Dozens of mannequins wrapped in orange tape with protest messages such as "Justice," "#MeToo," and "Do not look away" displayed prominently. The installation highlights issues such as violence, stalking, and harassment, with bold text and symbols creating a powerful visual statement. Photo by Mika BaumeisterMika Baumeister

Jan. 21 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

January 21, 2025

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Table of contents

  • Women
  • 2025 Social Policy Forum
  • Reconciliation
  • Opportunities brought to you by the Federation
  • Families
  • Disability
  • Children
  • Good News

Women

BC declares gender-based violence an epidemic | City News

BC Premier David Eby has declared gender-based violence an epidemic, urging his cabinet to address the needs of women fleeing violence. While advocates like Angela Marie MacDougall of Battered Women’s Support Services welcome the declaration, they emphasize the need for tangible action, such as increased funding for victims’ services, better enforcement of protection orders, and expanded transitional housing. MacDougall highlighted the dire reality, with 200 women turned away daily from transition houses in BC and many resorting to living in their cars. Economic challenges, such as potential job losses, could exacerbate violence and instability in homes. The government has stated that its action plan includes over 1,000 completed or in-progress transitional housing units to support survivors.

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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 to connect with leaders, explore key social policy topics, and help shape the future of our communities.

Member rate: $329 | Non-member: $449

Learn more and register here.

Contact info@fcssbc.ca for details.

Reconciliation

Victoria police use-of-force data shows Indigenous ‘overrepresentation’ | The Canadian Press

The Victoria Police Department has released race-based use-of-force data covering the period from 2018 to 2023, revealing that Indigenous individuals are overrepresented in such incidents, accounting for 17% of cases despite making up less than 5% of the local population. This data was shared following an order from BC’s Human Rights Commissioner and is part of a broader inquiry examining whether police use of force disproportionately affects racialized individuals or those with mental health issues. The department recorded a total of 1,685 use-of-force incidents during the six years, with 74% involving Caucasian individuals. However, the police indicated that the data lacks context regarding the severity of force used and the circumstances of each incident. Further analysis and the overall results of the inquiry are expected to be released later this year.

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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!

Families

Delta Families benefit as more child care spaces open | BC Gov News

Delta families are gaining from the addition of 40 new child care spaces at the Boundary Bay Montessori school, a development supported by over $2 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. This initiative, highlighted by Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare, aims to provide families with the crucial support needed for parents to pursue education and work while ensuring children receive quality early education. In collaboration with Reach Child Development and the Tsawwassen First Nation, the MIND Society enhances the program with cultural education. Since 2018, more than 39,000 new licensed child care spaces have been created across British Columbia, with over 440 in Delta, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving access to affordable, high-quality child care services as communities grow.

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Disability

‘It’s inhumane’: BC children with disabilities excluded from school classes, activities | Vancouver Sun

In British Columbia, children with disabilities are often excluded from school activities and classes due to a lack of trained staff and adequate resources, sparking frustration among families and advocacy groups. Despite increased provincial funding for inclusive education, rising costs and growing student needs have reduced per-student support in some districts. A new investigation by BC’s ombudsperson addresses widespread complaints of exclusion, with parents and advocates calling for stronger legal protections, standardized provincial policies, and more educational assistants to ensure equitable access to education. Families report significant disparities in support across districts, with some children receiving minimal or no instruction and being segregated from peers. Advocates hope the investigation will lead to systemic changes to address these inequities and foster a genuinely inclusive educational environment.

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Children

Northern BC doctor calls for RSV shots to be available to all infants | CBC News

Dr. Patrick Hemmons, a family physician in northern BC, had to travel to Seattle to secure a dose of nirsevimab for his pre-term newborn daughter, as the monoclonal antibody that protects infants from RSV is not widely available in the province. Despite being approved by Health Canada in 2023 and recommended for all infants during their first RSV season, nirsevimab is only offered in limited quantities to high-risk infants and specific remote communities in BC due to cost concerns and supply limitations. Hemmons highlighted the inequity of the current system, noting that communities he serves, like Fraser Lake, do not qualify as remote, while larger towns do. With RSV being a leading cause of hospitalization for infants in Canada, experts, including pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Jesse Papenburg, emphasize the need for broader accessibility to safe and effective treatment, contingent on achieving cost-effective implementation.

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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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