dextrose hanging on stainless steel iv stand | photo by marcelo lealMarcelo Leal

📰 FCSSBC: May 28, 2024 Social Services Update

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unfold the recent happenings and advancements in social services

May 28, 2024

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Table of contents

  • Health & mental health
  • FCSSBC: June 2024 current and emerging issues conference & AGM
  • Children & youth
  • Youth bursary
  • Disability
  • Week highlights
  • Communities & families
  • Toxic drugs
  • Housing & homelessness
  • Reconciliation
  • Good news

Health & mental health

B.C. woman has 2 surgeries cancelled after hospital fails to provide clean equipment | Global News

Beverlie Rolin, a 90-year-old woman in B.C., had two surgeries cancelled at Peace Arch Hospital due to the lack of clean equipment. The hospital’s executive director regretted the delay and mentioned an unexpected technical issue in the cleaning and sterilization department. Beverlie’s daughter praised the care provided by the hospital staff but hopes such incidents do not recur. The hospital is receiving support from other sites to ensure an adequate supply of medical instruments for surgeries and procedures.

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Conference

June 2024: Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM

Presented by the Federation Association Benefit Plan

osoyoos conference visual identity: people with their hands in the air connecting with each other in a desert-y background | design by estella lum

Our June conference (from Thursday, June 13, 2024, to Friday, June 14, 2024) is designed to tackle the pressing issues that matter most to our members. Based on feedback from our members, we’ve tailored the agenda to cover current trends and emerging topics. The Federation’s AGM* on the final morning ensures we discuss these crucial issues and address organizational matters vital to our collective mission.

*AGM is exclusive to members.

Children & youth

Camp Kin provides queer youth with a sense of community | The Discourse

Camp Kin is a summer camp in the Comox Valley that offers a supportive community for queer youth and allies aged 7-12. It provides activities like swimming and hiking while fostering connections among campers who share similar identities. The camp is inclusive and accessible, offering sliding scale rates supported by subsidies. Meika Johnson, a camp counsellor, emphasizes the importance of exclusive spaces for queer youth to thrive and be themselves. Nature-based learning is integral to the camp’s approach, connecting participants with the diverse aspects of the natural world. Despite occasional harassment, the camp remains committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion training for staff. The goal is to expand Camp Kin into a sleepaway camp serving queer youth from across Vancouver Island.

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Youth bursary

The Youth Education Bursary assists young people who are, or have been, in care and want to pursue a career in the field of Human Social Services. Since 2009, we’ve awarded $296,925 in bursaries to 217 recipients to help students with the financial costs of tuition, books, and supplies for post-secondary study. Donations from FCSSBC members and the public are welcome! Bursary applications are open until May 31, 2024.

The FCSSBC Youth Education Bursary

Disability

Autistic Youth Deserve Freedom from Abuse | Psychology Today Canada

Autistic youth are disproportionately affected by abuse, with studies showing higher rates of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse among them compared to their neurotypical peers. Factors such as behavioural challenges and intergenerational trauma contribute to this trend. However, misunderstandings about autism often lead to inappropriate interventions or a lack thereof within child protective services. Initiatives focusing on education about autism within the child welfare system and providing neurodiversity-affirming resources for families could help address this issue and ensure the safety and well-being of autistic youth.

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Week highlights

National AccessAbility Week: May 26 to June 1, 2024 | Canada

The Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion is hosting a virtual event to kickstart National AccessAbility Week from May 23 to June 1, 2024. The event aims to bring together persons with disabilities, disability organizations, public and private sector organizations, employers, academics, innovators, and thought leaders to discuss creating accessible and inclusive communities and workplaces across Canada. The Congress will feature panel discussions on the Accessible Canada Act, the inclusive built environment, and accessible employment, as well as a keynote speech by Prasanna Ranganathan, a founding board member of the Disability Screen Office. Additionally, the event will celebrate Canadian athletes and artists with disabilities.

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Communities & families

What Do British Columbians Think About $10aDay Child Care? | Research Co.

The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC conducted a poll in March 2024, finding continued strong support for $10aDay child care among British Columbians. Key findings include widespread agreement on the importance of government commitment to the program and the need for quicker implementation. Despite challenges like long waiting lists, many families feel child care has become more affordable. Specific policy recommendations related to $10aDay child care also garnered broad support. Overall, the poll highlights consistent public backing for the program and recognition of its economic and social benefits.

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Toxic drugs

Decriminalization failures show half measures are not enough to address drug use problems and the opioid crisis | Philippine Canadian Inquirer

The failure of decriminalization efforts in various jurisdictions, notably highlighted by recent events in Toronto, British Columbia, and Oregon, underscores the inadequacy of half measures in addressing drug use problems and the opioid crisis. Despite evidence pointing to the exacerbating factors of the pandemic and the need for comprehensive public health approaches, blame is often directed at drug policy reforms. Neither conservative nor liberal governments seem fully committed to implementing a public health approach that addresses the root causes of substance use disorders, opting instead for punitive measures or incomplete reforms. While decriminalization can mitigate some harms associated with drug use, it alone cannot address societal conditions fostering addiction. Portugal’s successful model emphasizes the importance of comprehensive social safety nets and integrated rehabilitation programs, highlighting the necessity of investing in long-term solutions rather than reverting to ineffective policies driven by moral panic and punitive measures.

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Housing & homelessness

BC’s rental protection fund pays $11.8M for Burnaby apartment | Vancouver Is Awesome

The Rental Protection Fund in B.C. has provided $11.8 million to preserve the affordable Casa Mia Apartments in Burnaby’s Edmonds neighbourhood. The Brightside Community Homes Foundation will now manage the property, and the fund will also provide a grant of $15,000 per home for renovations. The acquisition aims to safeguard affordable homes and address the rental erosion crisis in Burnaby. The property, assessed at $15.88 million, will continue to offer affordable rents to its residents.

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Reconciliation

RCMP officer’s social media posts prompt calls for suspension from First Nation chief | Village Report

The Heiltsuk Tribal Council Chief, Marilyn Slett, is demanding the suspension and removal of an RCMP officer stationed in Bella Bella due to racist social media posts made before he joined the force. Slett’s letter to the Bella Bella detachment included images of the offensive posts. The RCMP acknowledges the concerns and states that an administrative process involving the officer is underway. Despite meetings between Heiltsuk leaders and RCMP officials, the officer remains on duty, with a transfer process reportedly underway but expected to take up to 90 days. Slett emphasizes zero tolerance for racism in their community, while the RCMP stresses the importance of addressing concerns fairly while maintaining trust. The posts in question were made many years before the officer joined the RCMP. This incident adds to existing tensions between the Heiltsuk Nation and police, highlighted by a wrongful arrest in 2019 and subsequent strained relations during a trauma-healing ceremony in 2022.

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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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