A classroom scene with young students sitting at a table, working on arts and crafts projects. A boy wearing glasses and a green shirt is in the foreground, focused on his work.Photo by CDC

Feb. 07 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

February 07, 2025

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Table of contents

  • Communities
  • Opportunities brought to you by the Federation
  • Housing
  • Homelessness
  • Mental health
  • Drug crisis
  • Health
  • Good news

Communities

New prefabricated classrooms open in BC, more on the way | BC Gov News

The British Columbia government has recently opened prefabricated classrooms in four schools, adding over 1,000 new student spaces in rapidly growing communities. This initiative aims to provide students with optimal learning environments and address the increasing demand for classroom space. The prefabricated classrooms are designed to be quickly constructed and are equipped with modern amenities to support effective teaching and learning. The government plans to continue expanding this program to accommodate future growth and ensure that all students have access to quality educational facilities.

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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!

Housing

200+ supportive homes, shelter spaces coming to BC | BC Housing News

The British Columbia government, through BC Housing, is funding 6,098 shelter spaces across 59 communities for the winter of 2024-2025, marking a 22% increase from the previous year. These include permanent shelters operating year-round, temporary shelters open nightly during winter, extreme-weather response shelters activated during severe conditions, and Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) units. This initiative aims to provide warm, safe indoor spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness as colder weather approaches.

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Homelessness

What Kelowna is doing for homeless people during this cold snap | iNFOnews

During the current cold snap in Kelowna, where temperatures have dipped below -10°C, the city has implemented several measures to support its homeless population. In collaboration with organizations like Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, a warming tent has been set up near the Okanagan Rail Trail encampment, operating from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., and warming buses are available from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., collectively accommodating around 100 individuals. Additionally, the Gospel Mission has added 12 extra shelter beds, Turning Points has provided 25 additional spaces until March 31, and Metro Central is running a 12-person women’s-only mat program during extreme cold. Outreach teams, including members from bylaw services, RCMP, Kelowna Fire Department, BC Housing, Interior Health, and other organizations, are distributing supplies and offering support to those in need.

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Mental health

Push-up to better mental health in Kelowna | Vernon Morning Star

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Kelowna is encouraging residents to participate in “The Push-Up Challenge,” a fitness-based mental health initiative running from February 11 for 18 days. Participants aim to complete 2,000 push-ups, symbolizing the approximate number of lives lost to suicide worldwide, to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health. The challenge is free, can be tracked via an app, and allows alternative exercises like squats or sit-ups. Originally founded in Australia in 2018, the challenge saw over 49,000 Canadians participate in 2024, raising $2.4 million. Registration is open for individuals and teams on “The Push-Up Challenge” website.

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Drug crisis

Unregulated drugs killed fewer people in 2024 in BC, but advocates say numbers still far too high | CBC News

In 2024, unregulated drugs claimed the lives of 2,253 people in British Columbia, marking a 13% decline from the previous year and the lowest annual toll in four years. While officials acknowledge the decrease, advocates stress that the numbers remain alarmingly high, with more than six deaths per day. Experts caution against reading too much into the decline, noting similar trends in other regions without clear evidence of a single effective intervention. Fentanyl and its analogues continue to be the primary drivers of deaths, detected in 78% of toxicology reports. Advocates, including Moms Stop the Harm, argue that the crisis requires a more urgent response, calling for a regulated drug supply and expanded harm reduction efforts. Since the public health emergency was declared in 2016, over 16,000 people have died due to toxic drugs in BC.

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Health

Advocating for change in BC’s emergency departments | Doctors of BC

Doctors of BC is urging the Minister of Health to implement an urgent stabilization plan to address the crisis in emergency departments across British Columbia, where overcrowding and difficult working conditions are straining healthcare staff. On January 23, Doctors of BC leaders met with senior Ministry staff to advocate for improvements in staffing, working conditions, leadership relationships, and compensation, highlighting concerns in both rural and urban EDs. They reiterated these concerns in a January 27 meeting with Health Minister Josie Osborne, who was receptive to their recommendations. Doctors of BC will continue pushing for concrete action and keeping members informed of developments.

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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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