On June 15th, Senator Art Eggleton tabled a motion calling on the federal government to launch a national nutrition program for children and youth. The Coalition for Healthy School Food has been advocating for a national school food program since 2013. Coalition Coordinator Carolyn Webb explains that only one-third of MORE
First Call is organizing a Public Education Forum on September 22nd, 2018. We have created a short survey that will help us collect thoughts and ideas about topics of interest. We would like to hear your thoughts. Your participation will ensure this event is topical and relevant to your work.
GreenPAC is a non-partisan organization that believes Canada needs strong political leaders who are driven to take action to protect the environment. They are currently accepting applications for the GreenPAC Parliamentary Internship in Ottawa for young people ages 18-30 who are passionate about politics and the environment. The program runs from mid-September MORE
This research points to the importance of school-led social and emotional learning in promoting positive mental health. The paper highlights the multi-faceted approach undertaken in British Columbia over the past decade to promote positive mental health through social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools. SEL has been implemented in school curriculum, recently in MORE
The rate of childhood obesity in Canada has been rising steadily in recent decades and being overweight or obese impacts the mental health and well-being of children, as well as other aspects of their lives. There is unequivocal evidence that the marketing of unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages has a negative impact MORE
Superintendent of Schools for the Gold Trail School District, Teresa Downs, presented at the Columbia Institute’s Centre for Civic Governance 2018 High Ground: Communities for All event in March 2018. Her speech about the district’s experiences and responses to their White Privilege Campaign was incredibly moving and inspiring. The speech MORE
The program offers bursaries designed to enhance educational outcomes for BC youth. The funds are intended to assist in supporting youth during their studies including but not limited to costs of tuition and costs directly and indirectly related to post-secondary. The two bursaries are valued at $1,000 each. Deadline is April MORE
Youth in Care Canada is administering this scholarship program in partnership with Ken Dryden for youth who are or were in the child welfare/protection system. Each scholarship covers up to $3,000 or 80% of the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less, and is renewable annually, based on reasonable MORE
The province is holding a consultation on how to prevent sexual violence on post-secondary campuses. Feedback will help determine whether government can do more to ensure, informed, safe and healthy post-secondary campuses. Post-secondary students are asked to review their institution’s sexual violence and misconduct policy and then complete an online MORE
Data in the First Call 2017 BC Child Poverty Report Card, released November 21, highlights how growing income inequality among BC families has one in five, or 18.3%, of our children living in poverty. Other key findings from the 2015 data include: This represents 153,300 children under age 18, a decrease MORE
Data in the 2017 BC Child Poverty Report Card, released today by First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, highlights the income inequality that leaves far too many British Columbia families struggling to cover basic living expenses. One in five of our children still lives in poverty. Using the MORE
First Call’s budget submission to the provincial Finance Committee for the 2018 budget makes 23 specific recommendations covering early childhood, public education, poverty reduction, supports and services for vulnerable children, youth and families and post-secondary education. Some highlights are: Redesign the BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit into a BC Child MORE
The New Relationship Trust Foundation (NRT Foundation) has launched a new $1 million Indigenous Early Years Scholarship and Bursary program. Made possible with the support of the Provincial Office for the Early Years, eligible program types include certificate, diploma and associate’s degree programs. For more information contact Senior Project Officer MORE
The provincial government has expanded an existing tuition waiver for former youth in care. The advancement expands existing tuition waivers from 11 schools to all 25 of BC’s post secondary institutions, a request made in this First Call letter last year. Bernard Richard, BC Representative for Children and Youth (RCY), welcomed the necessary expansion MORE
First Call and partners met with Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Honourable Shane Simpson, on August 24, 2017. The minutes from that meeting can be found here.