vinicius amnx amanođ FCSSBC: Comprehensive June 04, 2024 Updates
SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS
News, updates, and stories about social care in BC
Unveiling the latest developments in social services
June 04, 2024
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Table of contents
- Health & mental health
- Conferences & events
- Communities & families
- Highlights
- Reconciliation
- Children & youth
- Homelessness & housing
- Good news
Health & mental health
Taser companyâs virtual-reality training has an âempathyâ mode – Victoria Times Colonist
Virtual reality training scenarios immerse police officers in various crisis situations, such as confronting individuals with knives or experiencing mental health crises. These scenarios, provided by Axon, aim to enhance officers’ empathy and decision-making skills. While some question the cost-effectiveness of such technology, others argue it provides valuable practice opportunities, especially for infrequent tasks like Taser use. Axon also offers AI-powered software to streamline police report writing, potentially saving officers time.
Related:
- CMHA gearing up for annual Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride | Kelowna Now
- Province taking action to help people stay safe, cool | BC Gov News
- Expanded clinic will deliver more mental-health, addictions care for people in DTES | BC Gov News
- BC Nurses Union calling on health employers to shore up hostile working conditions | My Prince George Now
- Prepare for summer heat, B.C.âs provincial health officer cautions | Global News
- $140 million for UBC-led research hub to accelerate drug development and biomanufacturing | UBC
- FEK changing lives with opening of local facility | e-know
- B.C.âs surgical renewal commitment delivers record surgeries | BC Gov News
- B.C. to pay for COVID-19 drug Paxlovid after feds drop coverage | CBC
- B.C. helicopter charity brings health care to remote areas | CTV News
Conference
June 2024: Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM
Presented by the Federation Association Benefit Plan
Our June (13 and 14, 2024) conference 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 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.
Related:
- 2024 BC Non-Profit Leadership Conference (Jun. 6-7, 2024) | BOSS Vancouver
- Board Voice Conference and AGM 2024Â (June 6-7, 2024) | Board Voice
- My Tween and Me Program Facilitator Training (Sep. 11, 2024)Â |Â BC Council for Families
- Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Facilitator Training (Oct. 15, 2024) | BC Council for Families
- Mothers Mental Health Toolkit Training (Nov. 19, 2024) |Â BC Council for Families
- Integrated Strategies for Home Visitors Training (Nov. 28, 2024) |Â BC Council for Families
- Risk Management for Home Visitors (Dec. 09, 2024) |Â BC Council for Families
Communities &Â families
New Westminster families benefit from new child care centre | BC Gov News
A new community center in New Westminster called the tÉmÉsewÌtxÊ· Aquatic and Community Centre has opened a new child care center called Sea Otter YMCA Club, offering 37 licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers, and children between three and five years old. The center received over $3 million in provincial funding through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. The initiative aims to provide affordable and quality child care for families in New Westminster, supporting the well-being of children and communities. This center is part of the Province’s goal to create more than 37,000 new licensed child care spaces throughout B.C. since 2018.
Related:
- B.C. woman fuming that seniors’ advocacy group CARP in bed with Big Tobacco company | CBC News
- B.C.’s minimum wage increase isn’t enough, says advocate | City News
- Advocacy group says B.C. seniors should have free shingles, RSV vaccines | Global News
- Osoyoos Seniors’ Centre receives $15,000 in funding to repair flooring at the activity centre | Castanet
- Victoria bus fleet affected by Transport Canada recall: BC Transit | Penticton Herald
- Communities hit by 2021 floods denied recovery funding: mayors | CBC News
- âTheyâre sick of everything:â local union reacts to Canfor closures and curtailments | CKPG Today
- 1 in 3 B.C. workers donât make living wage, report finds | Radio-Canada
- Canada, BC, and City officially celebrate the opening of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant | City of West Kelowna
- Penticton to celebrate Senior’s Week with plenty of activities and events | Castanet
Highlights
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and MĂ©tis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.
Related:
Reconciliation
Kwadacha Chief and Council declare state of emergency as community faces “deplorable housing conditions” | CKPG Today
Kwadacha Chief and Council have declared a state of emergency as the remote community of Fort Ware faces a housing crisis with deplorable living conditions. The community has been affected by poor living conditions since the flooding of their traditional territory in the 1960s, leading to a sedentary life and intergenerational suffering. The current housing conditions include mould, overcrowding, structural issues, and inadequate protection from the elements, contributing to mental health and addiction issues, suicide, crime, and the need for increased child protection interventions.
Related:
- Indian boarding home settlement approved by federal court | APTN News
- Embroiled B.C. mayor seeks court order to overturn censure, sanctions | Global News
- First Nations firefighting competition descends on Kamloops | Castanet
- B.C., Blueberry River First Nations take next step to heal land, balance industry interests | BC Gov News
- Mountie to be transferred after First Nation’s claims of racism | CBC News
- Anti-racism research will help address gaps in government services | BC Gov News
- Minorities face âpattern of underrepresentationâ in B.C.âs public service | Vernon Morning Star
- B.C. unveils 240-language racism helpline as survey suggests systemic problems | Victoria Times Colonist
- Mapping the Growth of Indigenous Marine Protected and Conserved Areas | The Tyee
- Questions about how VPD treated Indigenous woman | CTV News
Children & youth
Ministerâs statement on Pride 2024 in K-12 education | BC Gov News
Minister Rachna Singh released a statement in celebration of Pride 2024 and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in B.C.âs education system. The statement emphasizes the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equality in K-12 education and reaffirms the commitment to ensuring all students, staff, and families feel welcome, safe, and included. It addresses the ongoing discrimination, harassment, and intimidation faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and stresses the need for safe, caring, and inclusive school environments. The statement encourages understanding, acceptance, and mutual respect for all individuals and cultural groups to create more inclusive and equitable school communities.
Related:
- Ride Donât Hide ready to roll-out to support youth mental health | Vernon Matters
- B.C. law banning disruptive protests near schools now in effect | CTV News
- Kelowna charity helped more than 60 children get dental care Saturday | Castanet
- Teacher disturbed by youth swarming incident at Lower Mainland mall | Fernie BC News
- Small Town Success: How Nanaimoâs Ivy Richardson is impacting youth across B.C. and beyond | BC Business
- ‘I had no idea’: Penticton family walking to raise awareness, funds after baby diagnosed with arthritis | Castanet
- B.C. schools facing safety issues over deferred maintenance | CTV News
Homelessness & housing
Does a BC Break for Landlords Go Too Far? | The Tyee
Tenants argue that the process is unfair and biased towards landlords, while landlords contend it must cover rising maintenance expenses. The policy allows landlords to apply for rent increases beyond the usual limits, leading to concerns about escalating rents and affordability for tenants. Despite criticism, the government has no plans to change the policy, citing the need to balance renovations with rental affordability.
Related:
- Opinion: Which way, Canada? Make housing cheaper or protect homeownersâ investments? | The Globe and Mail
- FFHS celebrates grand opening of North End Court | The Free Press
- Trudeau on housing prices and the Home of the Week: Canadian real estate news for June 1 | The Globe and Mail
- Small scale housing to be permitted in all rural zones in the Cariboo | Prince George Daily News
- Tiny homes community for homeless in Kelowna officially opens | Global News
- New affordable homes open for families, individuals in Fernie | BC Gov News
- Canada supports repairs of over 850 units for Indigenous residents | CMHC
- Tenant’s eviction upheld by B.C. Supreme Court | CTV News
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!
- This B.C. teen pianist has been playing major stages since he was 5 | CBC
- ‘We go everywhere together,’ says man who took baby goat on a cross-Canada road trip | CBC Radio
- Quebec teacher builds arcade in his class to get kids ‘off their phones’ | CBC
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.
Fahim Junaid
brooke cagle