Caring for Communities Health and Safety Conference: Agenda

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Check-In & Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | FOYER

Option 1: Mental Health First Aid
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | PINE
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges or crises. Similar to physical first aid, MHFA focuses on providing immediate support and guiding individuals toward professional help when needed.

Participants in this training will learn how to approach someone in distress, listen non-judgmentally, offer reassurance and information, and encourage appropriate professional and self-help strategies. The course also includes guidance on recognizing and responding to mental health crises.

The MHFA training aims to reduce stigma, increase mental health literacy, and empower participants to provide timely and compassionate support within their communities.
Trainers: Pomaa Arthur and Therese Barrozo

Option 2: Introduction to Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee
9:15 AM – 5:00 PM | SPRUCE
This one-day (8-hour, in-person) course covers the essentials for all new health and safety committee members and serves as an introduction to Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees. The following topics will be covered in the course:

  • The structure of health and safety in British Columbia
  • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Health and Safety Rights
  • What is expected of a health and safety committee?
  • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Duties and Functions
  • Committee Terms of Reference
  • Committee Evaluations
  • Hazard identification, risk assessment and control
  • Ergonomics, is it an issue?
  • Psychological wellness: why do we need to talk about this?
  • Inspections
  • Investigations

Trainer: Jacqueline Spain

Networking Break & Refreshments
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM| FOYER

Lunch
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | FOYER

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Check-In & Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | FIR

Conference Opening
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | PINE
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement by Barry Seymour and Welcome from FCSSBC & CSSHSA

Keynote
Skills for Navigating Complex Conversations
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | PINE
People commonly say that communication is the most essential part of a healthy relationship. It will have the biggest impact on how we show up for our families, workplaces, clients, and communities. The truth is, it takes humility to realize that we all have areas to grow and refine when it comes to our ability to communicate with a variety of people. In this full group plenary session, we will explore some building blocks of what makes conversations work and what can get in the way. We will look at three primary skills (empathy, assertiveness, framing) and carve out some time to practice with the others in a fun and supportive environment.
Speaker: Warren Hooley

Networking Break & Refreshments
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | FOYER

Trauma-Informed Workplaces
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | PINE
In this session, participants will explore the principles of Trauma-informed practice and learn how to create environments that promote healing, resilience, and well-being. Trauma affects individuals in different ways, influencing behaviour, learning, and interactions. Understanding the impacts of trauma is essential for us all. We will discuss trauma-informed practices’ core principles, including trust, safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment. We will also explore practical strategies to foster supportive and healing-centered relationships.
Speaker: Shirley Hogan

Lunch
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | FIR

Breakout A
Boundaries & Respectful Assertiveness
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | FRASER
Many of us grow up learning to be polite and do what it takes to keep the peace. Even though this has benefits, it can also have some serious drawbacks. We are more likely to overextend, hold too much space and hold back from sharing what we really think and feel. This can lead to burnout, resentment, unbalanced relationships, etc. We don’t want to be harsh or hurt others, but what if there was a way we could maintain respect while expressing our boundaries and honest truth? In this workshop we will look at the key techniques of how to navigate being assertive in a respectful, grounded and centered way. We will also explore how to balance showing care for others while expressing that you’re listening to your own needs as well.
Speaker: Warren Hooley

Breakout B
Creating a Culture of Care: Wellness Exchange Program & Pulse Check Essentials
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | PINE
Join Suncha Satney for a one-hour presentation on improving mental health outcomes and fostering a psychologically safer workplace within the Community Social Services sector. Participants will explore essential psychological health and safety concepts, learn about the Community Social Services Health and Safety Association’s Wellness Exchange Program—which provides practical tools and a supportive network—and discover the new Pulse Check tool designed to help leaders assess their organization’s psychosocial health and safety. The session will cover strategies for enhancing resilience, fostering a supportive work environment, and identifying organizational gaps to promote employee well-being.
Speaker: Suncha Satney

Breakout C
Women’s Health and Safety
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | SPRUCE
Let’s have a somewhat awkward and difficult conversation about the difference between the sexes regarding health and safety. How do we navigate regulations written from the perspective that all are ‘equal’? How do we adjust our conversations and understand through a risk assessment that considers scientific facts? Some topics will be ergonomics, pregnancy, the bodily effects of loss of estrogen, memory loss, wearing PPE and heat stress.
Speaker: Jacqueline Spain NCSO, GsC, Occupational Safety Officer at WorkSafeBC

Networking Break & Refreshments
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | FOYER

A Cultural Connection with the Prince George Native Friendship Centre’s Youth and Community Services Team
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM | PINE
This presentation explores culturally responsive service pathways for youth and families, offering a support model rooted in Indigenous approaches. We have developed a decolonized framework to ensure youth are not lost but rather culturally nourished, empowered, and supported in their journey toward interdependence and self-agency. We will share our advocacy journey and the intentional design of this approach, demonstrating that Every Child Matters — not just in youth services but as they transition into adulthood and ongoing circles of care.
Speakers: Elder Bertha Cardinal and Sheila Rennie

Final Reflections & Thank You 
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM | PINE 
Thank you from Amy Mullis (FCSSBC) & Tigran Bajgoric (CSSHSA)