In June, First Call sent in our submission to the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth Special Project on Children and Youth with Neuro-Diverse Special Needs. We note appreciation for the Committee’s interest in the experiences of families raising children with neuro-diverse special needs in seeking assessments and access MORE
On November 2 2017, First Call sent Minister Dix a letter asking for more details about this change from his ministry, and for the minimum outdoor play space per child to be increased. Sue Bedford, Director of Community Care Facility Licensing and Assisted Living Registry, responded on Minister Dix’s behalf on October 31, 2017, explaining MORE
Media Release November 20, 2018 First Call’s Annual 2018 Child Poverty Report Card Finds One in Five Children Still Poor (Vancouver BC) Today, First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition released its annual BC Child Poverty Report Card finding that not much has changed for poor children and their families. MORE
On October 16, 2018, First Call sent a letter to Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen on behalf of the Early Childhood Development Roundtable. The roundtable has been discussing concerns arising from the experiences of families who have children with special needs about the fees they are being MORE
This spring the Government of Canada invited responses to a proposed new framework for a human rights-based approach to housing. First Call’s submission recommended the federal government focus on four areas of action: ensure access to safe and affordable housing for children and youth who live in households struggling with MORE
On May 24, 2018, First Call presented to the Joint Public Meeting of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and TransLink’s Board of Directors. First Call’s comments added to those from a delegation of speakers including the Single Mothers’ Alliance of BC and the TripEd Campaign. First Call drew attention MORE
February 2018 Highlights this month include: MCFD reps at upcoming First Call Coalition Meetings to discuss BC Budget Living Wage petition for Capilano University cleaners Update: Review of the Representative for Children and Youth Act New team members join First Call and Living Wage Campaign Don’t miss the award-winning Liyana MORE
Each year First Call publishes a BC Child Poverty Report Card, analyzing the latest federal and provincial data to accurately portray the extent of child and family poverty in our province. In 2017, using the most recent available data, we found that 153,300, or 1 in 5, BC children are MORE
First Call meets Ministers – Fostering Change campaign – New team member – and more! Noveber 2017 Highlights this month include: 2017 BC Child Poverty Report Card Fundraising gala set for February 1, 2018 Call to increase child care outdoor play space First Call out and about First Call correspondence MORE
Youth Policy Options Day – BC 2018 Budget Submission – Opioid Action Plan – and more! October 2017 Highlights this month include: First Call Youth Policy Options Day BC 2018 Budget Submission Call to increase child care outdoor play space BC Opioid Action Plan open letter First Call out and MORE
With unanswered questions about why the minimum outdoor play space per child as determined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation was reduced from 7 square metres for licensed child care programs to 6 square metres, First Call sent Minister Dix a letter asking for more details about this change from his ministry, MORE
First Call has submitted a written brief, Respecting Child & Youth Rights with Timely Investments, to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of their public consultation to prepare British Columbia’s 2018 budget. Each fall, the Committee drafts recommendations for the provincial budget based on the MORE
Provincial election toolkit – new coalition members – First Call input on child care funding – and more! March 2017 Welcome to our monthly update about First Call’s advocacy work and key developments in child and youth policy in BC. Highlights this month include: First Call’s provincial election toolkit is MORE
March 16, 2017 Honourable Terry Lake Minister of Health PO Box 9050 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Dear Minister Lake, I am writing on behalf of First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition’s Early Childhood Roundtable to inquire about the change made to the Child Care Licensing MORE
We’re hiring – federal policy lowers living wage – federal progress update – restore aboriginal youth funding – sanctuary schools – and more! April 2016 Welcome to our monthly update about First Call’s advocacy work and key actions you can take to support children and youth in BC. Highlights this MORE