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Dec. 13 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 13, 2024

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Table of Contents

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

Health

Second Urgent and Primary Care Centre Now Open in Kamloops | BC Gov News

The new North Shore Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) has opened in Kamloops, offering enhanced access to team-based, non-emergency health care for residents of Kamloops and surrounding communities. Located in the Northills Centre, the facility operates daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and provides care for conditions such as sprains, cuts, and minor infections. Staffed by approximately 30 full-time equivalent health-care practitioners, including doctors, nurses, and social workers, the UPCC supports those without primary-care providers and helps connect patients to ongoing care through the Health Connect Registry. This is Kamloops’ second UPCC and the 10th in the Interior Health region, forming part of BC’s broader primary-care strategy aimed at improving access to team-based care and reducing pressure on emergency rooms. The $5.4 million facility is co-funded by the Ministry of Health and the Thompson Regional Hospital District, with annual operating costs of $6.7 million.

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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/

Drug Crisis

BC Records ‘Significant Decline’ in Toxic Drug Deaths, but Reasons Unclear | CBC News

British Columbia recorded its lowest monthly number of illicit drug overdose deaths in over four years, with 155 fatalities in October 2024, reflecting a 9% decline in overdose deaths compared to the same period in 2023, according to the BC Coroners Service. While the decline aligns with trends in other jurisdictions, officials remain uncertain about its cause, emphasizing that unregulated toxic drugs remain the leading cause of unnatural death among residents aged 10 to 59. Advocates, such as Garth Mullins of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, cautioned against interpreting the numbers as an improvement in drug safety, highlighting the continued dangers of a volatile drug supply and expressing skepticism over government responses to the crisis. Despite the encouraging drop, officials and advocates agree that significant efforts are still required to address the toxic drug crisis.

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Opportunities Brought to You by the Federation

The Federation is dedicated to supporting our members and strengthening the broader community social services sector. We offer a range of ways to stay informed, build connections, and grow your skills.

Stay informed about the latest in the sector by exploring our calendar of training sessions, webinars, and events designed to help you succeed.
Get connected and expand your professional network through opportunities created specifically for community social services professionals.
Looking for a new career? Explore current job postings and find your next opportunity in the community social services sector.

Visit our website today to discover all the ways we can support you!

Communities

“I Am One of Them” Campaign | BC Disability Collab

The BC Disability Collaborative (BCDC) has launched a month-long social media campaign to spotlight the severe service gaps impacting over 80,000 children and youth with support needs (CYSN) in British Columbia and their families. Despite promises from Premier Eby to prioritize inclusion and ensure every child receives the support they need, government funding for CYSN remains inadequate. Through personal stories, the campaign highlights the challenges families face due to a broken service system and urges immediate, substantial government action across ministries to address these gaps. BCDC, a coalition of 18 provincial organizations, advocates for policies that respect disabled citizens’ rights and provide equitable, tailored services.

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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.

Housing

BC Minister Says Short-term Rental Regulations to Thank for Rent Dip | City News

BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon attributes a recent decrease in rental prices in Vancouver and Burnaby to provincial policies, including regulations that have returned 10% of short-term rental properties to the long-term market. A report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation found Vancouver’s average asking rent in November 2024 dropped to $2,534, marking a 30-month low, while rents in the region have declined 11% overall. Despite the positive trend, Kahlon acknowledges rents remain unaffordable and stresses the need for continued investments in affordable housing and greater cooperation from local governments to approve more housing projects. He also calls for federal leadership to prioritize not-for-profit housing over tax cuts for developers, arguing this is the most effective way to address the housing crisis sustainably.

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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

$4.7 Million Price-tag to Enforce Daytime Sheltering in Victoria, Sweeps Possibly Deadly | Chek News

Victoria City Council is considering a $4.7 million expenditure to enforce its daytime sheltering ban, sparking debates over its effectiveness and potential harm. Advocates warn that such sweeps scatter unhoused individuals into less visible but more dangerous areas, with fatal consequences, citing recent deaths among the city’s homeless population. Critics argue that enforcement alone will not address the needs of the most vulnerable, who require intensive mental health and addiction support. Meanwhile, tensions grow in neighbourhoods like Oaklands, where residents feel unsafe due to long-term camping in public parks. The city report acknowledges the limitations of the enforcement, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to homelessness.

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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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