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Oct. 16 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

October 16, 2024

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Table of contents

  • Reconciliation
  • Reconciliation Book Club
  • Communities
  • Opportunities
  • Families
  • Social Policy Forum 2025
  • Youth
  • Career Opportunities
  • Children
  • BC Election
  • Good News

Reconciliation

BC Indigenous Chef Introduces Cooking Classes | CTV News

Chef Paul Natrall, a member of the Squamish Nation and founder of the Indigenous food truck Mr. Bannock, is launching a mobile cooking school called “Little Spirit Moon” to teach Indigenous cuisine across Vancouver. With over 15 years of experience and a background in French culinary training, Natrall aims to educate people about traditional Indigenous ingredients, cooking methods, and preservation techniques. The travelling kitchen, equipped with tools for canning, dehydrating, and smoking, will visit schools and offices to offer hands-on cooking classes that incorporate locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Natrall hopes to foster a deeper connection to Indigenous culture through food, whether participants are from First Nations or the wider community.

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Reconciliation Book Club

Bone Black

The Federation’s Reconciliation Book Club, designed to be inclusive and accessible for all staff in member organizations, is a key resource for increasing knowledge of reconciliation issues. Book Club members meet regularly to discuss a new book, and Federation staff ensure that the discussions are enriched with supplementary materials, including discussion questions, additional readings, and author and publisher information.

We invite you to join us for the next meeting of the Reconciliation Book Club on October 23, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Bone Black” by Carol Rose GoldenEagle. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/

Communities

Parents, Students Mark 1-year Anniversary of Port Coquitlam School’s Fiery Destruction | Global News

On the one-year anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed Hazel Trembath Elementary in Port Coquitlam, BC, parents and students gathered to reflect on the loss and the uncertainty surrounding the school’s future. The fire, deemed criminal in nature, has left the community without a timeline for rebuilding. In the meantime, 250 students have been commuting to the Winslow Centre, a temporary solution that many find unsatisfactory. While some students, like Grade 3 student Abigail Castirllon, have adjusted, the lack of playgrounds and sense of community is still deeply missed. To mark the anniversary, the school community visited the local fire hall to thank the firefighters who fought to save the school.

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Opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members stay up to date with what is happening across the community social services sector. Check our calendar for training opportunities, webinars, and events.

Families

Ten-Dollar-a-Day Child Care Is Winning the BC Election | The Tyee

In the upcoming BC election, all three major political parties support the $10-a-day child care program despite differing on specifics. Sharon Gregson, spokesperson for the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC, views the program as a success, noting its impact on families and child-care accessibility. The NDP has expanded affordable child-care spaces and increased early childhood educator wages, though gaps remain in achieving universal access and implementing a wage grid. The BC Conservatives criticize the program’s pace but propose expanding it while cutting regulations. The BC Greens focus on improving educator pay and expanding access to child care, echoing many advocacy goals.

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Save the date!

Social Policy Forum 2025

Our 2025 Social Policy Forum will occur on February 12, 13 and 14. We are excited to host this event again at The Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria. The Social Policy Forum is an opportunity for members, sector partners, and government colleagues to connect and explore the pressing social policy issues our organizations – and, more importantly, our communities – face today. Participants will learn more, discuss the impacts and consequences of social policy, and explore approaches that will move us forward in finding solutions and better ways to support our most vulnerable citizens. Please watch for more information, including hotel booking details.

Youth

Kelowna Program Supports Families of Teens with Substance Use Disorders | Vernon Morning Star

The Bridge Youth and Family Services in Kelowna has launched a new program to support families of teens dealing with substance use disorders. The program aims to provide parents and caregivers with education, resources, and strategies to help them navigate this challenging time. It includes workshops covering topics such as substance use education, recovery strategies, and communication within families. These sessions will be held on October 22, November 5, and November 19 at 5 p.m. Registration is required, and more information is available through The Bridge’s website or by contacting them directly.

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Career Opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members recruit and retain skilled staff. Click here to check the current opportunities.

Children

Vancouver Students Raise Funds to Equip High Schools with AEDs | City News

A group of Vancouver students is launching a fundraising campaign to equip high schools across the city with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) following the tragic death of a Grade 10 student from sudden cardiac arrest at Point Grey Secondary School, where no AED was available. Adviser Franco Ng highlighted that the Vancouver School District is currently the only major district in B.C. without AEDs, despite several students experiencing cardiac emergencies. AEDs have a 90% life-saving rate, making this initiative critical. The fundraiser will occur at five Purebread Bakery locations from October 12 to December 12, starting at the West 4th location.

Related:

BC Election

How Do British Columbia’s Three Main Parties Compare on These Election Issues? | CBC

Read the promises of British Columbia’s three main political parties on the pressing issues in the 2024 provincial election. The CBC will update these as parties add to their platforms ahead of the election.

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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