The Federation’s Community Chronicles: April 26, 2024 🌍

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

April 23, 2024

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APPLICATIONS EXTENDED

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

Toxic drugs

‘Secret report’ or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations

British Columbia’s Premier, David Eby, and one of his top lieutenants have denied allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets. The opposition accused Eby of having a “secret report” on his desk from an American professor who researches and analyzes public health and drug policy. However, Eby denied the accusations and said that Dr. Bonnie Henry, an independent public health officer, commissioned the report. The report is expected in May or June and will look at the impact of a safer supply of drugs on markets and illicit drug markets. | CTV News

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Conference

June 2024: Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM

Our June 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.

Thursday, June 13, 2024: Conference & Networking Reception

Friday, June 14, 2024: Federation AGM*

Click here for more info and to register: https://fcssbc.ca/conferences/june-conference-agm/

*AGM is for members only.

Youth

Youth confinement ’cause for embarrassment,’ B.C. ombudsperson says

British Columbia’s ombudsperson, Jay Chalke, has criticized the Ministry of Children and Family Development for its lack of action on reducing the practice of isolating youth in custody. In an update to a 2021 report, he stated that the ministry has failed to make recommended improvements and, in many cases, is “moving backwards.” Chalke is concerned that vulnerable youth in provincial custody are still being isolated for long periods, and he called on the ministry to address its delay in implementing the recommendations. He emphasized that youth are at risk of significant harm from separate confinement, particularly Indigenous youth who are overrepresented in provincial custody. | The Canadian Press

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Webinar

How to create a culture of recognition and acknowledge contributions: FCSSBC and CMHA

This is an invitation to a one-hour workshop on “How to Create a Culture of Recognition and Acknowledge Contributions.” The workshop will explore the importance of recognition and rewards in creating a psychologically safe workplace. Attendees will learn about different recognition strategies, both formal and informal, and how to make them more impactful with a personal touch. The workshop will also discuss the role of managers in implementing recognition practices. The workshop is a collaborative environment where attendees can share their experiences and learn from others. It is scheduled for May 14th or May 30th from 12 pm to 1 pm and is brought to you by The Federation of Community Social Services of BC and the Canadian Mental Health Association. | FCSSBC

Disability

BC Pans New Federal Disability Benefit

The benefits for people with disabilities included in last week’s federal budget fall short of expectations, according to B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson. The budget includes $6.1 billion over six years, then $1.4 billion annually, to supplement provincial and territorial benefits for some 600,000 working-age people with disabilities. However, the amount of $200 a month in mid-2025 for people who qualify for the disability tax credit is considered too small by many advocates. The eligibility requirements are also considered too restrictive, leaving fewer than half of the people needing help to receive it. | The Tyee

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Workshops

Parenting workshops: Parent Support Services Society of BC

Five free online parenting workshops for parents and kinship caregivers in British Columbia. The workshops cover various topics, including creating and deepening attachment with children, understanding temperament and goodness of fit, creative journaling for self-care, dealing with parenting power struggles, and tuning into temperament. | Parent Support Services Society of BC

Families

B.C. mom distributes air quality monitors after 9-year-old’s asthma death during wildfires

Carter’s Project, launched by the Vigh family in partnership with the BC Lung Foundation, distributes air quality monitors and teaches people how to build their own air purifiers using box fans and HEPA furnace filters. The goal is to bring air quality monitors and air filters to every community in British Columbia as they face yet another wildfire season. The project aims to prevent other families from losing a loved one due to wildfire smoke. Governments and municipalities should also step in and help protect people from poor air quality by subsidizing air filters and creating “clean air shelters” when local air pollution reaches a certain level. | CTV News

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Job opportunity

Prince George Native Friendship Centre – Assistant Executive Director

The Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC) is looking for an Assistant Executive Director (AED) to support the long-term strategic goals, objectives, plans, and policies of the organization. The successful candidate will be a proven leader with a passion for holistic and culturally based services that support urban Indigenous communities.

Communities

Summerland first in B.C. to offer free transit for riders of all ages

After completing a one-year pilot project, the municipality of Summerland in British Columbia has decided to provide free bus fare on Route 30 for all Summerland residents. The Summerland council approved the decision during a meeting in March. Summerland is the first community in the province to offer ongoing free fares for residents of all ages. The decision was supported by data and information collected from a public survey launched on Feb. 2, 2024. The free transit fare program will encourage people to use a more sustainable and green method of travelling throughout their community. | Vernon Morning Star

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Housing

B.C. government to set housing targets for 20 more communities

The British Columbia government has announced 20 more cities and towns as priority communities for housing targets over the next five years, based on high-growth, high-need regions of the province. This is in addition to the ten priority cities named last year, with a goal to build 60,000 new units over the next five years. Most of these 20 new communities are in Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island, while Kelowna, West Kelowna and Prince George are also on the list. The government has promised to monitor the progress of these communities and set out targets this summer for housing growth. | The Canadian Press

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Event

Register for our Non-Profit North event in May!

We’re excited to be co-hosting the Non-Profit North event with Vantage Point on May 9 at the Courtyard Marriott in Prince George — and we’re looking forward to seeing you there. Register on our website to join us in discussing the unique challenges of community social services in the North.

Health

Princeton woman in need of transplant brings health care disparities to Victoria

A Princeton woman named Chris Unrau, who needs a double-lung transplant, is advocating for change in the province to eliminate discrimination in organ transplants for residents outside of Vancouver. She and her husband, along with Paul Adams of the BC Rural Health Network and local MLA Roly Russell, met with Premier David Eby and received 100% support from every MLA. Currently, patients travelling from outside the Lower Mainland must find their own housing and fund their travel and living expenses for a minimum of six months. Unrau withdrew her request to be put on a transplant list because she could not afford the $20,000 minimum down payment required to ensure she could stay in Vancouver post-surgery. However, a Penticton benefactor has promised to pay all her associated medical bills following transplant surgery when it becomes available. | The Free Press

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Reconciliation

Mounties will not be charged in shooting death of B.C. Indigenous man

Three Mounties in British Columbia will not face charges in the killing of Jared Lowndes, a 38-year-old Indigenous man, on Vancouver Island in 2021—the B.C. Prosecution Service said in a statement that the evidence was insufficient to pursue charges against any of the officers involved in the death of Lowndes. Two officers opened fire on Lowndes, killing him after he discharged bear spray at the approaching officers and fatally stabbed the police dog, injuring an officer with the knife in the process. The head of the National Police Federation welcomed the Crown’s decision, saying that the officers involved in Lowndes’ death had “endured almost three years of uncertainty.” | CTV News

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Homelessness

Vernon councillor opposes reduction in social planning reports citing opioid crisis, downtown work

The Social Planning Council quarterly reports were discussed at a recent council meeting. City staffer Terry Barton suggested the reports be reduced to only twice a year, but Coun. Brian Quiring disagreed. He argued that given the current opioid crisis and issues in the downtown area, hearing reports twice a year is not enough. Quiring believes that members of the public and media rely on the reports to keep up to date on what’s going on in the city. The Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan is a non-profit primarily funded by the City of Vernon, and its reports to the council cover things like homeless outreach, harm reduction, and drug-related death statistics. | Castanet

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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 our way to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

Note

The articles included 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 that’s relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

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