BC Government: Province steps up support for community social services sector
Aug. 27, 2020
VICTORIA – Organizations and agencies in B.C.’s community social services sector will be better able to build capacity, support recruitment and retention, and improve occupational health and safety training programs for staff, thanks to $10 million in one-time funding from the Province.
“Over the past year, we have built a strong relationship with the community social services sector, which proved invaluable during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and enabled us to address emerging issues quickly,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Community social services sector agencies provide many services that British Columbians count on, and this new funding will help agencies meet the challenges of recruiting, training and retaining a skilled workforce.”
The funding will support training programs to agencies and organizations across the sector, including training and development for Indigenous agencies and Indigenous staff, foundational training and development opportunities, and occupational health and safety.
“Community-living home-share providers, and the agencies that support them, help people with developmental disabilities live more freely and independently,” said Brenda Gillette, CEO of BC CEO Network. “This funding will help us develop and deliver new readily accessible training that will ensure this foundational support is sustainable and available for the many people who rely on this option while simultaneously enhancing community living throughout B.C.”
B.C.’s community social services organizations, in partnership with government and other public sector agencies, provide vital services to some of the province’s most vulnerable people, including:
- people with physical, mental and developmental disabilities;
- Indigenous individuals and communities;
- at-risk youth;
- families and children with special needs; and
- women experiencing family violence.
“We know that violence can have devastating impacts on people and their families. Victims of violence deserve compassionate and comprehensive care,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This funding for organizations serving victims of crime will help ensure that staff have the needed skill and knowledge to deliver these services in their communities.”
Quick Facts:
- More than 80% of provincially contracted social services are provided by non-profit agencies.
- There are more than 2,000 agencies in the community social service sector that provide support to individuals and their families throughout B.C.
- More than 46,000 British Columbians work full or part time in the social services sector.
Learn More:
Learn more about the social services sector roundtable: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/initiatives/social-services-sector-roundtable
A backgrounder follows.
Contact:
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Media Relations
778 677-0870
BACKGROUNDER
Government funding provides training, programs
The Federation of Community Social Services of BC Society received $3 million to support agencies and organizations in the social services sector to deliver training programs to improve foundational knowledge and core skills, including leadership and management.
The Federation of Community Social Services of BC Society also received $1.4 million to deliver programs to community social service agencies to help them improve workplace health and safety and promote injury prevention throughout the sector.
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres received $3 million to deliver training and development programs to Indigenous organizations that will help strengthen capacity and increase the number of skilled Indigenous workers in the social services sector.
The BC CEO Network Association received $1.075 million to develop and deliver specialized training for personnel in the social services sector delivering community living support around the province.
Three organizations that provide victim services or anti-violence training receive $600,000 from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General:
- The BC Society of Transition Houses received $127,200 to support the recruitment and retention of staff who deliver programs to children and youth experiencing violence.
- The Ending Violence Association of BC received $338,400 for recruitment and retention training initiatives for staff who provide victim service and violence-against-women programs.
- Police Victim Services BC received $134,400 to support staff recruitment and retention.
The Aboriginal Housing Management Association received $100,000 and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association received $500,000 to work with BC Housing to develop training for community housing service provider employees, as well as educational and professional pathways into non-profit housing.
The Board Voice Society of BC received $200,200 to develop, manage, administer and deliver training workshops for board members of non-profit organizations in the sector.
Vela Microboard Association of BC, in consultation with the Family Support Institute of BC Society, received $125,000 to for recruitment and retention initiatives to assist individuals and families receiving Community Living BC support through individualized funding and person-centred societies.
Contact:
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Media Relations
778 677-0870
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect
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