Parent Advocacy Network is currently running a #BuildSchoolsRight campaign. Many communities in BC desperately need new schools—to replace old schools that are seismically unsafe and contain health hazards like asbestos and lead, and to replace portables in communities that are rapidly outgrowing their existing schools. However, communities overjoyed to finally receive MORE
McCreary Centre Society released the 2018 BC Adolescent Health Survey. The Survey is the most reliable, comprehensive survey of youth aged 12–19 in British Columbia. The survey was first conducted in 1992 and has been completed every five years since. In 2018, over 38,000 young people aged 12–19 in 58 of MORE
Ready to Rent BC Association and Aunt Leah’s Place partnered on the Landlord Risk Mitigation Funds Report in 2018. They built the landlord mitigation fund toolkit to introduce a new program option to agencies and advocates dedicated to removing barriers to housing. Based on what they learned from this project, they are MORE
Lord Strathcona Elementary parents and concerned community members are calling on Mayor Kennedy Stewart and City Council (Vancouver) to “reject the proposed cuts to the Food4Schools Program, restore full funding for the program, and identify permanent funding.” Add your voice to the call here.
The Children’s Play Policy Forum believes that play is a powerful builder of happy, healthy, capable children. Researchers have found that “play builds resilience and is a significant part of the solution to the crisis in childhood…” And, the benefits of play extend beyond the child “to families, communities and society.” MORE
The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness is seeking presenters for the 2019 National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Edmonton, Alberta – November 4-6, 2019. They are inviting proposal submissions on a range of topics including Youth Homelessness. Apply online here.
The Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) has launched #BuildSchoolsRight, a quick and easy email tool to tell BC’s government leaders that it’s time to update the school design policy for new schools, as new schools are on average 30% smaller and lack important learning and community spaces. Take a minute to MORE
Last week BC’s provincial heath officer (PHO), released the report, Taking the Pulse of the Population: An Update on the Health of British Columbians. One of the four areas highlighted for more attention is early childhood development. The report recommends that government increase support for programs and policies that focus MORE
The Power of Play first aired on CBC-TV on January 20th. This must-watch documentary explores the importance of play to childhood development and to good mental health for adults. If you missed it, you can watch it online here.
An article by the Discourse highlights the limited number (16) of Indigenous Roots workers employed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development for working with children and youth in care who are not cared for by Delegated Aboriginal Agencies. The ministry is mandated by legislation to ensure that Aboriginal MORE
This week, the Representative of Children and Youth released their ‘Alone and Afraid: Lessons learned from the ordeal of a child with special needs and his family’ report. The report shared the story of a boy removed from his mother’s care in 2016. He had endured years of malnutrition and MORE
The #AllOnBoard Campaign stands for affordable and accessible transit based on income in Metro Vancouver to ensure our communities can access public transit to live, work and thrive. Port Moody City Council met on December 4 and voted to endorse the #AllonBoard Campaign, as moved by Councillor Amy Lubik. You MORE
CHEK: West Coast LEAF says further progress is needed for B.C. to meet international women’s rights obligations Tri-City News: PoMo council wants free transit for youth APTN National News: ’A turning point’: New Indigenous child welfare legislation will save lives says Philpott The Tyee: Good Intentions on Indigenous Child Welfare MORE
A Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s news release alerts us to the stalling of Bill S-228, The Child Health Protection Act, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children) in the Senate due to industry lobbying. “This is exactly why MORE
Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement, supported by research evidence, warning parents against spanking their children, defined as “non-injurious, open handed hitting with the intention of modifying child behavior.” They cite a study in the U.S. that found children who were spanked more than MORE