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Dec, 06 Biweekly Update: Social Services Key Insights

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

December 06, 2024

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Table of Contents

  • Health
  • Reconciliation Book Club
  • Mental Health
  • Opportunities Brought to You by the Federation
  • Housing
  • 2025 Social Policy Forum
  • Drug Crisis
  • Transformative Reconciliation
  • Homelessness
  • Good News

Health

Vancouver Senior Says He Was Left in Hospital Hallway for Nearly 60 Hours | CTV News

Mike Mangan, a 70-year-old who recently underwent emergency gallbladder surgery at Vancouver General Hospital, spent nearly 60 hours recovering in a hospital hallway, an experience he described as “torture.” While he praised the doctors for their care, Mangan shared that constant noise, bright lights, and a lack of privacy made it nearly impossible to rest. Positioned near a nursing station, he overheard staff conversations and felt his concerns about comfort were dismissed, with nurses doing “the bare minimum.” Vancouver Coastal Health attributed the situation to high patient volumes during respiratory illness season, while BC’s Health Minister Josie Osborne called the ordeal difficult and encouraged feedback through the Patient Care Quality Office. Mangan, now recovering at home, hopes his story will prompt improvements in patient care at the hospital.

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Reconciliation Book Club

Fatty Legs (10th Anniversary Edition)

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/

 

Mental Health

New Report Shows Canadians Mental Health Worse than Before COVID-19 | CKPG Today

A new report from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) reveals that Canadians are experiencing mental health challenges at three times the rate seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, with rising poverty and the high cost of living identified as key factors. Elaine Leberge, executive director of the CMHA in Northern BC, highlights housing precarity and homelessness as particularly traumatic contributors, stressing that the affordability crisis extends beyond food and medical care to include housing, which plays a crucial role in mental well-being.

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Opportunities Brought to You by the Federation

The Federation is committed to supporting our members and the broader community social services sector. Stay informed and connected with training sessions, webinars, and events by checking our calendar of opportunities. Looking to work in the community social services sector? Explore current career opportunities.

Housing

New Affordable Homes Coming to Summerland | Cision

A new rental housing project in Summerland, BC, will bring 60 affordable homes to individuals and families, with construction starting on a five-storey building at 13204 Henry Avenue. Operated by Turning Points Collaborative Society, the building will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units close to essential amenities such as schools and parks. The ground floor will house a food bank and resource centre managed by the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre. Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the project is funded through $2.34 million from the Canada Community Housing Initiative, $9.5 million from BC’s Community Housing Fund, and $547,000 from the District of Summerland. This collaboration highlights the shared commitment of federal, provincial, and local governments to address housing needs in the region.

Related:

Register Now!

2025 Social Policy Forum

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.

Drug Crisis

Two Toxic Drug Alerts Issued for Williams Lake | CFJC Today Kamloops

Interior Health has issued two toxic drug alerts for Williams Lake, BC, warning of high overdose risks from substances sold as “down.” The first is a white powder containing nitazene, benzodiazepine, caffeine, and sugar, which poses a severe overdose risk and cannot be detected by fentanyl testing strips. Nitazenes are highly potent opioids, potentially stronger than fentanyl, and the substance could be mistaken for other drugs like cocaine or ketamine. The second alert concerns green and yellow chunks linked to multiple overdoses. Both substances highlight the critical need for caution and harm reduction measures in the area.

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Transformative Reconciliation

Applications Open for Cohort 5: Transformative Reconciliation Program

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!

Homelessness

‘People Are Going to Die’: Victoria Group Protests Encampment Crackdown | Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

Protesters gathered in Victoria’s Centennial Square to denounce municipal bylaws targeting homeless encampments, which they described as “forced displacement” and a violation of basic human rights. Led by the Victoria Liberation Front and other advocates, the demonstration highlighted the dangers of street sweeps, which displace vulnerable individuals without offering viable alternatives. Activists, including legal advocate Martin Girard and unhoused protester Shea Smith, argued that such policies exacerbate risks like overdoses, hypothermia, and violence, particularly during the winter. Protesters attempted to camp near the BC Provincial Court but were blocked, instead pitching tents at Centennial Square. Speakers, such as Tammy Cardinal, shared personal accounts of the devastating impacts of repeated bylaw enforcement, calling for respect, shelter, and holistic solutions to address the housing crisis. The protest underscored the urgent need for systemic change to ensure the dignity and safety of unhoused citizens.

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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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