Hey everyone, we were notified this morning that Inclusion BC has rescheduled its annual conference to October 4-6, 2020 in Surrey, B.C. The conference was scheduled to take place in May. Here is a link to the new conference info page.
INFO: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Hey everyone, BC Housing has a page with information on COVID-19 (coronavirus). This page is geared towards getting prepared as housing and service providers. Check it our for:
- resources and information specific to BC
- information from the Government of Canada
- regional, provincial and national health resources
- a COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Housing & Service Providers
- planning templates and suggested action steps: communicating, response planning, and situation monitoring
We have also posted previously about COVID-19, check out our other posted info here:
MARCH 11: Wash Your Hands!
MARCH 9: INFO: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
MARCH 5:INFO: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
WE HEARD YOU: Did you know…?
Each year we send out a survey and ask for your feedback. Last spring, we asked you two questions about your quality of life in your community:
- How could all services in your town better meet your needs?
- Is there anything that you would like to see in your community that speaks to your interests?
We got back lots of ideas about services, about recreation, and about transportation. Thanks!
Since we looked at the ideas and suggestions we got back, it seemed to us that people might not know that their communities are working hard to meet these needs – so we thought we would share what we know is currently going on.
Here is some information about what’s going on in the Okanagan, and in our Province:
Here is some information about what’s going on in the Kootenays, and in our Province:
Check it out! Feel free to pass along to others.

INFO: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hey everyone, in addition to our last post, we are passing along more information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) as it comes to us.
First – from our friends over at COPCS:
- Information about the COVID–19 virus through the BC Centre for Disease Control Website
- Information by phone through the Government of Canada Coronavirus Information Line: 1-833-784-4397
- Ongoing by phone through Health Link BC: 811
Second – from the BCCEO Network:
- a memo from CLBC CEO Ross Chilton with information on what CLBC is doing
Please remember to wash your hands often, and to stay home if you’re feeling sick.

INFO: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hey everyone, there’s been lots in the news lately about COVID-19, the newly identified respiratory disease that is also known as the coronavirus.
We want to support everyone to stay informed, and to stay healthy. HealthLink BC has some good information on their website. They also provide it in PDF format, as well, if you would like to print off. Check it out.
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-covid-19

OKANAGAN: Lunch and learn!
Hey everyone, join Becky from posAbilities in Kelowna or Penticton this April for a lunch and learn discussion about Navigating Restrictive and Prohibitive Practices in a Home-Share Setting. Details below!

HOME SHARE: Share your story!
Hey everyone, check out this opportunity to share YOUR home share story!
Request for Stories from Home Share Providers, People living in Home Share and their Families
As part of updating CLBC’s Home Share Handbook, the Home Sharing Handbook Working Group Committee has made an extensive revision of the various existing handbook materials, identified additional topics of importance that have surfaced in conjunction with the frequently asked questions about Home Sharing. The first draft of this project is to design a new resource handbook called an ‘Introduction to Home Sharing’ with specific go to references for Home Share Providers, People living in Home Share and for the persons family. Included in the content of this resource will be stories and videos about experiences in Home Sharing. These stories will invite enthusiasm and provide clear insight as to what Home Sharing exactly means.
If you are presently a Home Share Provider or a Person Living in Home Share or a family member, please share your stories! Your experiences with Home Sharing are valuable and important in understanding what Home Share truly means. Everyone’s successes tell a different story. We understand every person with diverse abilities assisted in Home Share are unique and come from different cultural backgrounds. The composition of the family of Home Share Providers varies as does living in rural regions.
Please forward your stories by Monday, March 16th, 2020. You can do so either by email to adultcare@shaw.ca or by mail to COPCS, 1844 Golbeck Court, Kelowna, BC, V1P 1L7. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at 778-753-2625. We look forward to hearing your stories and inspiration! Please share this email with your Home Share networks.
Sincerely,, Margaret Milsom & Jack Sawatzky (Committee Members of the Home Share Handbook Working Group)

MANDT Training!
Hey everyone, there is a MANDT training opportunity coming up in Castlegar on March 12th. Check it out – sign up by March 5th.

WK: First Aid in Fruitvale
Hey everyone, there is a First Aid course coming up in April in Fruitvale – check out the information here:
FREE: Workshops & Webinars
Hey all, COPCS has sent around a few links to upcoming free workshops
offered by Alzheimer Society of BC. There are webinars available as well! Check out the regional links below.
You can also sign up to receive their First Link Bulletin by email: info@alzheimerbc.org