Weekly Update
May 19, 2016
1. Residential Review and community engagement
As many of you are aware, The Federation has been working with MCFD to support the implementation of the recommendations contained in the joint Residential Review final report. I am continually impressed by the commitment shown by all those involved in the review consultations and their desire to keep moving forward. This was not just another report. The people who gave their time and shared their personal stories and ideas continue to push for these changes.
The same is true for The Federation. Encouraging a stronger and more meaningful MCFD community engagement approach has been (and continues to be) a large part of The Federation’s role in this ongoing work. I have said many times that we need to shift our thinking and change the perception that the community sector is an “add-on” or “substitute" when it comes to social care. This goal both drives our approach to leadership development and our community engagement work with MCFD. We all need to be on the same page and pulling in the same direction for change to occur.
Most recently, this work has focused on the coordination and development of a community engagement plan for the Children and Youth with Complex Care Initiative in B.C. The initiative involves complex care intervention, provincial outreach, a complex care unit in Burnaby, and complex care community bed sites in Vernon and Prince George.
Later this month, The Federation and MCFD will be hosting two webinars focused on programs and services related to this complex care initiative. These webinars will go over details of the provincial resources available to young people with complex care needs and will answer questions about how these resources will work for the people you serve.
As complex care services are a province-wide resource, we encourage all Federation members to participate in these learning sessions. The webinars will take place on May 30 from 2:30–4:00 and June 2 from 10:30-12:00. For more information about these webinars visit The Federation website. If you have other questions about Residential Review community engagement contact Kathy at The Federation office.
I want to thank all of our members who continue to ask questions, who reference the joint review and its recommendations in their work, and, most of all, continue to advocate for these important and necessary changes. Your passion and commitment will help ensure that the work put into the Residential Review will result in the changes that young people in care so desperately need.
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