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Community Social Services: Weekly Bulletin Aug. 29, 2024

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

August 29, 2024

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Table of contents

  • Communities & Families
  • Reconciliation Book Club
  • Toxic Drugs
  • Opportunities
  • Homelessness & Housing
  • Social Policy Forum 2025
  • Reconciliation
  • Career Opportunities
  • Children & Youth
  • FSGV
  • Health & Mental Health
  • Good News

Communities & Families

Ten New Homes for Women Leaving Violence Opening Soon in Vancouver | BC Gov News

Ten new homes are set to open in Vancouver, providing safe and secure second-stage housing for women and children fleeing violence. The BC government, through BC Housing, and the Battered Women’s Support Services Association (BWSS) have collaborated to purchase ten newly constructed units, including four town homes and six apartments, offering short-term housing for six to 18 months. These homes will provide not only safety and security but also crucial support services, helping women and children on their journey to healing and independence. The initiative is part of a broader $19 billion investment in housing by the BC government, with BWSS managing the units and offering additional programming to empower residents.

Resources:

Reconciliation Book Club

Bone Black

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 October 23, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Bone Black” by Carol Rose GoldenEagle. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/

Toxic Drugs

BC Government Launches Phone Line to Provide Same-day Access to Opioid Treatment | Energetic City

The BC government has introduced a confidential and free Opioid Treatment Access Line to provide same-day connections to doctors and healthcare professionals for people struggling with opioid addiction. This phone line, available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., aims to deliver immediate access to life-saving opioid agonist medications, such as naloxone, methadone, and slow-release oral morphine, which reduce overdose risks by preventing withdrawal symptoms. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside emphasized the importance of prompt treatment for those seeking help, while Vicky Waldron, executive director of the Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan, highlighted that the service could help overcome barriers faced by workers in the trades, who are disproportionately affected by opioid overdoses. The service’s costs are covered under BC PharmaCare.

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Opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members stay up to date with what is happening across the community social services sector. Check our calendar for training opportunities, webinars, and events.

Homelessness & Housing

BC Caps Rent Increases next Year at 3 per cent, Matching Inflation | Toronto Star

Starting January 1, 2024, the maximum allowable rent increase in BC will be capped at 3%, down from the current 3.5%, aligning with inflation rates. The new cap, announced by Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, aims to protect tenants from excessive rent hikes while allowing landlords to manage rising costs. This adjustment, based on the all-items consumer price index, continues the government’s approach of keeping rent increases below inflation. Landlords must provide three months’ notice before raising rent, and the cap will also apply to manufactured-home parks, with specific exceptions for certain types of tenancies.

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Save the date!

Social Policy Forum 2025

Our 2025 Social Policy Forum will occur on February 12, 13 and 14. We are excited to host this event again at The Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria. The Social Policy Forum is an opportunity for members, sector partners, and government colleagues to connect and explore the pressing social policy issues our organizations – and, more importantly, our communities – face today. Participants will learn more, discuss the impacts and consequences of social policy, and explore approaches that will move us forward in finding solutions and better ways to support our most vulnerable citizens. Please watch for more information, including hotel booking details.

Reconciliation

A ‘Gut-Wrenching’ Snapshot of First Nations Health | The Tyee

A recent interim update from the First Nations Population Health and Wellness Agenda has revealed alarming data on the health of First Nations communities in British Columbia. The report tracks 22 health indicators and highlights significant declines in life expectancy, mortality rates, and diabetes incidence, with First Nations life expectancy dropping from 73.3 years in 2017 to 67.2 years in 2021. The data underscores the severe impact of toxic drugs and COVID-19 on these communities, exacerbated by systemic racism and healthcare disparities. Despite these challenges, there is a call for hope, resilience, and the need for systemic change to improve First Nations health outcomes.

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Career Opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members recruit and retain skilled staff. Click here to check the current opportunities.

Children & Youth

Nearly Half of Students Can’t Cover Food, Housing: Canadian Poll | City News

A recent TD Bank survey reveals that nearly half of Canadian post-secondary students struggle to afford basic necessities like food and housing, with 45% reporting they can’t meet these essential needs. Additionally, 65% of students consider themselves financially unstable. Although 64% of students maintain a budget, only 41% regularly adhere to it. The survey also highlights the role of parents, with 94% providing financial support and 58% offering significant assistance. The survey, conducted online with 514 students and 515 parents between July 26 and August 4, lacks a margin of error as it is not a random sample.

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FSGV

FSGV Benefit Wayfinder 2024 | The Federation

The Federation, in collaboration with Family Services of Greater Vancouver, is offering a FREE virtual workshop to help frontline staff improve their support for clients with financial struggles using Prosper Canada’s Benefits Wayfinder. This training will equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to assist clients in discovering and applying for benefits and will include effective, trauma-informed money conversation techniques. The workshop is available on September 25 and November 5, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and is limited to 30 participants per session. Additional dates will be added, and a waitlist is available by contacting Katherine Lim at info@fcssbc.ca. Register today and share this opportunity with your colleagues!

Health & Mental Health

BC Government Launches Opioid Treatment Line but Critics Say the Focus Is Still Wrong | Global News

The BC government has launched the Opioid Treatment Access Line, a provincewide hotline providing immediate access to life-saving medications and same-day care for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. The service aims to enhance treatment accessibility, with a dedicated team of healthcare professionals offering support. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside emphasized the province’s commitment to saving lives regardless of how long it takes someone to seek help. However, critics argue that the government’s focus remains misguided, advocating instead for free treatment rather than harm reduction strategies, such as the controversial harm reduction kiosks in Nanaimo and Campbell River, which distribute supplies like Naloxone and drug paraphernalia. The announcement coincided with the unveiling of a memorial in Campbell River to honour the over 14,000 lives lost to toxic drugs since 2016.

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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 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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