a stack of newspapers sitting on top of a wooden table | photo by annie spratt

📰 FCSSBC: May 22, 2024 Social Services Update

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unfold the recent happenings and advancements in social services

May 22, 2024

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Table of contents

  • Children & youth
  • FCSSBC: June 2024 current and emerging issues conference & AGM
  • Families & community
  • Youth bursary
  • Health & mental health
  • Week highlights
  • Toxic drugs
  • Housing & homelessness
  • Reconciliation
  • Disability
  • Good news

Children & youth

UNBC professor looking into why northern kids aren’t getting enough exercise | CKPG Today

A UNBC professor is leading a research project to improve physical activity among children in northern B.C. The ParticipACTION Children & Youth Report Card gave Canadian kids a D+ for overall physical activity. Dr. Taru Manyanga emphasizes the importance of exercise for children’s development and social bonding. The research project has found that children want to be part of the solution but face challenges such as lack of time and the cost of sports. The project also suggests combining screen time and exercise and improving access to physical activity through active transportation and sports facilities.

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Conference

June 2024: Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM

Presented by the Federation Association Benefit Plan

osoyoos conference visual identity: people with their hands in the air connecting with each other in a desert-y background | design by estella lum

Our June (from Thursday, June 13, 2024, to Friday, June 14, 2024) conference is designed to tackle the pressing issues that matter most to our members. Based on feedback from our members, we’ve tailored the agenda to cover current trends and emerging topics. The Federation AGM* on the final morning ensures we discuss these crucial issues and address organizational matters vital to our collective mission.

*AGM is exclusive to members.

Families & community

Grieving Okanagan mom uses her voice to help other families who lost a child | iNFOnews

A Lake Country mother, Toni Nicholl, who lost her daughter to cancer, advocated for changes to child disability benefits after facing financial struggles following her daughter’s death. The family faced financial hardship after their daughter’s passing, including being asked to repay child benefit amounts and having disability tax credit clawed back. An amendment in the 2024 Federal Budget was made to continue paying the Canada Child Benefit for six months after a child’s death, offering support to grieving families. Nicholl expressed gratitude for the change, highlighting how it could benefit other families in similar situations.

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Youth bursary

The Youth Education Bursary assists young people who are, or have been, in care and want to pursue a career in the field of Human Social Services. Since 2009, we’ve awarded $296,925 in bursaries to 217 recipients to help students with the financial costs of tuition, books, and supplies for post-secondary study. Donations from FCSSBC members and the public are welcome! Bursary applications are open until May 31, 2024.

The FCSSBC Youth Education Bursary

Health & mental health

Environment Canada adopts B.C. model to warn of smoke hazards | CBC News

Environment Canada has adopted a new approach to warn of smoke hazards, particularly during wildfire season. Changes include using a more comprehensive Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) that measures fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels hourly and issuing stronger air quality advisories. The goal is to inform the public better and help prevent health issues. The new system allows for more accurate and timely communication of air quality-related health risks, especially for at-risk groups such as those with respiratory or heart conditions, pregnant women, children, and the elderly. The changes aim to provide clearer guidance for individuals and organizations to adjust outdoor activities and take necessary precautions during periods of poor air quality.

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Week highlights

Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion 2024 | Canada

The third annual Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion (CCDI) is scheduled for May 23, 2024, with the theme “Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All”. This virtual event aims to kick-start National AccessAbility Week and unite individuals and organizations to shape accessible and inclusive communities and workplaces across Canada. The Congress is open to the public and will involve persons with disabilities, disability organizations, public and private organizations, academics, innovators, and thought leaders.

Toxic drugs

Deaths due to toxic drugs decreasing in region: B.C. Coroners Service Penticton Herald

The B.C. Coroners Service reported a decrease in unregulated drug deaths in the Kootenay Boundary region in 2024, with Nelson experiencing a drop in the number of deaths. The data revealed a reduction in the number of lives lost due to toxic drugs compared to the previous year. However, concerns were raised about the volatile and inconsistent drug supply, with fentanyl and its analogues being found in a significant number of test results. The closure of The Hub, a coordinated access site, could have a significant impact on the community, as it provided various health and social services, including an episodic overdose prevention site. Last year, Nelson had the third-highest unregulated drug death rate in the Kootenay Boundary region, with Cranbrook and Grand Forks leading the way.

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Housing & homelessness

Changes to Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation | E-know

The B.C. Ministry of Housing has announced changes to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation to provide more clarity and stability for tenants. The changes include allowing park rules to be changed only once a year with three months’ notice, aligning with other tenancy laws. These changes aim to prevent preventable evictions and ensure fairness throughout manufactured home communities in B.C. The updated regulation also specifies examples of park rules and emphasizes the requirement for tenants to comply with these rules.

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Reconciliation

Joan Phillip Reshapes What It Means to Be a First Nations MLA | The Tyee

Joan Phillip, a First Nations MLA succeeding Melanie Mark, has fearlessly taken on her role despite the challenges faced by Indigenous women in politics. She aims to be a strong voice for her community and enact meaningful change. Her tenure has seen successes in affordable housing initiatives and child protection laws. Joan’s activism, deeply rooted in her upbringing and experiences, drives her commitment to justice and environmentalism. Despite the harsh realities of politics, both Joan and Melanie advocate for systemic reforms and strive to uplift their communities, one step at a time.

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Disability

Guide-dog owners say new U.S. rules complicate border crossings | CBC News

The United States has announced updated guidelines for dogs entering the country to prevent the spread of rabies, with new requirements for microchipping, rabies vaccination, and appearance of health. Service and guide dog owners fear that these new rules will create challenges and potential denials at border crossings. Advocates argue that service dogs should not be treated the same as pets and express concerns about the impact of the new requirements on service dogs and their owners. While the CDC states that service dogs are subject to the same requirements as other dogs, accommodations and exceptions can be made. The new measures aim to prevent the reintroduction of the rabies virus in the U.S., but there are concerns about the potential impact on guide and service dog users’ freedom of access and travel.

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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 included 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 that’s relevant to our sector; inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

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