Advocacy & Issues

Since 1982, The Federation has been a strong representative voice for BC’s social care sector. We bring forward issues and concerns—as well as possible solutions—on behalf of our members, their clients, and the broader community services sector. We engage in collaborative action with our allies and partners to overcome challenges and improve community practice, programs, and public policy in British Columbia.

The Federation has a mission and vision that have been approved by the membership, a Strategic Plan that continues to be relevant to the work and goals of The Federation, and a set of values and principles that guides our work. All of these guide The Federation’s approach to social justice work and advocacy.

Altogether better

It’s more than just a slogan. It’s the philosophy that guides our organization. It’s the call to action that guides our work. It’s the strength of our partnerships. It’s what inspires and empowers our member organizations to make BC a better place to live and it’s a steadfast commitment to informed and passionate social services.

The Federation strengthen and supports our members and BC’s community social services sector through advocacy and outreach, networking, exchanging information, building skills, and consistently bringing a balanced perspective to discussions with provincial and national decision-makers.

We do all this so that our members can deliver services of the highest quality, grounded in the best practices. Together we are working to develop a vibrant and sustainable community social services sector in BC. That’s what the people of BC deserve.

Issues & Advocacy Efforts

With a volunteer board, a small staff team, and many issues to address, we chose our areas of focus carefully. Some of the issues we work to address only demand our attention for a limited time. Others, like our commitment to an improved system of care for children and youth in care, have been a constant focus since the inception of The Federation. Here are some the issues we are currently focused on.

Residential Review

In 2011/12, The Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), conducted a comprehensive review of the residential care practices for children and youth in BC. The scope of this review included residential care services and supports provided in child welfare/protection, youth justice, child and youth with special needs, and child and youth mental health service streams. Since 2012, MCFD has been discussing the recommendations and we have been advocating for full implementation.

‘Life in BC’ Snapshots

In 2015, The Federation scoured the literature and research to take a snapshot of ‘Life in BC’ that captured some aspects of the economy that traditionally get overlooked. In 2017, things were no better so we updated and expanded this project to prove that point and to help you talk about the state of social care in our province. Check out the ‘Life in BC’ Snapshot Reports and help us raise awareness about the things that need to change in order for the people of British Columbia to actually prosper and thrive.

Sector/Membership Reports

In 2015/16, The Federation took part in two extensive surveys about BC’s community social services sector. The resulting reports share important insights into the health and sustainability of BC’s community social service sector as well as the programs, demographics, services, and supports that make up our sector.

Join the Federation

The Federation of Community Social Services of BC has been a provincial leader in the child, youth, adult, and family serving field for 30 years. We’re community social service champions. We provide tools and support that enable BC’s community social services to do their best work.

By becoming a member, you not only gain the many benefits of membership in The Federation but you join the ranks of others standing with us as we work to improve the well-being of people across BC.

Join the Federation

Our Vision

A society of strong, healthy individuals and families, and caring, inclusive communities strengthened by comprehensive, responsive, high-quality supports and services.

Our Mission

The Federation acts as a catalyst for positive change to British Columbia’s social policies and community programs.

Who We Are & How We Approach Advocacy

Ultimate Aims: How we will show up

We are committed to exemplifying the values we hold to be important in this work. These are the ways we are dedicated to showing up. These ideas are about our own moral compass. This is the ethos and ethic we aim to exhibit in all things.

Be unified. In all things, we stand together to be transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs and experiences of our membership.
Be bold. In all things, we show up to face the difficult but important and to challenge the status quo.
Be discerning. In all things, we are thoughtful and accountable to one another.
Be present. In all things, we will be fully present, attentive, and curious.

Best Means: The approach we take

We believe that every endeavour is guided by a set of commitments—not just about the why and the what, but also the how. These are the ways we are committed to engaging in our work. This is our approach. These principles inform everything we do.

Building trusting relationships. We do our best work when we create opportunities to strengthen and value relationships, when we build on the synergies we have through collaborations, and when we conscientiously and authentically engage with others.
Advancing proven and promising practices. We do our best work when we are grounded in research, when we are open to innovation, and when we recognize and utilize the expertise of our membership.
Connecting purposefully and collaboratively. We do our best work when we are thoughtful and intentional about bringing people and organizations in together in partnership.
Engaging inclusively. We do our best work when we listen to other perspectives and learn by being inclusive.
Consciously and boldly involving ourselves in social justice and reconciliation. We do our best work when we are driven by the virtues of equity and justice and when we speak truth to power in our contexts individually and collectively.

Premises: What we believe

We hold fast to a set of ideas that are fundamental to our work. These are our foundational perspectives. They keep us oriented and provide a rationale for working together as a federation. These are the core ideas that guide us.

There is wisdom in different perspectives.

Our members do not all share the same perspective. This makes our work together complex and is not a bad thing. Exposure to different perspectives brings new and varied solutions. Diversity strengthens our sector. Building partnerships that include diverse perspectives is vital to our cause.

We really are better together.

When we listen and learn, open ourselves to the influence of others, shoulder together toward common outcomes, we are better. When we move from our own work in our own organizations to a vision of our shared work, we are better. When we lift our gaze from what is coming to us separately and consider what we can contribute to the success of others, we are better. The social service sector is better when we join together to serve the communities in BC.

Social services organizations are critical to a healthy community.

Social services are as important as health and education to the vitality of a community. Everyone needs help sometimes. Social services and the agencies that offer them provide the critical link between the needs of individuals and families and care of the communities that wrap around us all.

The intentional inclusion of many voices creates lasting change.

The work of collaboration is difficult and time-consuming. Nonetheless, collaboration is the only way we will see the change we want to see. The strength and durability of decisions made through dialogue result in the kind of community change we desire. This kind of true and authentic dialogue requires relationships that are grounded in mutual respect and shared intention.

The best community services come from local knowledge and relationships.

The best social services are informed by local knowledge and enhanced by local relationships. In effective social service, there is no one size that fits all. There is no one social application that can be levied from afar that will achieve the same kind of impact that can be gained from up close. Organizations that are embedded in local communities understand best the needs of that community and the approaches that would work best.

The voices of Indigenous communities are critical.

The decision of indigenous communities to participate in the social service sector is not ours to dictate. We are mindful of not contributing to further colonization by assuming that the approaches emerging from dominant cultures must be joined by indigenous communities. However, we recognize the incompleteness of the whole community apart from the wisdom and heritage of those who have come before us.

Strong leaders make a strong sector.

Leaders are critical to the strength of the social sector. The quality of its leaders dramatically affects the quality of the sector. Investing in the development of leaders is a valuable pursuit. Having a Federation where leadership can grow, where relationships between leaders can form, where learning opportunities abound as research and wisdom is shared and developed is essential to a healthy and vibrant sector.

Progress for social justice and equity comes only through intention.

It is not enough for the social service sector in BC to be sustainable. We need the sector to have intentions for equity and social justice. Systemic change can happen only through a deliberate, concerted, and enduring effort to engage the underlying issues inhibiting the barriers to equity and justice.

Access to social care is a human right.

The right to social care is as fundamental as any human right. No person should ever lack the opportunity to receive the care of professional services and engage in the resources of the community. Social care is not a luxury. It is essential to the human experience. It is necessary for healthy communities.

Advocacy & Issues

Altogether better

Issues & Advocacy Efforts

Residential Review

‘Life in BC’ Snapshots

Sector/Membership Reports

The Federation on Twitter

Join the Federation

Our Vision

Our Mission

Who We Are & How We Approach Advocacy

Ultimate Aims: How we will show up

Best Means: The approach we take

Premises: What we believe

Contact Info

Reconciliation

Resources

About The Federation