a group of totem standing in a forest - photo by galen croutgalen crout

📎 FCSSBC: Comprehensive June 18, 2024 Updates

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

June 18, 2024

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Table of contents

  • National Day for Indigenous People
  • Reconciliation
  • Training opportunities
  • Communities & families
  • Highlights
  • Homelessness & housing
  • Health & mental health
  • Children & youth
  • Toxic drugs
  • Good news

National Day for Indigenous People (June 21)

National Indigenous Peoples Day | Canada

National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on or around June 21 to honour the culture and heritage of Indigenous groups. It was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, and was intended to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples. The day is part of the Celebrate Canada program and is supported by the Government of Canada through funding opportunities for community celebratory events.

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Reconciliation

3rd annual march for missing and murdered Indigenous men, boys and 2S+ | CTV News

In Vancouver, the third annual march for missing and murdered Indigenous men, boys, and two-spirit-plus people took place, drawing emotional scenes as attendees came together to remember their loved ones who never came home. Some attendees travelled from other parts of the country to show their support. The event was organized by Curtis Ahenakew, inspired by the tragic death of his friend Neil Stonechild. The march aimed to bring awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys, emphasizing the importance of their stories. The event featured a symbolic canoe arrival carrying sweetgrass, signifying medicine and healing.

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Training opportunities

Communities & families

Francophone Community Health Centre Increases Access to primary care | BC Gov News

A new francophone community health centre is set to open in British Columbia in October 2024, aimed at providing accessible primary care services to the growing French-speaking community in the region. With all patient-facing staff fluent in French and English, the centre will offer culturally appropriate care and better preventative and continuity of care. The clinic will connect 4,400 people to longitudinal primary care by 2029. This initiative is a partnership between RésoSanté, the Ministry of Health, and Vancouver Coastal Health, with significant funding from the Province to support its establishment.

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Highlights

World Refugee Day (June 20) | UNHCR

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls on 20 June and celebrates the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. The day is essential as it shines a light on refugees’ rights, needs, and dreams, helping to mobilize political will and resources. World Refugee Day was first held globally on 20 June 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The day is marked by various events in many countries around the globe to support refugees, involving refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children, and the general public.

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Homelessness & housing

‘We do not have housing’: Growing downtown encampment highlights homelessness problem in Simcoe | Penticton Herald

The downtown encampment in Simcoe has brought attention to the homelessness problem in the area. The rising cost of housing, lack of health care and addiction treatment, and poverty are contributing factors. The average price of a home is high, and the rental vacancy rate is low. The county faces a housing shortage and long wait times for rent-geared-to-income housing. The homelessness prevention team has been helping households with various services, and an eviction prevention program has assisted many. The county has not provided the tents and supplies at the encampment. Efforts are being made to connect encampment inhabitants with the services they need. Local organizations such as Church Out Serving, St. Leonard’s, the Salvation Army, and food banks are suggested for donations. Legal challenges have prevented the immediate removal of the encampment, and there are concerns about drug use and violence near the area. The county is seeking help from the provincial government to address the affordable housing problem, determine housing costs, and support homeless individuals.

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Health & mental health

Climate change disasters require plans for dialysis patients, experts say | Creston Valley Advance

When severe flooding hit southern British Columbia in November 2021, dialysis patients, including Mitchell Dyck, faced life-threatening challenges as roads were impassable, requiring helicopter transport to receive treatment. Experts emphasize the need for robust emergency plans for dialysis patients due to increasing climate-related disasters. Dr. Shaifali Sandal is working on a national project to enhance disaster management for kidney patients, inspired by successful strategies from other countries. BC Renal, noted for its effective emergency response, serves as a model with coordinated plans, including deploying specialized nurses and maintaining a comprehensive patient information registry. These efforts aim to ensure uninterrupted care for dialysis patients during emergencies.

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Children & youth

B.C. schools need massive investment for repairs: trustees | City News

According to a report from B.C.’s School Trustees Association, B.C.’s public schools require almost $9 billion in repairs and upgrades over the next five years. The report emphasizes the impact of decades of underfunding on the quality of education and student well-being. It highlights the need for investment in climate adaptation and addressing population growth and overcrowding. The recommendations include immediate increased capital funding, implementing new technologies, and modernizing school area standards to meet educational needs. Despite some progress, a significant shortfall in public school capital funding persists.

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Toxic drugs

Island Health issues drug poisoning advisories for 2 Vancouver Island communities | Chek News

Island Health has issued drug poisoning advisories for the communities of Cowichan and Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The advisories warn of increasing drug poisonings and recommend getting drugs checked, carrying naloxone, and visiting local overdose prevention sites. Island Health also advises individuals to avoid using substances alone, to stagger use with a friend, and to start with a low dose. For more information, visit the Island Health website for local substance use harm reduction services.

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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 our way 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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