The Federation’s Community Chronicles: April 30, 2024 🌍

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

April 30, 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

Table of contents

  • Toxic drugs
  • Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM
  • Mental health
  • Update session
  • Disability
  • Webinar
  • Communities
  • Workshops
  • Social services
  • Job opportunity
  • Health
  • Non-Profit North
  • Senior
  • Good news

Toxic drugs

Expert calls for more safe-use spaces as province renews push to restrict public drug use

The province of British Columbia is working with the federal government to restrict drug use in public spaces, including parks and hospitals. However, harm reduction expert Guy Felicella says that more safe supervised spaces are needed to support people who use drugs. He suggests that municipalities should create designated safe-use spaces to prevent people from using drugs out in the open. Felicella has lived the experience of being unhoused and using unregulated drugs, and since his recovery from addiction, he has been helping people fight theirs. The Harm Reduction Nurses Association is challenging the province’s Bill 34, which restricts drug use in public spaces. The group says the province needs more designated safe-use spaces instead of federal intervention. Finally, while the province is renewing its push for public drug use limitations, some city councillors from the Lower Mainland want to focus on treatment and scrap B.C.’s drug decriminalization pilot altogether. | CityNews

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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.

Mental health

Understanding treatment and recovery services offered by Interior Health

Mental health and substance use issues can be challenging, but the province of British Columbia has made various recovery and treatment services available through Interior Health. Recovery and treatment are distinct, with recovery being individualized and treatment referring to services an individual needs to recover from substance use problems. A treatment center offers treatment services, while a recovery center is more of a resource center. The two types of centers should be viewed as going hand-in-hand in a way that offers a more holistic approach to recovery. People seeking help will be guided throughout their process, and many different services are available to meet their goals for wellness. Connecting with a Mental Health and Substance Use Center or a family doctor is essential to decide what service will meet individual goals. | INFONews

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Update session

Representative for Children and Youth

Disability

Former Prisoner Turned Advocate: Resident Fights for Disability Rights in Clothing

Chris Duemo, a resident of Prince George, is facing difficulty finding work due to his disability and larger body size. He believes the government needs to change the law to help larger individuals purchase clothing that fits them properly. Chris has tried to secure government funding but has been unsuccessful, so he aims to bring legislative changes to help others in the same situation. Prince George-Mackenzie BC United MLA Mike Morris suggests forming an advocacy group to accelerate the change to legislation. | CKPG Today

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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 and CMHA

Communities

How B.C. is mobilizing for ‘challenging’ wildfire season

Wildfire season has begun in British Columbia, with dozens of fires already reported and many more expected due to persistent drought conditions. The province has been preparing for months, purchasing new firefighting equipment, recruiting firefighters, and strengthening the application process for wildland firefighters. Training boot camps for new recruits have already started, and the province has upgraded its fleet of planes and helicopters. Fire officials also emphasize the importance of prevention, including the FireSmart program, prescribed burns, and trimming flammable materials away from structures. | CBC

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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

Social services

Still going strong at 50: Vernon social agency celebrates milestone

The North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society (NOYFSS) is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. The social agency provides a broad range of social programs to support the needs of children, youth and families. NOYFSS started with one resource, Mara House, and now has nearly 100 employees, serving over 1,200 families annually. The agency has achieved numerous milestones and is seen as a cornerstone agency advocating for and supporting the needs of children, youth and families. The public is invited to join the social agency in celebrating its milestone with events such as a community appreciation BBQ and prize draws for family-friendly activities throughout the summer. | Vernon Matters

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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.

Health

B.C. drug policy shift will target vulnerable and houseless, advocates say

Advocates for drug users in British Columbia are concerned about the province’s request for Health Canada to allow police to intervene when they witness illicit drug use in public spaces. Critics argue that this move could worsen the opioid crisis, especially for marginalized individuals. The proposed change contrasts with the three-year decriminalization pilot project enacted in 2023, which exempted individuals possessing small amounts of opioids from criminal charges. The province’s request to empower police has sparked controversy, with opponents arguing it undermines harm reduction efforts and fails to address the root causes of drug use, such as homelessness and poverty. Critics also accuse the government of bypassing transparency and consultation processes. Despite government assurances that police intervention would be limited to exceptional circumstances, concerns persist regarding the impact on individuals and the effectiveness of punitive measures. Meanwhile, harm reduction experts emphasize the importance of comprehensive support services, including supervised consumption sites and housing options, to address the complex needs of drug users. | 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.

Senior

Check your policy — some group benefits change, or vanish, when you turn 65

Stephen Booth, a 66-year-old, found himself still working in retail past 65 despite battling paralysis-inducing cataplexy. Losing some of his employee disability benefits exacerbated his struggles, leading to depression. Booth’s situation isn’t unique; many group insurance plans reduce benefits at 65 to maintain financial viability, assuming retirees will rely on other support. However, with more seniors staying in the workforce, this practice is drawing scrutiny, with some seeing it as age discrimination. David Harvey, 70, filed a complaint when his benefits diminished after turning 65, claiming it devalues older workers. While employers and workers can purchase additional coverage, affordability remains a challenge. Effective communication between employers and employees about benefit changes is crucial. | CBC

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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; inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.