Selfadvocatenet.com coverage of the Corona Virus Pandemic

Welcome to the August 27, 2021 edition of CLBC’s Update for Individuals and Families. As a reminder, you can find all Updates (including past editions) posted on our website here. You can also check out CLBC’s Facebook page here and Twitter page here. If you know of anyone who would like to receive future Updates, please share the link to our sign up page with them. If you have a specific question, or feedback about this update, you can send an email to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca.

CLBC and Government News

B.C. launches proof of vaccination requirement

A new order issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer will require people to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination at certain social, recreational and business settings and events across B.C. These include indoor ticketed sporting events, indoor and patio dining in restaurants, fitness centres, casinos and indoor organized events, like conferences and weddings.

You can read the announcement here, and also visit the Proof of Vaccination webpage here for full details, including a list of locations and events that require vaccination proof.

Starting September 13, 2021, people aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of one vaccine dose to enter certain places and events. As of October 24, entry to these settings will require people to be fully vaccinated, with at least seven days having passed since their second dose.

A secure weblink will be provided and publicized before September 13, where people will be able to confidentially access their proof of vaccination. Individuals will be able to save a copy of their proof of vaccination to their phone to show it when entering or using designated businesses and events. There will be a secure alternative option for people who cannot access their proof of vaccination online.

Many self advocates are getting their vaccinations. You can too!

To get the most effective protection against serious cases of COVID-19, you need two doses of vaccine. Many individuals, family members and support workers have already gotten their vaccinations. But we know some are still worried and have questions.

Visit the CLBC website here to find video messages from Dr. Bonnie Henry and self advocates from across B.C. to let those who may be hesitating know that they can get their shots too!

If you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet or if it’s been more than 28 days since your first dose, visit a drop-in clinic today and get protected from COVID-19. To find a vaccination clinic near you, visit the Vax for BC website here.

And we know there is a lot of COVID-19 vaccine information but not all of it is reliable. You can visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website here to find tips to help you spot misinformation, and a list of links to trusted information sources.

Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces 

To help slow the transmission of COVID-19 as B.C. prepares for the fall and respiratory illness season, masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout the province.

This new order from the Provincial Health Officer requires people 12 and older, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in indoor public settings including malls, shopping centres, libraries, retail shops, grocery stores, restaurants, pubs, public transportation, common areas of fitness centres and airports. Click here for more information about this order, including a list of indoor settings that require masks to be worn.

This temporary order will be reassessed as the B.C. vaccine card requirement is fully implemented in certain social and recreational settings.

Reminder: Interim Guidance for Flexible Respite ends September 30, 2021

This is a reminder to families who do not have residential services as part of their contract, that under the Interim Guidance: Flexibility for Direct Funding and Person-Centred Societies, you can continue to use direct funding for respite flexibly until September 30, 2021. Prior to the end of September, CLBC will be announcing the updates we are making to our on-going respite policy that incorporate some of the learnings from people’s experiences during the pandemic. We look forward to sharing that information with individuals and families.

You can find the interim guidance here along with Frequently Asked Questions and a plain language summary to help you understand how to use the interim guidance. You can also find ideas on how to stay connected and how to use funding flexibly in this Resiliency Guide, connection and support resources document, and in the Family Support Institute’s Calendar for Connection.  Families are also encouraged to check out Support Worker Central, a website dedicated to connecting individuals and their families with support workers in their communities through a free online database. The Family Support Institute and Vela Canada are also available to provide support and solutions, particularly around respite.

Simplified resources support completion of criminal record checks

Vela Canada has developed a series of factsheets, documents, and an overview video to help direct funded agents, microboards and person centered societies complete the requirement to ensure their staff, who will be working with people CLBC serves, are cleared through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s (PSSG) Criminal Record Review Program. PSSG’s Criminal Record Review legislation requires that anyone working with vulnerable adults must be cleared through a criminal record check before beginning work.

You can find Vela’s plain language resources about criminal record checks for microboards here and for people who receive direct or individualized funding here.

Recently, CLBC released our updated Criminal Record Check Policy: Service Delivery that incorporates PSSG’s 2015 and 2019 legislative changes. You can find CLBC’s updated policy and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here on our website (note the FAQs are updated as needed).

CLBC is also working with PSSG on an interim measure to ensure that people and families who hold CLBC contracts have some flexibility in meeting criminal record check requirements, in recognition of the current longer processing times for these checks through PSSG. The information about this interim measure for criminal record checks is expected to be available in early September, and CLBC will share it through email, mail and in an upcoming family bulletin and on our website.

Vela Canada is also planning on hosting information sessions in the next few months to walk through applying for an employer Criminal Record Check account, and address other questions related to the recent updates to this process. Dates and times for these sessions will be posted in the near future here on their website.

Submit a WOW Award nomination to recognize an inclusion champion by September 9

Are you a self advocate with someone in your life who made sure you continued to have a good quality of life throughout this past year? Or do you know someone who has helped the people CLBC serves to stay hopeful and supported them along the way? You can shine a spotlight on their efforts by nominating them for a CLBC Widening Our World (WOW) Award!

They could be a friend, family member, home sharing provider, support worker, employer or anyone else in your life. We know people are doing great things and we want to hear all about them!

Click here to nominate someone. Nominations close on September 9, 2021 at 5:00p.m.

Staying prepared during B.C.’s wildfire season

Although cooler temperatures are on the way, wildfires are still affecting many areas of the province. If you live or work in an area at risk of wildfire, it’s important that you take time to get ready for one and have a plan. Being aware and prepared is the key to staying safe during the wildfire season.

You can visit the CLBC website here to find helpful information and resources to be prepared, as well as what do to in the case that you are evacuated from your home. PreparedBC has also created this resource to help people with disabilities plan for natural disasters.

The provincial government has announced that they are teaming with the Canadian Red Cross to provide additional financial assistance to help people meet the immediate needs associated with being evacuated due to wildfires. You can learn more about this here.

Elections Canada helps make voting accessible

A federal election will take place on Monday, September 20. Elections Canada understands that people with disabilities face barriers to participating in elections and works to make voting as accessible as possible for all Canadians.

You can read information from Elections Canada for people with disabilities here, and learn about the tools and services that are in place to support accessible voting here.

You can also learn more about how to vote, including the dates for advance voting, here.

Staying Connected and Supported

Coping with natural disaster stress

B.C.’s wildfires and floods can be a major source of stress and anxiety for many people in our province. For anyone experiencing these feelings, know that you are not alone. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has a number of suggestions for dealing with the stress of natural disasters, including being prepared, taking case of ourselves, asking for help and helping others. You can read more about these tips, and find helpful links and resources on the CMHA website here.

For those needing immediate help for stress, these free, confidential support and crisis lines are available 24/7:

• KUU-US Indigenous line – 1-800-588-8717
• Interior BC Crisis Line – 1-888-353-2273 (chat and text services available)
• Northern BC Crisis Line – 1-888-562-1214
• BC Mental Health Support Line – 310-6789 (no area code required)
• BounceBack
• Canadian Mental Health Association location finder

Emergency preparedness for people with disabilities

While disasters and emergencies affect everyone, their impact on people with disabilities is often compounded by factors such as reliance on electrical power, elevators, accessible transportation and accessible communication, all of which can be compromised in emergency situations.

By taking a few simple steps today, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies.

The federal government has created an emergency preparedness guide for people with disabilities experiencing natural disaster emergencies around Canada which can be found here.

Free Family Hangouts hosted by the Family Support Institute (FSI)

FSI Family Hangouts are a safe space for families, caregivers and professionals to come together for support, learning, inspiration and connection. Some sessions are based on a particular theme or topic, while others are for general conversation and engagement.

You can find the full list of upcoming Family Hangouts, including the links to register, on the FSI website here.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) hosts presentations for people with disabilities and caregivers

The CRA hosts a number of presentations to support people with disabilities and caregivers. Over the coming months, these include:

• Persons with Disabilities Presentation – September 2 and October 12, 2021 from 1:30PM – 2:30pm PDT
• Benefits and Credits for Caregivers Presentation – September 14 and October 5, 2021 from 1:30PM – 2:30pm PDT
• Scam Awareness Presentation – September 29 and October 26, 2021 from 1:30 – 2:15pm PDT

You can find the full list of upcoming presentations and registration links here.

Self Advocate Corner

Upcoming BC People First workshops

Know Your Rights & Vote!

BC People First (BCPF) wants to help people with diverse abilities to feel ready to vote and to know their voting rights. Join presenters and BCPF Members Jo-Anne Gauthier and David Sherritt on Zoom on Monday, September 13 from 1:00pm to 2:15pm PDT

You can find full details and register here.

Presentation Skills for Self Advocacy Success

Join BCPF presenters Michael McLellan and Conrad Tyrkin for public speaking training in plain language. Michael and Conrad are both experienced facilitators and have lots of information and knowledge to share with other self advocates. This session takes place Wednesday, September 22 from 10:30am to 11:30am PDT.

You can find full details and register here.

Down syndrome BC is forming a Self Advocate Advisory Committee

Down syndrome BC is looking for self advocates with Down syndrome who are willing to volunteer their time to share their experiences and ideas. The new Self Advocate Advisory Committee will meet a few times a year to discuss ideas and issues related to living with Down syndrome in B.C. They will also provide feedback to Down syndrome BC about our activities, vision and goals.

Volunteers for this committee must be over the age of 16, live in B.C., have Down syndrome and be interested in self advocacy work. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, send an email to hello@downsyndromebc.ca with “SAA Committee” in the subject line.

Stories of Hope and Encouragement

September 30, 2021 marks National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

The Government of Canada recently passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an important step in the reconciliation process. It provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour their survivors, their families and communities.

For 2021, B.C. will also be marking this day as a day of commemoration. CLBC offices will be closed on September 30 and we expect many CLBC funded service providers will close their day services as well. Please check with your provider to confirm their plans. The government will be consulting key stakeholders, including Indigenous leaders, on how this national day is marked in the future.

In recent years, September 30 has been marked as Orange Shirt Day, so called because of the residential school experiences of the campaign’s founder, Phyllis Webstad. You can hear Phyllis speak about Orange Shirt day on YouTube here and she has also written a children’s book which you can learn more about here.

You can get this year’s (and past years’) orange shirts through the Orange Shirt Society website here and through Metis Nation BC’s website here.

H.O.M.E. Society video honours caregivers and staff

H.O.M.E. Society created a video message saying thank you to all their staff and caregivers for their efforts to keep people safe throughout the pandemic. You can watch the video here.

Coming soon: Celebrate Diverse ABILITIES magazine

Celebrate Diverse ABILITIES is CLBC’s twice yearly magazine created under the guidance of the CLBC Editorial Board, which is made up of self advocates from across the province. We are putting the final touches on the next edition, which will go out in the coming weeks and share stories from self advocates about the things and people that have helped them get through the pandemic. If you receive this Individual and Family Update, you are already subscribed to receive the magazine by email. If you know someone who would like to subscribe, they can do so at this link.

Signing Off

As we sign off, here’s an important reminder that although we all may be excited about the world beginning to open up again, each of us has our own comfort level and it’s important to be considerate. Until next edition..