Community Connections Support Services' Home on the Web
Community Connections Support Services envisions a vibrant and inclusive society that embraces equality and diversity by promoting racial and LGBTQ2S+ justice and eliminating discrimination for all.
We acknowledge the land that we live, work, and play on as the traditional territories of the Okanagan, Ktunaxa, and Sinixt Nations.
phone 250-491-2907
fax 1-866-728-2938
toll free 888-491-2907
email mail@commconn.ca
web commconn.ca
Kelowna
Unit 236
9- 3151 Lakeshore Road
Kelowna, BC V1W 3S9
West Kootenay
15B View Street
Nelson, BC V1L 2T9
East Kootenay
RPO PO Box 20004
Tamarack Mall
Cranbrook, BC V1C 6K5
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) is recognized each November and officially proclaimed by the government of B.C. to highlight and celebrate the unique contributions First Nations, Métis and Inuit people with disabilities make to communities throughout the province. Created by the BC Aboriginal Disability Network Society (BCANDS) in 2015, the month also brings awareness to the barriers and challenges that Indigenous people with the disabilities and their families face.
Vaccination remains an effective way to protect people from severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. It is important to stay up to date with COVID-19 booster shots, which help keep a high level of protection. Learn more about immunizations on the Government of B.C. website here.
Every year, December 3 marks United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day is about promoting the rights and well-being of people with disabilities and raising awareness of the inclusion of people in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
From November 20 to 22, the conference will draw delegates from throughout B.C. and across Canada for three days of learning, networking and engaging with colleagues in the community housing sector.
People First of Canada is a national organization representing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you are a People First member and you identify as being LGBTQIA2S+, you are invited to apply for their new working group that meets monthly. For more information or to join the group, please send an email to monica@peoplefirstofcanada.ca.
With the support of CLBC, Nidus is presenting an information webinar focusing on Representation Agreement Section 7 (RA7) and what happens after death. This session will provide you with valuable insights, practical tips and real-life experiences. All are welcome to attend including services providers, family members, persons with disabilities and CLBC staff.
Community Councils across the province are raising awareness on the topic of aging and helping to share information about planning supports available for people and families supported by CLBC who are getting older.
The recipients of the 2023 CLBC Widening Our World (WOW) Awards are being recognized with award presentation celebrations in their local communities for their inclusive hiring practices and workplaces.
Greetings from CLBC,
For more than two decades, CLBC has proudly marked the occasion of Community Inclusion Month in October. This month allows us to honor the dedication of individuals, families, and community members who tirelessly work towards creating more inclusive communities and opportunities for all British Columbians, especially those with developmental disabilities.
Every year, CLBC joins the Province and Inclusion BC to identify a theme that helps build awareness about the importance of including people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of their communities. This year, the focus for the month is to build awareness about the importance of including people with developmental disabilities in their communities in all aspects of society including living independently, access to healthcare, employment, cultural activities, recreation, and sport.
You can read the government Community Inclusion Month proclamation here.
Remember, we all play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive society. Here are some things you can do:
Every step we take forward together can make change. We thank all British Columbians for their support and contribution to fostering inclusive communities, places where everyone has possibilities and is welcomed.
Happy Community Inclusion Month 2023!
With warm regards,
Ross Chilton
CEO, Community Living BC
| Welcome to the September 2023 edition of CLBC’s Update for Individuals and Families. We hope you and your families have had a safe and happy summer. Our thoughts remain with everyone in our province who has been impacted by the wildfires.As we move into the fall, we look forward to once again sharing information, helpful resources and uplifting stories with you through this monthly Update.CLBC and Government NewsJoin CLBC’s September 20 open board meeting CLBC will be holding its next open board meeting from 9am to 12pm on Wednesday, September 20. CLBC eligible individuals, families, service providers and members of the public are welcome to join remotely via the Microsoft Teams meeting platform. You will hear project updates from CEO Ross Chilton on recruitment for our Board, a grant to an innovative new family group, a recent Board visit to the Gitxsan First Nation, our emergency housing supports trial, and CLBC’s partnership with Foundry. The meeting also includes a presentation from John Stinson, VP of Service Delivery and Innovation, on the Re-imagining Community Inclusion commitment to improve collaboration with the Ministry of Health on topics like access to health systems and aging. The meeting includes reports from the Chairs of our Indigenous Advisory Committee and Provincial Advisory Committee. To receive a link to join the meeting, send an email to padminee.chundunsing@gov.bc.ca along with your name and agency name (if applicable). Recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt DayCLBC respectfully acknowledges the upcoming Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 as a time of recognition to honour survivors, the lost children of residential schools, their families, and communities. In March of this year, the Province of B.C. passed legislation to make September 30 a statutory holiday. This gives more British Columbians the opportunity to get involved in advancing reconciliation by participating in local commemoration or education events, having important conversations with their families, friends and communities, and finding meaningful ways to learn more about our shared history.  Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that encourages all Canadians to wear orange to honour the children who survived residential schools and remember those who did not.The day was created based on the residential school experiences of the campaign’s founder, Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation.Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation here and about Orange Shirt Day here, including events taking place and resources for learning about Indigenous history and culture in Canada.  Connect with CLBC’s Provincial Community Engagement Lead  “Hi, my name is Brita Hall and I would like to introduce myself as the CLBC Provincial Community Engagement Lead. I am very excited to start my new role leading community engagement initiatives that help CLBC listen to, learn from, and partner with the people and families we serve and the communities that support them. This includes supporting the leadership of our CLBC Editorial Board, Provincial Advisory Committee, and 13 Community Councils. Let’s connect! Are you a self advocate, family member, partner organization and/or member of the community working to strengthen inclusion and connection in your community? Please reach out and let us know what you’re up to so we can share with others. If you would like to know how to get involved in community engagement activities at CLBC, including contributing to this CLBC Update for Individuals and Families, email me at CLBC.Connect@gov.bc.ca. I’d love to hear from you!” New L.I.F.E. SERVICE begins plans to expand in 2024 CLBC has targeted ten communities for this year’s expansion of the new L.I.F.E. service. A proposal letter was sent in August 2023 to qualified service providers in ten identified areas: North Shore area (including North Vancouver, Sea to Sky, Squamish, Bella Coola, and Powell River); Burnaby; Mission; Surrey/Delta; Victoria; Nanaimo; Vernon; Trail; Kamloops; and Kitimat. These areas were identified with input from CLBC regions about service provider and CLBC staff readiness. CLBC’s goal is to identify ten successful agencies by November 2023. The new services will begin development in January 2024. You can speak to your CLBC facilitator to find out about availability of the L.I.F.E. service in your area. Even if the L.I.F.E. service is not yet available in your area, CLBC encourages you to make a formal request for it through your local CLBC office. This will help us keep track of the interest for the service to support finding new service providers to deliver it in your area. Find more information on the L.I.F.E. service webpage here and you can also read Dalip’s story about accessing L.I.F.E. here. Specific wording requested in applications for Criminal Record Check Employer Accounts People who receive CLBC individualized funding – and hire staff with that funding – must have a Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) Employer Account number to request criminal record checks for any staff they hire with the funding provided by CLBC. Recently, the CRRP simplified the Employer Account application, and is asking that anyone who is receiving CLBC funding use specific wording in their application to streamline the processing time. You can find an example of a completed form with this specific wording and some additional supporting instructions on CLBC’s website here. When applying for an Employer Account, it is also important to note the CRRP no longer requires:Proof someone is receiving at least 50% provincial fundingA letter from CLBC to prove a person is contracting with CLBC (in some circumstances a letter might still be requested. Your CLBC analyst can provide it)Photocopies of the applicant’s identificationCLBC has updated our Frequently Asked Questions document and the Drivers’ Abstract Checklist to reflect the CRRP’s recent changes. Thank you for the WOW nominations!  CLBC’s annual Widening Our World Awards (WOW) celebrate people in B.C. who are working to make our communities more inclusive of people of all abilities. This year, we focused on employment to celebrate and highlight the work of inclusive employers across the province.Nominations closed last week on September 7, 2023. We are sending out a heartfelt thanks to everyone who took time from their busy days to submit a nomination for the 2023 WOW Awards. The evaluation committee is currently reviewing the nominations received to select this year’s recipients. We look forward to celebrating the recipients in their hometowns with friends, family, staff and service providers in October as part of Community Inclusion Month. Stay tuned to www.CommunityLivingBC.ca/WOW for updates on this year’s recipients. Moving, or thinking of moving? Learn more about CLBC’s Transfer PolicyWhen you choose to move to a new community in B.C., CLBC wants you to continue receiving the right services. CLBC’s Transfer Policy provides a clear understanding of what individuals and families should expect from CLBC when planning a move.With at least 90 days’ notice, we can carefully plan, help you understand the available services in different areas, and assist you in making informed decisions. Our goal is to minimize the possibility of service disruptions and ensure your needs are met in your new community.Here are the key steps for you to take if you are planning to move:Contact your CLBC facilitator or local CLBC office at least 90 days before you want to move. Your facilitator will let you know if your move is a ‘transfer’ and they will help plan with you so you can continue accessing CLBC services in your new community.Check the Transferring your CLBC Services page on CLBC’s website here for more information to help you better understand what to expect when transferring your CLBC services from one quality service area to another.  NextRide technology being expanded for BC Transit  BC Transit is receiving nearly $17 million to expand its NextRide digital system for its province-wide bus fleet. NextRide technology enables added accessibility for passengers with onboard automatic voice announcements and digital visual displays for the next bus stop location.“An upgraded NextRide will offer our customers real-time transit information about bus locations, route schedules and detours,” said Erinn Pinkerton, president and CEO of BC Transit, in a statement. “This modern technology helps riders better plan their travel, saving them time as they go about their day.” Learn more about NextRide here.Self Advocacy Corner BC People First presents on Language, Labels and Ableism How does language harm and how does language help? Join BC People First (BCPF) for an upcoming panel presentation called Language, Labels, and Ableism. Presenters who will be sharing their experiences include Margaux Wosk, Charlene Barney, Nicole Babor, Noel Anderson, Justin Albay and Jo-Anne Gauthier. The presentation takes place virtually on Tuesday, September 26 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm (PDT). Register here by September 23 to receive the Zoom login information. Join the People First Movement in British Columbia  Do you want to learn more about self advocacy and your human rights? Do you want to meet new people or share your experiences to help others? Become a BCPF Member – it’s free.BCPF is an independent non-profit society for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and self advocates from across British Columbia. It is membership-based and volunteer-run by self advocates for self advocates. Learn more about the many ways BCPF members get involved here. Please email hello@bcpeoplefirst.com if you have any questions. Register for the 22nd Annual Self Advocacy Leadership Retreat in Mission Join the next Self Advocacy Retreat in Mission, B.C. to learn more about advocacy, safety, rights, healthy relationships and how to become leaders in your own community. The annual event takes places at the Camp Luther Retreat Centre at 9311 Shook Road from October 27 to 29, 2023. The price is $270 (including tax) per person, which includes two nights and three days accommodations, healthy meals, registration, all workshops and recreation. Find full event details and registration instructions here. If you have any questions, please contact Coordinator Gregg Schiller at 604-688-7001 or by e-mail at GreggSchiller@shaw.ca. People Planning Together is coming to Kamloops The Empowering Self Advocates to Take Action Co-operative (ESATTA) and Speaking Up for Self Advocacy Awareness (SUSA) Society are co-hosting People Planning Together in Kamloops on September 14 and 15. People Planning Together is a two-day workshop for people with diverse abilities who want to take a lead in planning the life they want. Find full event details for People Planning Together along with registration instructions here.  Staying Supported and Connected Let’s Talk about Connections! CLBC’s Strategic Initiatives Advisors host a weekly virtual meetup called Let’s Get Together and Talk About Connections. You’re invited to join every Thursday at 12:00pm noon to hear about and share what’s happening around the province and in your own community. Learn more about this weekly event here. To join, go to this Zoom link, then enter the passcode: CLBC. You can also join over the phone by calling 1-778-907-2071  Emergency resources for people with disabilities Prepared BC is British Columbia’s emergency preparedness education program serving the general public, local governments, Indigenous communities and schools. They offer resources like this plain language handbook for Emergency Preparedness for people with disabilities. Follow Prepared BC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact PreparedBC@gov.bc.ca. Hang out with the Family Support Institute The Family Support Institute of BC offers various Family Hang outs and Learning Explorations.Family Hang Outs are a safe space for families and caregivers to come together for support, inspiration and troubleshooting. Sessions are either themed or open for general conversation. Learning Explorations are free online sessions that offer families, individuals, and professionals the chance to learn, connect and share on a variety of topics. Visit the FSI Calendar of events here for a list of upcoming hang outs and learning sessions. Please note: All FSI Zoom sessions can be accessed by telephone. If you need assistance registering for any session, please call the FSI office at 1-800-441-5403.  Understanding Home Sharing Contracts  Home sharing is an arrangement where an adult lives in a person’s home and receives support and services based on their personal goals and needs. Home sharing providers and the adults who live with them enrich each others’ lives, and they share experiences and rely upon each other’s skills.Home sharing services are offered in many ways. Some people live with a family, others live with a roommate or a couple, and some may live in a separate suite that is part of the home. The Home Sharing Support Society BC is hosting a free webinar called Understanding Your Home Sharing Contract. The webinar takes place Wednesday, September 20 from 10am to 11:30am (PDT) and everyone from the home sharing community is invited to attend. This event is an opportunity to gain valuable insights about home sharing contracts, and will feature a panel of experts discussing key topics as well as time for questions. Find full details and register for Understanding Your Home Sharing Contract here. Join the Burnaby Primary Care Network for the Fall 2023 virtual DocTalks Series The Burnaby Primary Care Network has been holding interactive webinars hosted by Burnaby doctors on different health related topics, so participants can have their questions answered. Attendees can join from any part of B.C. and all sessions are recorded and made available online. Topics for the upcoming Fall 2023 DocTalks series are:A-Typical: Learning how to support complex kids Friday, September 15 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm (PDT) How to support ageing adults with disabilities… and when? Friday, September 29 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm (PDT) Navigating medical and social supports for disabilities Friday, October 13 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm (PDT) Learn more and find all of the registration instructions here. CLBC Community Councils Volunteer on a CLBC Community Council! Do you care about building communities where everyone belongs? So do the volunteers on Community Councils! Community Councils are run by volunteers who work with CLBC and community partners to support the inclusion, citizenship and full participation of people with developmental disabilities. Council members also play an important role in providing information and advice on CLBC projects and strategic plan goals. Whether you want to explore becoming a member, join a Council meeting as a guest, or simply learn about what your local council is working on, our Community Engagement team can help you connect. Email CLBC.Connect@gov.bc.ca to get involved. Visit our website here for more information on CLBC Community Councils. Plan for a Better Future with the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council  Join the North Shore Sunshine Coast Community Council and Community Living Society for the upcoming presentation Plan for a Better Future – Aging Parents and Caregivers. This presentation will help parents and caregivers understand the power of planning in key areas for their loved one with a disability and think about ways to go from feeling unprepared to having peace of mind about the future. Speakers include Community Living BC, Community Living Society, Family Support Institute and PLAN BC. There will be refreshments and games.The event takes place Wednesday, October 11 from 10:00am to 2:30pm at Lynn Valley Town Centre in North Vancouver. Click here to see the invitation with full details. Seating is limited so anyone interested in attending is encourages to RSVP by September 30 to Rhea.Miguel@gov.bc.ca. Stories and Celebration September is Disability Employment Month  The Province of B.C. has again proclaimed September as Disability Employment Month. This month celebrates the significant contributions of people with disabilities and employers who demonstrate inclusion and leadership. The proclamation also affirms B.C.’s commitment to working with employers to recruit, retain and promote people with disabilities in their workplaces.You can read the official proclamation here and search for the hashtag #DisabilityEmploymentMonth on social media to see posts and updates being shared throughout September. Thank you to Inclusion BC who have created a webpage for employers and businesses to learn more about inclusive hiring including this video highlighting the importance of inclusive employment for people with developmental disabilities. Please share it with your networks to promote and celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month. Recognizing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prevention and Support Month  September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prevention and Support Month in B.C. and International FASD Awareness Day took place this past Saturday, September 9. This day and month are recognized to highlight the importance of not drinking alcohol for the full nine months of pregnancy, as well as to improve the prevention of FASD and increase access to diagnosis and support.The theme for this year’s FASD Awareness Month is Uniting our Strengths: Finding Solutions Together. Read a statement from Hon. Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, here and you can also learn more about FASD Awareness Month here. Follow the hashtag #FASDMonth2023 to see how community members, partners and organizations are working together to improve policy, practice, and awareness of FASD. On September 9, and throughout FASD Awareness month, many people wear red shoes to raise awareness and start conversations about FASD. Learn more about the Red Shoes Rock campaign here. Signing off We’re now just over two weeks away from Community Inclusion Month. Every October in B.C., Community Inclusion Month celebrates the valuable contributions that people with developmental disabilities make and recognizes the importance of communities where everyone is included. Stay tuned to CLBC’s Community Inclusion Month webpage here as October approaches and during the month as we will be sharing events, stories, community proclamations and information and also announcing the recipients of CLBC’s 2023 Widening Our World (WOW) Awards. Have an event, story or other highlight you’d like to share? Send an email to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca and let us know.  As we sign off this edition, we’d like to share a quote from Jacob, who lives on Gitxsan Lax ‘yip and receives services from Hazelton Community Services. Jacob tells us why supports in the community, and community inclusion, are so important: “I never used to really leave my house much or talk to people, but now my worker cracked me right open like a nut.” |
The Be Mental Health READY education bundle is an array of on-demand/self-paced mental health education sessions consisting of 14 topics with a total of 24 hours of video content that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. The information and resources included in the sessions are beneficial when supporting a client/student/patient/resident/family member/self
In honor of the upcoming Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 1-October 7), we are pleased to offer this bundle for only $75.00 for a limited time.
What is included for $75?
• Lifetime Access to Be Mental Health READY On-Demand Education Bundle (12 different mental health topics with 20 hours of video
content including the topics of suicide awareness, self injury and compassion fatigue). Each session includes signs/symptoms, tips and
strategies and valuable downloadable resources
• BONUS: Lifetime access to Be Mental Health READY On-Demand education sessions of Mental Illness in the Workplace and Substance
Use in the Workplace with a total of 4 hours of video content to help in maintaining a psychological healthy work environment. Each
session includes information on recognizing changes, engaging in conversation, aiding in crisis, discussing possible supports and your
next steps. Also included are downloadable resources
• BONUS: 31 Mindfulness Worksheets including a 12-page Mindfulness Guide and Journal
• BONUS: 17 audio Guided Meditations for sleep and stress/anxiety
To purchase your bundle for this limited time, please visit
https://mentalhealthready.thinkific.com/bundles/be-mental-health-ready
If your organization is interested in purchasing the bundle for your entire staff to access, it is being offered for a limited time for $499. Please email: loriveltkamp@mentalhealthready.com for more information on this option.
Upcoming Family Learning Explorations and training opportunities that may interest you and the person you support
 |
| Update on shelter rate increase for supported individuals in CLBC home sharing or staffed homes Further to the July 7, 2023 Info Bulletin on the CLBC Individual Financial Contribution Policy and the government’s shelter rate increase, we are writing to provide an update on the upcoming increases. The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR) is now implementing the shelter rate increases. To make sure all home sharing and staffed home providers can access the government’s $125 increase to the maximum shelter allowance rates for individuals on disability assistance, effective August 2023:CLBC’s standardized individual financial contribution rate for people who are under 65 and receive PWD will increase from $716.13 to $841.13. CLBC will provide an equivalent increase in payments to home sharing providers for people who are age 65+ and receive OAS/GIS. CLBC has worked with the Ministry to have increases for individuals under 65 flow through to home sharing and staffed home providers. If supported individuals do not have the right information in their Shelter Information Forms, additional steps may be required. CLBC has notified agencies about these individuals and the steps required to update Shelter Information Forms. The Ministry is recommending that individuals who need to submit an updated Shelter Information Form do so as soon as possible. SDPR has indicated that, even though the change may not be reflected in the July 19th, 2023 (August benefit month) cheque, the payment amount will be adjusted as per the start date reflected in the Shelter Information Form (eg. August 1, 2023). As noted above, CLBC will be providing increases to service provider Home Sharing contracts to match individual contribution rate increases for people age 65+ who receive OAS/GIS (i.e. $125/month increase for individuals on OAS/GIS effective August 1, 2023). The process for updating contracts takes some time and may differ among agencies. Increases will be retroactive. If you have questions regarding the timing and process for receiving this increase, please speak to your coordinating agency. Questions about the maximum shelter rate increase or how to update a shelter information form can be directed to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction through My Self Serve or by phone at 1-866-866-0800. |
| If you would like to be removed from this e-mail distibution list, please click here |
| Important information on upcoming PWD shelter rate increases |
| Hello Service Provider Colleagues, I am writing to you because your agency coordinates home sharing resources and/or staffed living services through contracts with CLBC. As I believe you are aware, Community Living BC has been working in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) to confirm under what circumstances individuals on disability assistance who reside in home sharing and staffed living services will automatically receive the $125 shelter rate increase. The increase was announced in the B.C. Government’s budget in February 2023 and goes into effect on August 1, 2023. Under CLBC policy, the shelter increase will be passed on to the individual’s home sharing or staffed living provider. MSDPR will be providing a message to all individuals on disability assistance in early July via My Self Serve or mail. The letter will include the following statement: “Clients who reside in Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) contracted residential facilities will have their CLBC standardized rate automatically updated to include the increase and no action is required.” This means that if the individual has the standardized rate of $716 or $716.13 registered as their current rental expense, they will see that amount automatically increase to $841 or $841.13. If an individual does not receive the current standardized rate of $716 or $716.13 from the Ministry, they may need to update their information by completing a Shelter Information Form (HR3037) and submitting it through MSDPR’s My Self Serve system at Myselfserve.gov.bc.ca, or in an MSDPR office. If an individual is not sure what their current shelter allowance is, they can check My Self Serve, review their last direct deposit cheque statement or review their cheque stub if they receive a paper cheque from the Ministry. When completing the Shelter Information form (HR3037), in the section titled “Type of Rental Accommodation”, they should check “D. Other” and please specify “CLBC Home Share Provider”. In the section titled “Accommodation Information”, they should include the new Total Rent of the Unit (i.e., $841.13). In the first couple of weeks of July, CLBC will be sending you a list from MSDPR of individuals who are receiving home support services through your agency and who do not have the standardized rates registered with MSDPR. Because of the tight turnaround time before disability assistance is disbursed, we recommend that if individuals know they have non-standardized rates, they update their shelter information with MSDPR by July 10 or sooner. If an individual is unable to make that timeframe, the Ministry can process their shelter information form anytime and issue a separate payment for the August benefit month based on the individual’s form confirming the change happened for August 1, 2023. Thanks in advance for your assistance in communicating with individuals, their families and their home support providers to ensure they are fully aware of these changes to their shelter rate and what steps they may need to take to receive it. Individuals with questions about the shelter increases should be directed to MSDPR through My Self Serve or, where the individual is not registered for My Self Serve, by contacting the Ministry at 1-866-866-0800. Sincerely, John Stinson VP, Service Delivery and Innovation Community Living BC |
| Learn about CLBC’s Cultural Safety Principles in new video |
| Dear Service Providers, In the fall of 2022, Community Living BC created its first Cultural Safety Policy. The policy describes cultural safety principles and practices that will guide how CLBC staff and service providers engage, support, monitor, and plan with First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, as well as their families, support networks and communities. This policy is an important step towards ensuring CLBC’s and the community living sector’s actions align with the rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is a key goal of our current Strategic Plan. CLBC has created a new video to raise awareness and understanding of the six principles that guide the Cultural Safety Policy:Culturally Responsive ProgrammingIndigenous Anti-RacismIndigenous Trauma Informed and Responsive ApproachPromoting, Maintaining and Sustaining ConnectionsPerson-Centred ApproachPromoting a Coordinated Service Approach Click here to watch CLBC’s Cultural Safety Principles video The video, along with the Cultural Safety Service Provider Practice Guide, is a tool to support service providers and CLBC staff to learn how to offer our services in ways that are as culturally safe as possible. If you have any questions, please email CLBCIndigenousPracticeAdvisor@gov.bc.ca. kinanâskomitin ᑭᓇᓈᐢᑯᒥᑎᐣ Joanne Mills VP, Quality Services and Indigenous Relations Community Living BC |
Virtual Training
Mental Health First Aid
The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health problem within a given year. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes towards individuals living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appropriate support to people around them.
What is Mental Health First Aid? This virtual certified 9-hour training course is a program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Participants will learn how to:
Course consists of 3 modules and will include discussion, videos, and scenarios
Module 1: Introduction to MHFA – Self Directed (approx. 2 hours)
Module 2: MHFA for Declining Mental Well-Being – Virtual Classroom Model (3.5 hours)
Module 3: MHFA for Crisis Situations – Virtual Classroom Model (3.5 hours)
Available dates and times:
Module 2 – Thursday, June 8 – 9:00-12:30 PST
Module 3 – Friday, June 9 – 9:00-12:30 PST
Requirements
Participants must complete the self directed 2-hour Module 1 before attending the virtual Modules 2 and 3. Attendance is required at both virtual modules in order to receive a certificate. Participants must have access to Zoom (zoom meeting ID and password will be given after registration) and a computer with microphone capabilities. A working camera is highly recommended.
Registration
Cost is $225.00 per person and includes a certificate of completion. Please note that each session is limited to 15 participants and spaces fill up quickly. To register or for more information, please call or email:
Lori Veltkamp 403-942-5250 Email: loriveltkamp@mentalhealthready.com
