late fall 2024. Please watch for more information about Part 2 later this year.  

As the report notes, the findings illustrate a human resources shortfall within MCFD that is having real compounding impacts felt by children, youth, families, and staff serving them in the community. This echoes feedback heard from Federation members at recent events and meetings around the province, many of whom care deeply for their colleagues in government and worry about this systemic risk to the people they serve. 

I have let Dr. Charlesworth know that she and her team have the full support of the Federation in this ongoing work and that we will do everything we can to amplify her calls to action and work with the sector to foster solutions. While the report focuses on MCFD, the issues raised are not isolated to that department, and the lack of connectivity between children’s services with other social services is another area our members have outlined as a sector challenge. Further, many of our members are facing issues with recruitment, retention, training, and workplace health and safety, and undoubtedly, the First Nations and Indigenous authorities who are assuming jurisdiction over child welfare and protection will face many of these challenges as well in the years ahead. It will take a collaborative effort from society to bring the community-based system of care for children and youth that Dr. Charlesworth is demanding, and the Federation will be there to help steward the change.  

For more information or any questions/feedback, please contact Diamond Isinger, Director of Policy, at diamond@fcssbc.ca.

woman and baby sitting on the ground - photo by katie emsliekatie emslie

New! Caregiver Learning Network has launched

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We are excited to share that the Provincial Support Agency Caregiver Learning Network (PSACLN) has launched! The PSACLN aims to support caregivers across BC by developing accessible virtual learning opportunities for Foster Caregivers, Kinship Care Providers, and Contracted Agency Caregivers. PSACLN enhances caregiver knowledge, skills, and abilities and helps foster a healthy caregiving network. It is comprised of representatives from all caregiver support agencies across the province.
Please visit the website to learn more.
Highlights include:
  • An online catalogue of available virtual learning opportunities (existing and new)
  • Links to all support agencies in the province of BC
  • Resources shared by Coordinators/Network Facilitators throughout the province
  • A link to the Caregiver Learning Management System (CLMS)- an online system available to all caregivers in British Columbia. Caregivers can view their past workshop documents (including certificates) and register for new and upcoming workshops.
Please share this information across your network. PSACLN wants to reach as many caregivers as possible throughout British Columbia! Spread this far and wide. Their target by the end of the year is to register 1000 participants. There are currently approximately 350. Your support and collaboration are invaluable in achieving this goal. If you have questions or need additional information, please get in touch with support@psacln.ca.

Community social services: weekly bulletin July 18, 2024

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Federation response to the new RCY report: Don’t Look Away

Dear subscribers,

On July 16, the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) released Don’t Look Away – How one boy’s story has the power to shift a system of care for children and youth, which calls for collective responsibility and action in five key areas: enhancing child well-being, addressing violence, supporting families including kinship carers, enhancing accountability, and supporting jurisdiction. Links to the full report and other resources are included below.

The Federation had the privilege of attending today’s report release and having our board president, Tim Veresh, serve as one of four invited witnesses to listen to and speak about what he heard in today’s ceremony. Tim reflected on the call to action and title of the report – “Don’t Look Away” – and asked all in the room to ensure they carry this call with them every day moving forward.

We support the recommendations and thank Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, RCY researchers and staff, Indigenous leaders, and a committed group of advisors for amplifying the voices of children, youth, and their families who deserve better. Many of the calls to action echo feedback given by Federation members over many years. We look forward to diving deeper into the report and the stories, experiences, and research shared within it.

MCFD Minister Grace Lore received the report on behalf of the Government of British Columbia and committed to implementing its calls to action with her government colleagues, including a new multi-departmental team to work on implementation.

The Federation calls on the government to ensure that the “cross-ministry group of senior officials” invites social service partners, Indigenous nations, and others from communities across BC to the table for mutually respectful collaboration in “the development of a new direction” and to “map out new strategies”. We are altogether better, and the provincial government alone cannot solve the systemic issues raised by the RCY. With a provincial election ahead, we hope that the next government – re-elected or newly elected – will bring a commitment to doing this work together with us.

The government has also notably committed to “exploring the reconfiguration of child and family services across ministries, including for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) and Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH)”, an issue that the Federation expects to closely follow and engage on in the months ahead, given our members’ ongoing concerns about implementing CYSN and CYMH transformations within MCFD.

This work is just beginning. It will require new approaches to doing good work. It will include difficult conversations. The Federation is committed to being part of this important work and ensuring our members are updated regularly via emails like this one and at in-person events. We will not look away. To this end, today’s publication will be followed by another report expected next Tuesday, July 23, from the RCY about the Ministry of Children and Family Development staffing and workloads, an interconnected issue to child well-being, which we will monitor and react to. We will share updates as they happen and ensure these topics are included in Federation events and meetings.

Resources:

News coverage:

*The interview with Kishone Roy, executive director of the Federation, starts at 28:09. However, we highly recommend watching the entire show as it offers many different and important perspectives.

For more information or any questions/feedback, please contact Diamond Isinger, Director of Policy, at diamond@fcssbc.ca.

We look forward to more of this work together with you, our colleagues, and the community social services sector across British Columbia.

Note

The articles in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

Subscribe HERE

Federation Response to New RCY Report, Don’t Look Away

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Dear Members,

Today, Tuesday, July 16, the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) released Don’t Look Away – How one boy’s story has the power to shift a system of care for children and youth, which calls for collective responsibility and action in five key areas: enhancing child well-being, addressing violence, supporting families including kinship carers, enhancing accountability, and supporting jurisdiction. Links to the full report and other resources are included below.

The Federation had the privilege of attending today’s report release and having our board president Tim Veresh serve as one of four invited witnesses to listen to and speak about what he heard in today’s ceremony. Tim reflected on the call to action and title of the report – “Don’t Look Away” – and asked all in the room to ensure they carry this call with them every day moving forward.

We support the recommendations and thank Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, RCY researchers and staff, Indigenous leaders, and a committed group of advisors for amplifying the voices of children, youth, and their families who deserve better. Many of the calls to action echo feedback given by Federation members over many years. We look forward to diving deeper into the report and the stories, experiences, and research shared within it.

MCFD Minister Grace Lore received the report on behalf of the Government of British Columbia and committed to implementing its calls to action with her government colleagues, including a new multi-departmental team to work on implementation.

The Federation calls on government to ensure that the “cross-ministry group of senior officials” invites social service partners, Indigenous nations, and others from communities across BC to the table for mutually respectful collaboration in “the development of a new direction” and to “map out new strategies”. We are altogether better, and the provincial government alone cannot solve the systemic issues raised by the RCY. With a provincial election ahead, we hope that the next government – re-elected or newly elected – will bring a commitment to doing this work together with us.

Government has also notably committed to “exploring the reconfiguration of child and family services across ministries including for Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) and Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH)”, an issue that the Federation expects to closely follow and engage on in the months ahead given our members’ ongoing concerns about implementation of CYSN and CYMH transformations within MCFD.

This work is just beginning. It will require new approaches to doing good work. It will include difficult conversations. The Federation is committed to being part of this important work and ensuring our members are updated regularly, via emails like this one and at in person events. We will not look away.

To this end, today’s publication will be followed by another report expected next Tuesday, July 23, from the RCY about Ministry of Children and Family Development staffing and workloads, an interconnected issue to child well-being, which we will monitor and react to. We will share updates as they happen and ensure these topics are included in Federation events and meetings.

RCY Full Report, Summary Report, and News Release

Government of BC News Release: Province takes new direction for vulnerable children, families

Response from the First Nations Leadership Council

News Coverage

Horrific death of B.C. ‘miracle baby’ renews calls for change | Vancouver Sun

After Indigenous child’s death, B.C.’s youth watchdog wants wellbeing plan – Fernie BC News (thefreepress.ca)

BC’s ‘massive error’ part of web of inaction that could have saved boy’s life | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan’s News Source (infotel.ca)

B.C. boy’s story of torture, neglect has power to inspire system reform: report (msn.com)

 

For more information or any questions/feedback, please contact Diamond Isinger, Director of Policy, at diamond@fcssbc.ca

We look forward to more of this work together with you, our colleagues, and the community social services sector across British Columbia

Kishone Roy
Executive Director
The Federation of Community Social Services of BC

two men playing chess - photo by vlad sarguvlad sargu

Community social services: weekly bulletin July 11, 2024

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

July 11, 2024

Subscribe HERE

Table of contents

  • Communities & families
  • Reconciliation book club
  • Health & mental health
  • Training opportunities
  • Reconciliation
  • Save the date!
  • Children & youth
  • Career opportunities
  • Toxic drugs
  • S2PM
  • Homelessness & housing
  • Good news

Communities & families

Richmond long-term care home reaches milestone | BC Gov News

The Government of Richmond has posted a request for proposals (RFP) for a construction manager for the new Richmond Lions Manor-Fentiman campus of care. The campus of care will provide 144 long-term care beds, 14 hospice beds, and various support services. The construction manager is expected to be chosen by fall 2024, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026. The capital cost of the project is estimated to be $177.7 million and will be fully funded by the Province. Vancouver Coastal Health will build, own, and operate the new facility. The project aims to ensure seniors have access to a continuum of services, including a place to age with dignity and comfort. Additionally, the government has invested approximately $2 billion to expand and improve quality care for seniors in British Columbia over the past five years.

Resources:

Reconciliation book club

Telling Truth: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada

The Federation’s Reconciliation Book Club, designed to be inclusive and accessible for all staff in member organizations, is a key resource for increasing knowledge of reconciliation issues. Book Club members meet regularly to discuss a new book, and Federation staff ensure that the discussions are enriched with supplementary materials, including discussion questions, additional readings, and author and publisher information.

We invite you to join us for the next meeting of the Reconciliation Book Club on August 28, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Telling Truth: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada” by Michelle Good. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/

Health & mental health

Merritt, B.C., mayor says he’ll bill province over ER closures | CBC News

The mayor of Merritt, B.C., is frustrated by the frequent closures of the Nicola Valley Hospital’s emergency room (ER) due to staffing shortages. He plans to bill the province for the costs incurred by the municipality and fire department during these closures. Several hospitals in rural BC experienced temporary closures over the weekend due to similar issues. The mayor is calling for more support and resources for rural communities, as the persistent shortages are putting significant strain on local healthcare services.

Related:

Training opportunities

Reconciliation

Cost of Canada’s Indigenous child-welfare deal $48B: source | CTV News

The head of the Assembly of First Nations has informed chiefs of a draft deal with Ottawa on child welfare reforms worth $47.8 billion, more than double the initial promise. The closed-door session at the AFN’s annual general assembly revealed the proposed deal, leading to concerns about the secrecy of the agreement. The federal government had originally promised $20 billion for long-term reforms to the child welfare system, but the proposed deal now tops that amount. The negotiations are still ongoing, and a vote on the matter is scheduled for later this year.

Related:

Save the date!

Social Policy Forum 2025

Our 2025 Social Policy Forum will occur on February 12, 13 and 14. We are excited to host this event again at the Laurel Point Inn, Victoria. The Social Policy Forum is an opportunity for members, sector partners, and government colleagues to connect and explore the pressing social policy issues our organizations – and, more importantly, our communities – face today. Participants will learn more, discuss the impacts and consequences of social policy, and explore approaches that will move us forward in finding solutions and better ways to support our most vulnerable citizens. Please watch for more information, including hotel booking details.

Children & youth

B.C. inquest into death of Cree teen concludes | CTV News

The review after the death of a Cree teen at a group home in Abbotsford, B.C., found a failure to document suicide assessments and significant delays in writing a treatment plan. Despite addressing the concerning behaviours, important documentation was missing from the treatment plan. Changes have been made since the teen’s death, including ongoing training for workers and the introduction of a more standardized form for suicide risk assessment. Additionally, a new short-term stabilization program is being piloted in B.C. next year to provide support for youth with complex needs. The importance of a child’s need to belong to their family, community, and culture was emphasized, with the recognition that 70% of children in care in B.C. are Indigenous. The coroner’s jury can make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future, but they cannot make findings of fault.

Related:

Career opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members recruit and retain skilled staff. Click here to check the current opportunities.

Toxic drugs

Fraser Health offers free drug testing at FVDED in the Park | Global News

Fraser Health is offering free drug testing at the FVDED in the Park music festival in Surrey to keep people safe. The service helps check drugs for fentanyl and other substances and is available at a tent outside the festival. The goal is to provide information to help people make informed choices due to the highly toxic unregulated market of substances. The festival has sold out its two-day event, featuring international artists like Swedish House Mafia, DEADMAU5, and Kaskade. Drug testing facilities are also available at other locations, such as Safepoint in Surrey, Purpose Society in New Westminster, and RainCity Housing in Coquitlam.

Related:

S2PM

Support to practice management | The Federation

Building on the learning and feedback through delivering Support to Practice Supervision (S2PS) to over 16 cohorts, the Federation, through facilitators Chris Burt and Gord Cote, is now offering the next iteration of management practice workshops. Support to Practice Management (S2PM) is for new or mid-level managers. The selected content is designed to provide participants with a roadmap for navigating the complexities of organizations while building practical skills for enhancing the capacity of their organizations’ workforce. Specific content includes management theory and models, the context for administrative supervision, the influence of organizational culture, leadership, the value of coaching, and working through conflict.

Homelessness & housing

Affordable homes, health, social services coming to Downtown Eastside | Nation Talk

Plans for a community building in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver are moving forward, with an expanded development that includes supportive and affordable housing connected to health and social services. The project, located at 301 E Hastings St., will provide housing for up to 200 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and will offer community health services on the first floor. The partnership between various ministries and organizations aims to address the housing and health needs of the DTES community. The Government is making a significant housing investment to deliver more homes for people in B.C., including supportive housing units. The redevelopment project aligns to ensure dignified housing options for people living in the DTES and throughout the province.

Related:

Good news

If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them our way to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

Note

The articles in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

Subscribe HERE

baby hands at human palm - photo by liv bruceliv bruce

Community social services: weekly bulletin July 4, 2024

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

July 4, 2024

Subscribe HERE

Table of contents

  • Communities & families
  • Reconciliation book club
  • Toxic drugs
  • Training opportunities
  • Children & youth
  • Homelessness & housing
  • Career opportunities
  • Health & mental health
  • Reconciliation
  • Good news

Communities & families

Surrey Family Preservation Program | The Children’s Foundation

Offers an intensive, 90-day, in-home family preservation service as an alternative to removing children from their families. Counselling, parenting, and life skills are taught, and families are linked to community resources that can assist them in sustaining the positive changes they make. Serves families with children ages 18 and under. Referral through Ministry of Children and Family Development child protection workers in Surrey.

Resources:

Reconciliation book club

Telling Truth: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada

The Federation’s Reconciliation Book Club, designed to be inclusive and accessible for all staff in member organizations, is a key resource for increasing knowledge of reconciliation issues. Book Club members meet regularly to discuss a new book, and Federation staff ensure that the discussions are enriched with supplementary materials, including discussion questions, additional readings, and author and publisher information.

We invite you to join us for the next meeting of the Reconciliation Book Club on August 28, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Telling Truth: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada” by Michelle Good. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/

Toxic drugs

Sixteen-year-old girl dies after fentanyl overdose in Prince George, B.C.: RCMP | Kelowna Daily Courier

A 16-year-old girl in Prince George, B.C., tragically died after a fentanyl overdose. The police suspect that a fentanyl trafficker targeted her. The RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit is investigating and treating the case as a top priority. This incident underscores the urgent need for public awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. The girl was found unconscious at a home and had high levels of fentanyl in her blood. Police executed a search warrant at the house to determine the circumstances of the overdose and possible criminal activity.

Related:

Training opportunities

Children & youth

Kids, people with disabilities added to Canada’s dental plan | The Free Press

The Government of Canada expanded its dental-care program to include uninsured low- and middle-income children under 18 and people who receive a disability tax credit. However, the eligibility criteria and the incremental rollout of the program have faced criticism. The program has also been compared to a new disability benefit that was found to be underwhelming. The program’s reliance on the disability tax credit certificate has been a point of contention, and concerns have been raised about its coordination with existing provincial dental coverage. Despite the criticisms, the government is optimistic about the long-term impact of the program and has emphasized its commitment to providing oral health care for Canadians in need.

Related:

Homelessness & housing

B.C. weather: Floods affect at least 20 homes in Interior | CTV News

Flash flooding in the British Columbia Interior affected at least 20 homes, with no reported injuries or damage to critical infrastructure. The Trans-Canada Highway near Kamloops was closed due to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding but has since been reopened with speed reductions in place for repairs. The Interior Health Authority advised residents to avoid floodwaters due to potential contamination. The severe weather watch for the region remained in place through Monday, and residents were urged to subscribe to the local emergency alert notification system for updates.

Related:

Career opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members recruit and retain skilled staff. Click here to check the current opportunities.

Health & mental health

Urgent and primary care centre coming soon to Cowichan | BC Gov News

A new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) is scheduled to open in 2025 in downtown Duncan, providing improved access to team-based longitudinal and urgent primary care for the residents of Duncan and the surrounding areas. The UPCC will offer urgent and episodic primary care with extended hours, as well as longitudinal primary care services for patients. It will cater to individuals without a primary care provider and those with urgent health needs that cannot be addressed within 12 to 24 hours. The centre will be approximately 930 square meters and operated by Island Health in collaboration with various partners, including Indigenous communities/organizations. The total capital cost for the UPCC is estimated to be approximately $7 million.

Related:

Reconciliation

Ottawa launches residential school map to help in search for missing children | CBC News

The Government of Canada has launched an interactive online map showing the locations of residential schools, aiming to aid in the search for unmarked graves of children who attended these institutions. The map includes historical and contemporary aerial photos of the school locations, providing valuable information for ongoing investigations. However, the tool excludes certain institutions, such as Indian hospitals and day schools, that subjected Indigenous children to similar harm as residential schools. Despite these limitations, the map is seen as a step towards countering misinformation and supporting Indigenous communities in their research and healing process.

Related:

Good news

If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them our way to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

Note

The articles in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

Subscribe HERE