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March 28 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

March 28, 2025

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Table of contents

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

Housing

Tofino reversing decision to participate in B.C.’s short-term rental regulation | City News

The District of Tofino is reconsidering its decision to opt into B.C.’s short-term rental regulations, which restrict rentals to a person’s principal residence and require registration. Initially excluded from the legislation, Tofino voluntarily adopted the rules to address its housing crisis. However, following concerns from community members — particularly tenants pressured to act as Airbnb or VRBO hosts — the council is now seeking to reverse its participation. While the regulations have not significantly impacted tourism, the decision comes amid broader economic uncertainties. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon emphasized the province’s commitment to supporting local governments in addressing housing needs.

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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!


The Federation of Community Social Services of BC, in partnership with the Community Social Services Health and Safety Association, invites you to join us for the Caring for Communities Health and Safety Conference.

From April 9 to 10, 2025
Courtyard Marriott Prince George
900 Brunswick Street
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

This two-day event will bring together professionals, advocates, and community leaders to explore key topics in workplace health and safety — mental health, decolonization and more — all through the lens of the community social services sector.

Day 1: Preconference
Your choice of full-day training workshop:
Mental Health First Aid
Introduction to Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee

Day 2: Conference
Keynote: Warren Hooley
Boundaries & Respectful Assertiveness
Women’s Health and Safety
and more!

Click here for the complete agenda: Caring For Communities Health and Safety Conference: Agenda
Register here: Caring For Communities Health and Safety Conference

For youth from care, financial barriers can make post-secondary education challenging. That’s why The Federation Youth Education Bursary exists — to support students pursuing careers in human and social services. Since 2009, we’ve awarded $296,925 to 217 students, covering tuition, books, and supplies.

💰 What You Need to Know:
✅ Up to $2,000 per academic year (two semesters)
✅ Can be combined with other bursaries or tuition waivers
✅ Funds go directly to the academic institution
✅ Must be used within 18 months (for 2025 recipients, by January 2027)
✅ You can apply more than once and receive the bursary multiple years in a row

📝 Applications close May 5, 2025. Applicants will be notified in the summer. Apply here: 2025 Youth Education Bursary

How to prepare your community organization for wildfire season 2025 in BC

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense — how can your organization be ready? Join us for a vital webinar designed to help BC’s social services organizations prepare for the 2025 wildfire season.

Hear from leading experts as they share insights on fire behaviour, health impacts, and the psychological effects of climate disasters. Learn firsthand from a social service leader who navigated wildfire response in 2024. A live Q&A session will follow pre-recorded interviews with our expert panel.

📅 Date: April 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
📍 Online Webinar

Featured Speakers:
Katie Hodder – Firsthand experience navigating a wildfire crisis
Bob Gray – Fire behaviour and mitigation strategies
Alexis Palmer-Fluevog – Psychological impacts of climate disasters
Linda Thyer – Health risks and medical considerations

Moderated by Arden Henley, Executive Director of Green Technology Education Centre.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your emergency preparedness. Register today!

Homelessness

Fort St John homelessness committee to meet with B.C. ministers | Energetic City

The Council’s Response Committee on Housing and Emergency Shelter (CRCHES) in Fort St. John has been authorized to meet with several B.C. ministers to discuss solutions for homelessness, including potential funding and a pilot co-op housing program. CRCHES submitted a report to the council on Feb. 24 recommending provincial engagement, and the council unanimously approved the committee’s request to meet with the ministers of housing and municipal affairs, public safety and solicitor general, and health. The meeting will be held virtually, and the council has also endorsed a CRCHES resolution advocating for alternative funding streams for local governments.

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Health

CT scan waitlists moving faster in B.C. Interior due to new system | Castanet

Interior Health (IH) has introduced a new system to reduce CT scan wait times by allowing patients in Kelowna and Kamloops to choose nearby hospitals with shorter queues. Over the past two months, IH has contacted more than 3,000 patients, with some opting for alternative locations and others identifying that they no longer need the scan, helping to improve overall efficiency. The demand for CT scans has grown by 33 per cent in the past year, as more physicians rely on them for superior diagnostic imaging. IH has also implemented an automated text and call system to notify patients of available appointments, though some have mistaken the messages for scams. Patients have five days to respond, and IH advises them to check its website for verification and more information.

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Drug crisis

Stir stick to detect if your drink is spiked developed by UBC researchers | Global News

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed “Spikeless,” a discreet stir stick that detects common drink-spiking drugs like GHB and ketamine within 30 seconds. The single-use tool, which features a chemically coated bioplastic tip that changes colour upon detection, is designed to be more subtle than existing alternatives like coasters or nail polish. While Spikeless still requires Health Canada approval, the UBC team hopes it will be widely available at venues rather than relying on individuals to carry it. The project, initially conceptualized in 2011, has been refined over the past three years and is now moving toward real-world testing and production.

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Mental health

Culinary fundraiser serves up $80K for mental health in Kootenay Boundary | Grand Forks Gazette

The KBRH Health Foundation, in partnership with The Josie Hotel, raised $80,000 at the sold-out 2025 Perfectly Paired Chef’s Collaboration Fundraiser to support its new “Mental Health Matters” campaign. Held on March 8, the evening featured a multi-course dining experience by Celebrity Chef Bruno Feldeisen and Velvet Restaurant’s culinary team, paired with premium wines. Guests also participated in a silent auction, contributing to the foundation’s goal of raising $2 million for upgrades to mental health facilities in the Kootenay Boundary. With strong community support, the campaign aims to enhance care environments, reduce stigma, and expand access to essential mental health 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 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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