SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS
News, updates, and stories about social care in BC
Unveiling the latest developments in social services
December 10, 2024
Table of Contents
- Reconciliation
- Reconciliation Book Club
- Disability
- Opportunities Brought to You by the Federation
- Seniors
- 2025 Social Policy Forum
- Women
- Youth
- Transformative Reconciliation
- Children
- Good News
Reconciliation
First Nations leaders took a historic step at the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa, approving critical reforms to transform First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) and uphold Jordan’s Principle. Central to this effort is the establishment of the National Children’s Chiefs Commission (NCCC), which will provide strategic oversight and accountability, and a dedicated Negotiation Team tasked with securing equitable, needs-based funding and agreements. These reforms emphasize self-determination, cultural preservation, and regional diversity, ensuring the lived realities of First Nations children and families are prioritized. With a commitment to transparency and inclusion, these frameworks aim to dismantle systemic discrimination and create lasting, transformative change, reflecting the resilience and unity of First Nations communities.
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Reconciliation Book Club
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 December 18, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Fatty Legs (10th Anniversary Edition)” by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and Liz Amini-Holmes. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/
Disability
The BC Ombudsperson Jay Chalke has launched an investigation into the province’s handling of income and disability assistance cheque distribution amid a prolonged Canada Post strike, now in its fourth week. Approximately 40% of the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s cheques remain undelivered across the province, leaving many vulnerable individuals without funds for essential needs like food and shelter during the holiday season. Chalke criticized the ministry for lacking an effective contingency plan despite prior warnings of the postal disruption, emphasizing the reliance of some recipients on mailed cheques due to the inability to use direct deposit. With the next payment date approaching on December 18, Chalke has urged the government to implement a more robust distribution strategy to prevent further delays. Affected individuals are encouraged to contact the ministry or the Ombudsperson’s office to address their concerns.
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Opportunities Brought to You by the Federation
The Federation is dedicated to supporting our members and strengthening the broader community social services sector. We offer a range of ways to stay informed, build connections, and grow your skills.
Stay informed about the latest in the sector by exploring our calendar of training sessions, webinars, and events designed to help you succeed.
Get connected and expand your professional network through opportunities created specifically for community social services professionals.
Looking for a new career? Explore current job postings and find your next opportunity in the community social services sector.
Visit our website today to discover all the ways we can support you!
Seniors
The Alzheimer Society of BC is urging urgent support for seniors affected by the Canada Post strike, highlighting the significant challenges it poses, particularly for those in rural and remote communities. Many seniors who lack internet access or the ability to travel to urban centres rely on traditional mail for essential information and resources. CEO Jennifer Lyle emphasized that the strike leaves these individuals “in the dark,” disrupting vital connections and access to health services. To mitigate these impacts, the society, which supported over 1,300 people across 200 rural communities last year, is expanding its assistance through phone-based services.
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Register Now!
Join us in Victoria, BC, from February 12-14, 2025, for the Social Policy Forum, hosted in partnership with the Federation of Community Social Services of BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC), and Board Voice. This year’s forum will bring together members from these organizations, government officials, and sector partners to explore critical social policy topics, including decolonization and anti-racism, cybersecurity, the health of the social services sector, and advocacy strategies.
Featured speakers include Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, BC’s Representative for Children and Youth; Karla Verschoor, Executive Director of Inclusion BC; Shane Simpson, Board Chair of Community Living BC; Dr. Paul Kershaw and the Gen Squeeze team; Richard Watt from Total Support Solutions; and Suncha Satney, a Workplace Psychological Health and Safety Consultant with CSSHSA.
Early Bird registration is now open for members at $279 until January 13, 2025. Afterward, the regular fee is $329 for members and $449 for non-members. Special accommodation rates starting at $164 per night are available at the Inn at Laurel Point until January 13, 2025.
Secure your spot today to take advantage of Early Bird rates, and don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leaders in social policy and shape the future of our communities.
Register Now
For more information, contact us at info@fcssbc.ca.
Women
On December 6, 2024, UBC Okanagan held a memorial to honour the 14 women killed in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, a tragic act of femicide. The event, which included placing white roses at the Memorial Fire Bowl, featured speeches from Lesley Cormack, UBCO deputy vice-chancellor, and Bowinn Ma, BC Minister of Infrastructure, highlighting the enduring impact of gender-based violence and the need for equity in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering. Both emphasized the importance of mentorship, education, and advocacy in combating misogynistic and patriarchal systems. Laura Patterson, an Equity Diversity and Inclusion advisor at UBCO, reflected on the loss of potential leaders and urged continued efforts to dismantle societal barriers. Despite progress, challenges remain, as only 17% of UBCO’s engineering students identify as female, underscoring the importance of collective action against gender discrimination and violence.
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Youth
BC Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed former Abbotsford superintendent Kevin Godden to assist the Victoria school board in revising its safety plan after it restricted police presence in schools to emergencies, a policy criticized for increasing gang activity and failing to ensure safety. The board’s decision, based on concerns from Indigenous and racialized students and staff about police in schools, faced objections from youth counsellors and local First Nations, prompting the Education Ministry to demand a new plan in August. The board’s submitted plan was rejected following a review involving key stakeholders, as it lacked comprehensive strategies and collaboration with law enforcement and community partners. Beare warned that if a satisfactory plan isn’t developed by January 6, 2025, the school board could be replaced under the School Act.
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Transformative Reconciliation
We are thrilled to announce that applications for Cohort 5 of the Transformative Reconciliation Program are now open to Federation members and waitlisted participants!
This program offers senior leaders a unique opportunity to engage in transformative reconciliation through collaborative learning, decolonizing practices, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledges. Designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, the program provides a supportive space for difficult conversations and action-oriented solutions tailored to your local context.
Bursary Support Available:
Organizations in BC with annual budgets under $7 million qualify for a 50% fee reduction through our bursary program. For details, contact Katherine Lim, Engagement Coordinator, at katherine@fcssbc.ca.
Program Highlights:
- Cost: $3,800 for Federation members (two participants); $6,000 for non-members.
- Format: Monthly online sessions via Zoom starting January 15, 2025.
- Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: December 16, 2024
- Status Updates: December 17, 2024
- First Learning Session: January 15, 2025
Visit the Federation website to apply today and take the next step in advancing reconciliation within your organization.
For questions or more information about the program, bursary, or registration, contact Katherine.
Join us in this important work and transform your practice to embody the calls to action. Spaces are limited—apply now!
Children
Dakelh couple Kimberly and Jordan Joseph undertook a 1,500-kilometer journey from Prince Rupert to Victoria to raise awareness about the challenges faced by birth parents and the systemic issues in Canada’s child welfare system. Separated from their four children, who are in foster care, the couple alternated walking and driving over 75 days, sharing updates through a growing Facebook group and connecting with others who have lived experiences with child welfare. Despite logistical setbacks and delays, including cancelled visits with their children, they continued their walk to advocate for better support for Indigenous families. The journey, which the couple found personally healing, has garnered significant public attention and highlighted the systemic inequities and colonial structures in the child welfare system. With their case now set for trial, Kimberly and Jordan remain hopeful about reuniting with their children and plan to continue advocating for change.
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Good News
If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating, or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them 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.
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