Please see below an important message from Community Living BC (CLBC) –
Update on COVID-19 vaccinations and information on second doses
Dear self advocates, families and service providers:
This week the government announced its re-start plan to carefully remove restrictions in four steps over the next four months. This is exciting news that you can read here! After many challenging months of dealing with the ups and downs of responding to the COVID pandemic, we can look forward to a gradual return to doing many of the things we miss by September.
To achieve this, we need to continue to work together to encourage as many people as possible to get their vaccinations so that case counts and hospitalizations continue to drop.
The purpose of this message is to give you an update on our work to make sure everyone eligible for CLBC services is able to get their first COVID-19 vaccination dose. And to provide some information to make sure you are registered to receive your second dose.
Update on work to prioritize everyone eligible for CLBC
On April 9, 2021, CLBC sent a message to our sector explaining that everyone eligible to receive services had been prioritized to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Teams of staff worked hard with the Ministry of Health to rapidly send out letters to more than 24,000 individuals. We are pleased to report that this project is complete and that everyone who wanted a vaccination should have now had the opportunity to receive their first dose.
Make sure you are registered for your second dose
To get your second dose, you need to be registered in the province’s Get Vaccinated System. If you already registered to receive your first dose, you don’t need to do anything and you will be notified by email, text or phone when it is your turn to book an appointment for a second dose. If someone registered for you, ask them to watch out for the booking invitation to book your second dose. The information will go to the email address or phone number that was provided at the time of registration.
If you aren’t sure you registered, you should try and register again. There is no harm in registering a second time.
There are two options:Online: https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/By phone: 1-933-838-2323. When it is your turn for the second dose, you will receive an email, text message, or phone call inviting you to book.
When you go for your second dose appointment, remember to bring your immunization record with you. If you need a copy of your COVID-19 record, you can register to view it at www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca.
Still not sure about a vaccination?
COVID-19 vaccinations are proven to protect you against severe COVID-19 and to help prevent transmission.
However, we understand that the decision to get vaccinated is not easy for some people. For example, some self advocates might be worried about getting a vaccination because of other health conditions. There may be some support workers who don’t feel they need to get vaccinated because they live in a part of the province that has not yet been hard hit.
Whatever your concern, please take some time to read information on the BC Centre for Disease Control web site here, and talk to your health care provider to help you make your decision.
Finally, please take some time to watch this short video of self advocates showing their leadership to encourage us all to get vaccinated, with support from provincial leaders.
Let’s all work together to help reduce transmission and achieve the government’s restart goals by September. CLBC will provide further details as they become available.
Posted: June 11, 2021 by cvsadmin
BC Self Advocacy Groups Events
The BC Self Advocacy Groups are leading a range of events. For more information, check out the factsheets below –
Posted: June 11, 2021 by cvsadmin
Family Support Institute of BC Statement Regarding Garth Home Society
We are sharing this information from The Family Support Institute of BC –
The Family Support Institute of BC has fielded many calls related to the recent article in the news that has prompted several investigations into Garth Homer Society. The Family Support Institute finds this troubling from a number of perspectives.
As a family driven organization supporting families province-wide who have family members with disabilities, to hear an organization such as this one staunchly stand by its employees rather than the vulnerable people it supports is extremely disconcerting. We expect that a person-centred model would be leading all community living organizations in their guiding principles and the values that drive them to do their work.
The bold statements made publicly by high level executives of the Garth Homer Society have raised concerns by families about the health and safety of their own family members who are in the care of this, and other Community Living Agencies. It has instilled a sense of uneasiness in many families. It is important to note that the vast majority of most Community Living Agencies do in fact follow a person centred model of practice, and place individuals at the centre of care in all of their work, including but not limited to health and safety.
Since this story broke in the news on May 29, 2021, FSI has remained accessible and available to any family member that requires additional guidance, to have their voices heard should they have any concerns about the care that their family members are receiving. Families are asking about Safeguards and Monitoring that are in place to keep their loved ones safe from negligence and harm. This would include access to supported decision-making tools and legal representatives to ensure the voices of people with disabilities are also embedded throughout this experience. CLBC has put out an official statement around their Safeguards and Monitoring Practices that can be read here.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please call FSI and we can support you to take other steps to ensure your loved ones are safe, and your voice and that of your loved ones, is heard during the process. Please take a moment to read these 2 articles for reference:
Posted: June 11, 2021 by cvsadmin
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Check out this new book released called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. This books provides a clear protocol and curriculum for delivering Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.
In addition to this book, there are free resources listed on the website to help with mindfulness. You can download these here.
Posted: June 9, 2021 by cvsadmin
Promoting Accessibility in the Post COVID-19 Era
Join our Board Chair, Jenna Christianson-Barker, as well as other speakers for this virtual event. This event will be on Tuesday, June 15th at 7-8:30pm. The topic of discussion will be Promoting Accessibility in the Post COVID-19 Era.
To register or submit questions in advance please email [email protected].
For more information, check out the information sheet below –
Posted: June 4, 2021 by cvsadmin
CVS 2020/2021 Outcomes Report
Community Ventures Society (CVS) has completed its 2020/2021 Outcomes Management Report.
What is the Outcomes Management measurement process?
In the surveys, in each of the areas of service, we gauge satisfaction including what we do well and what we can improve. The questions asked are rated on a Likert scale and can be answered in one of four ways: agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or disagree. Subsequently, the results are analyzed and measured to see if any trends emerge from the data. In some cases this year, new measurements are used and comparisons are generated through other data sources including Focus Groups. The results will then be folded into a Business Performance Measurement and Management Report that informs the activities of the organization over the next year. Last year, CVS changed its approach with the people we serve. Using our experience with Quality of Life/ Include me surveys, we update the questions we ask the people we support to reflect Quality of Life indicators. This year, we again filtered out 7 questions: covering each domain of the Quality of Life measurements:
Emotional well-being
Interpersonal relations
Material well-being
Personal development
Physical well-being
Self-determination
Social inclusion
Rights
How did we do?
We have performed well on most objectives, particularly in our satisfaction measures.
Our efficiency measures are positive with the exception of Community Inclusion service hours and overtime hours in our residential programs. Although Community Inclusion service hours can be explained through reduced service due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages and residential overtime is due to staff shortages, it has not affected our overall ability to provide quality supports.
Click on the link to access the complete CVS Outcomes Management Report 2020/2021.
Posted: June 4, 2021 by cvsadmin
Accessibility at Barnet Marine Park
We thought that we would make you aware of some new accessibility changes at Barnet Marine Park in Burnaby. To take advantage of these programs, visitors need to register as a participant in the City of Burnaby\’s accessibility program. To register, call 604-294-7222.
More information –
For more information, click here.
Posted: June 4, 2021 by cvsadmin
The Power of Disability Podcast
We wanted to make you aware of a podcast that is running called The Power of Disability. This is an inspiring podcast that provides some amazing stories and insight for individuals with disabilities, families and the community at large.
Host Al Etmanski brings enlightening conversations, featuring guests with disabilities who have been influential in arts, activism, science, and more. This series is a continuation of the work Al has shared in the book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World, which reveals that people with disabilities are the invisible force that has shaped history.
The podcast can be listened to online, through Soundcloud and YouTube. For more information, click here.
Posted: June 3, 2021 by cvsadmin
Every Child Matters
Most of you have heard of the news released last week, announcing that the remains of 215 children were found buried at a former BC Residential school. This announcement has rippled through our communities and brought sadness to us all.
Preliminary findings from a survey of the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School have uncovered the remains of 215 children buried at the site, the Tk\’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation said Thursday.
The First Nation said the remains were confirmed last weekend near the city of Kamloops, in B.C.\’s southern Interior.
In a statement, Tk\’emlúps te Secwépemc said it hired a specialist in ground-penetrating radar to carry out the work, and that its Language and Culture Department oversaw the project to ensure it was done in a culturally appropriate and respectful way. The release did not specify the company or individual involved, or how the work was completed.
\”To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,\” Tk\’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir said in the statement.
\”Some were as young as three years old. We sought out a way to confirm that knowing out of deepest respect and love for those lost children and their families, understanding that Tk\’emlúps te Secwépemc is the final resting place of these children.\”
For more information on the story, please visit the CBC story by clicking here. Also we recommend reading more about the impact this story has had surrounding residential schools by clicking here.
Community Ventures Society (CVS) stands with our indigenous communities as they mourn this atrocity. CVS lives and breathes the phrase \”every child matters\” in our daily work with children. We live and breathe the motto \”every human matters\” in our day-to-day as we spread the message of inclusion across our communities. We are totally devastated to hear about this news. CVS aims to support our indigenous communities in all ways possible and hopes for justice for any and all effected communities.
Posted: May 29, 2021 by cvsadmin
A Message from our Board of Directors – Executive Director Announcement
The Board of Directors of Community Ventures Society (CVS) is very pleased to announce that Linda King has been selected as the new Executive Director of CVS.
Linda has worked with CVS for over 29 years and has fulfilled a range of roles throughout the organization, most recently as the Senior Director of Operations. She is a respected leader both within CVS and in the community living sector. Linda is an integral part of the CVS family and is well loved by both staff and people served.
“The Board took the responsibility of selecting the next leader of CVS very seriously. With the professional support of the Leaders International team, a thorough and nationwide search was conducted to ensure we selected the best candidate possible to deliver on our mission of facilitating opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families so they can live the life they choose. We are very pleased to welcome Linda as our new Executive Director and have full confidence in her ability to lead CVS into this next phase of the organization,” stated Jenna Christianson-Barker, Board Chair.
When not at CVS, Linda enjoys and finds inspiration from the being outdoors, she loves to walk, hike and bike. She enjoys cooking, travelling and staying active. Linda lives in Coquitlam with her husband, adult children and her dogs.
“I am excited to start this new chapter at CVS. I look forward to building on what we have achieved over the past few years and moving forward in a progressive and collaborative way,\” shared Linda.
Please join us in welcoming Linda to her new role! Linda can be reached at [email protected].
Posted: May 28, 2021 by cvsadmin
Update from CLBC Regarding Vaccinations
Please see below an important message from Community Living BC (CLBC) –
Update on COVID-19 vaccinations and information on second doses
Dear self advocates, families and service providers:
This week the government announced its re-start plan to carefully remove restrictions in four steps over the next four months. This is exciting news that you can read here! After many challenging months of dealing with the ups and downs of responding to the COVID pandemic, we can look forward to a gradual return to doing many of the things we miss by September.
To achieve this, we need to continue to work together to encourage as many people as possible to get their vaccinations so that case counts and hospitalizations continue to drop.
The purpose of this message is to give you an update on our work to make sure everyone eligible for CLBC services is able to get their first COVID-19 vaccination dose. And to provide some information to make sure you are registered to receive your second dose.
Update on work to prioritize everyone eligible for CLBC
On April 9, 2021, CLBC sent a message to our sector explaining that everyone eligible to receive services had been prioritized to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Teams of staff worked hard with the Ministry of Health to rapidly send out letters to more than 24,000 individuals. We are pleased to report that this project is complete and that everyone who wanted a vaccination should have now had the opportunity to receive their first dose.
Make sure you are registered for your second dose
To get your second dose, you need to be registered in the province’s Get Vaccinated System. If you already registered to receive your first dose, you don’t need to do anything and you will be notified by email, text or phone when it is your turn to book an appointment for a second dose. If someone registered for you, ask them to watch out for the booking invitation to book your second dose. The information will go to the email address or phone number that was provided at the time of registration.
If you aren’t sure you registered, you should try and register again. There is no harm in registering a second time.
There are two options:Online: https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/By phone: 1-933-838-2323. When it is your turn for the second dose, you will receive an email, text message, or phone call inviting you to book.
When you go for your second dose appointment, remember to bring your immunization record with you. If you need a copy of your COVID-19 record, you can register to view it at www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca.
Still not sure about a vaccination?
COVID-19 vaccinations are proven to protect you against severe COVID-19 and to help prevent transmission.
However, we understand that the decision to get vaccinated is not easy for some people. For example, some self advocates might be worried about getting a vaccination because of other health conditions. There may be some support workers who don’t feel they need to get vaccinated because they live in a part of the province that has not yet been hard hit.
Whatever your concern, please take some time to read information on the BC Centre for Disease Control web site here, and talk to your health care provider to help you make your decision.
Finally, please take some time to watch this short video of self advocates showing their leadership to encourage us all to get vaccinated, with support from provincial leaders.
Let’s all work together to help reduce transmission and achieve the government’s restart goals by September. CLBC will provide further details as they become available.
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