Nathan AndersonJan. 14 Biweekly Update: Social Services Key Insights
SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS
News, updates, and stories about social care in BC
Unveiling the latest developments in social services
January 14, 2025
Subscribe HERE
Table of contents
- Disability
- 2025 Social Policy Forum
- Families
- Opportunities brought to you by the Federation
- Children
- Reconciliation
- Seniors
- Youth
- Good News
Disability
Court finds disabled adults can’t count on needed provincial support | The Tyee
A BC Supreme Court ruling highlights the limitations and uncertainty of services provided by Community Living BC (CLBC) for adults with disabilities, citing the death of CLBC client Florence Girard and broader systemic issues. Justice David Crerar allowed a 17-year-old plaintiff, H.D., to receive a lump sum settlement to self-fund her lifelong care rather than rely on CLBC services, which the court found to be discretionary, inconsistent, and underfunded. The judgment underscored concerns about CLBC’s ability to meet growing demand, strained resources, and recruitment challenges, emphasizing that eligibility for services does not guarantee entitlement or consistent support. Crerar concluded that self-funding would provide H.D. with greater autonomy and stability, acknowledging the inadequacies and uncertainties of government-funded care for vulnerable individuals.
Related:
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
- Suncha Satney, a Workplace Psychological Health and Safety Consultant with CSSHSA
Registration is now open for members at $329 and $449 for non-members.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leaders in social policy and shape the future of our communities.
For more information, contact us at info@fcssbc.ca.
Families
Surrey parents, students raise concerns over closure of alternative learning centre | CBC News
The impending closure of the South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre has raised concerns among parents, students, and former attendees who view it as a vital resource for vulnerable youth struggling in mainstream schools. The alternative education program, known for its small class sizes and individualized support, has been a lifeline for neurodiverse and at-risk students like Debbie Weir’s child, who thrived academically and socially at the centre. Former students like Desmond Tompkins and Hilly Schaeffer credit the program for providing a safe, consistent environment during challenging times. However, financial constraints and the expiry of the building’s lease have prompted the Surrey School District to shut the centre despite petitions and calls for provincial funding to keep it open. Parents fear the decision will disrupt the education of students who depend on such specialized support, potentially increasing dropout rates among vulnerable youth.
Related:
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!
Children
ANALYSIS: Why are BC kids sick all the time? Health experts explain | Chemainus Valley Courier
A surge in respiratory illnesses among BC children, fueled by repeated waves of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, highlights the long-term effects of weakened immune systems from the pandemic. The “immunity debt” narrative, which attributed increased infections to reduced microbial exposure during lockdowns, has been debunked, as evidence points to SARS-CoV-2 directly damaging T cells, leaving children more vulnerable to reinfections and severe illness. Experts emphasize the importance of comprehensive protective measures, including vaccines, respirators, and improved indoor air quality in schools and daycares, as political inaction exacerbates the health crisis. The call for clean air solutions is urgent, as children continue to suffer from frequent illnesses, absences, and risks of Long COVID.
Related:
- BC group calls for school funding transparency for children with special needs | MSN
- One-third of child ER visits involve respiratory symptoms, BC officials say | CTV News
Reconciliation
BC Child welfare expert ‘appalled’ at Ottawa, Chiefs of Ontario | APTN News
Child welfare expert Mary Teegee, chair of the BC Indigenous Directors Forum, expressed dismay over Canada’s negotiations with Ontario chiefs on child welfare reform, criticizing the move as disregarding national efforts to address systemic discrimination against First Nations children. Teegee, who helped defeat a flawed $47.8 billion draft Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) last October, highlighted concerns that Canada’s approach prioritizes its own interests while sidelining the voices of Indigenous youth, Elders, and leaders. The Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s decision to proceed with talks comes amid political uncertainty in Canada and fears of potential program cuts under a future Conservative government. Teegee underscored the importance of a unified, national strategy to comply with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s orders to end discriminatory practices, asserting that this case sets a critical precedent for addressing inequities in other areas like health, education, and water.
Related:
- Columbia River Treaty talks continue amid tense border rhetoric: ‘I’m always optimistic’ | Kelowna Now
- Addressing First Nations-specific racism in the BC health-care system | Nation Talk
- Unmasking heritage: charting the rise of women carvers on BC’s North Coast | Trail Times
Seniors
BC seniors living longer, but waitlists for vital services on the rise | Trail Times
Seniors in British Columbia are living longer and staying healthier, but the demand for essential services is outpacing availability, as highlighted in the Monitoring Seniors Services 2024 Report. Waitlists for long-term care beds have surged by 150%, with over 6,500 individuals waiting, while hip and knee replacement wait times have risen significantly. Subsidized housing applications have increased by 59%, yet only 6% of applicants received a unit last year, and elder abuse reports have nearly doubled. BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt emphasized the urgent need for a cross-ministry plan to address these challenges, citing the growing senior population, which has increased by 45% in the past decade, and the critical importance of supporting seniors to age safely at home.
Related:
Youth
BC teen out of hospital after contracting bird flu in November | City News
A 13-year-old BC girl, Canada’s first human case of avian influenza, has been discharged from the hospital after months in the pediatric intensive care unit. Doctors and researchers announced her significant recovery, noting she no longer requires supplemental oxygen. The Provincial Health Services Authority confirmed her full discharge, and her family expressed gratitude to the BC Children’s Hospital for their care, calling the experience life-changing. They requested privacy as they focus on her continued recovery and rebuilding their lives.
Related:
- ‘I miss my family’: Refugee teen stuck at BC hospital post-surgery | The Free Press
- Intake period for Youth Employment and Skills Program to open this month | Canadian HR Reporter
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!
- Canadian songs turning 20 in 2025: from Jully Black, Daniel Powter, Martha Wainwright and more | CBC Music
- Beloved donkey who was animation model for Shrek has died at the age of 30 | CBC Radio
- Belinda the surprisingly busy sea sponge takes a whole day to sneeze | CBC Radio
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.
Centre for Ageing Better