May 2011 - Child Care Month in BC
May 1 - 7, 2011 - International Youth Week
May 1 - 7, 2011 - National Mental Health Week
May 7, 2011 - Child and Youth Mental Health Day - BC
May 7 - 13, 2011 - Family Caregiver Week
May 15, 2011 - International Day of Families
May 23-29, 2011 - B.C. Child and Youth in Care Week.
May 25 - 28, 2011 - Aboriginal Awareness Week
May 25, 2011 - National Missing Children's Day
Much to recognize and think about this month, including Mother's day.
May 28 will be the first ever Grand Gathering in the Lower Mainland. A day to celebrate all that grandparents do who take on full time responsibility for raising their grandchildren. Stories to come after the Gathering.
All month is child care month. Finding available child care is a struggle for many families. Just any space will not do as parents want and need to know that their child is somplace safe, stimulating, loving, and affordable. In many families, grandparents take on the task of child care. Too many others are stuck either paying more than they can afford, or taking risks with the child's safety and well being. A terrible position to be in. Still Canadian families are waiting for universal child care, but it seems no closer than it was 2 decades ago. Will the new Federal government tackle that one?
Official blog for Parent Support Services Society of BC
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Homophobia in Schools
Homophobia Common in Canadian Schools (From First Call's Newsletter)
A new report from Egale has found that “school hallways are saturated with homophobic language and 21% of LGBTQ students report being physically harassed or assaulted while almost two thirds - 64% - feel unsafe at school.” From the forward to Every Class in Every School:
Every class in every school has LGBTQ students, and the majority of heterosexual students are silently upset by homophobic comments. If teachers were to lead the way by speaking respectfully of LGBTQ people, the silent majority of students—the 58% of heterosexual students and the approximately 14% of students who are LGBTQ—would have more reason for courage. They might figure out that most of their peers aren’t homophobic either. They might stop using homophobic language to fit in, and they might start intervening when LGBTQ students are being harassed. LGBTQ students might start to think, gay life isn’t just possible on TV; it’s possible in my world as well, with my teachers and my friends, and my employers, and maybe with my family.
A new report from Egale has found that “school hallways are saturated with homophobic language and 21% of LGBTQ students report being physically harassed or assaulted while almost two thirds - 64% - feel unsafe at school.” From the forward to Every Class in Every School:
Every class in every school has LGBTQ students, and the majority of heterosexual students are silently upset by homophobic comments. If teachers were to lead the way by speaking respectfully of LGBTQ people, the silent majority of students—the 58% of heterosexual students and the approximately 14% of students who are LGBTQ—would have more reason for courage. They might figure out that most of their peers aren’t homophobic either. They might stop using homophobic language to fit in, and they might start intervening when LGBTQ students are being harassed. LGBTQ students might start to think, gay life isn’t just possible on TV; it’s possible in my world as well, with my teachers and my friends, and my employers, and maybe with my family.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Federal Election
We at Parent Support Services Society want to encourage everyone to get involved in learning and promoting the issues that are priorities for this election. It is alarming to me that so few Canadians exercise their right (and responsibility) to vote and yet so many are happy to complain about the results and the directions government takes. Please do take the time to get informed and then get out and vote. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.
Of course our priorities relate to such crucial issues as ending poverty; increasing safe, affordable housing; increasing access to justice; providing accessible, affordable child care; and ensuring parents and grandparents have the support they need to keep their families intact and safe in their own homes and communities. Addressing poverty and violence in our communities will have broad based benefits for all and ultimately will save dollars and lives.
Yes there are other concerns, however, if funds are limited, where are they best spent to create the greattest good for all? Do we have the collective wisdom for long term vision that protects the health and well being of the planet, works towards true equality and justice for all people, and ensures our children and grandchildren have a sustainable country and world where they can live well and in peace? What would it mean for everyone to have "enough"?
Here are a few suggestions of places to explore to help with your voting decision: First Call's Federal Election Kit is now available for download at http://www.firstcallbc.org/currentissues-election.html The election kit is a tool for individuals and communities to promote child and youth rights in the May 2, 2011 election.
Find out more about each party's platform and policies from their web sites:
New Democratic Party: "http://www.ndp.ca/platform"
Green Party: "http://greenparty.ca
Liberal Party:"http://www.liberal.ca/"
Conservative Party: "http://www.conservative.ca/"
Other sites to check:
Civil Society Organizations Campaign 2000 (www.campaign2000.ca) Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public education movement to build support for the 1989 all party House of Commons resolution that pledged to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000.
Canada Without Poverty (www.cwp-csp.ca) Canada Without Poverty is a not for profit, non- partisan, member- based organization dedicated to the eradication of poverty.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (www.policyalternatives.ca) The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Ottawa, offers an alternative to the message that citizens have no choice about the policies that affect them, and promotes research on social/economic justice.
Canadian Council for International Co-operation (www.ccic.ca) A coalition of Canadian voluntary sector organizations working globally for sustainable human development, the Canadian Council for International Co-operation seeks to end global poverty, and to promote social justice and human dignity for all.
Canadian Council for Refugees (www.ccrweb.ca) The Canadian Council for Refugees is a non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada.
Canadian Health Coalition (www.healthcoalition.ca) This not-for-profit and non-partisan organization is dedicated to protecting and expanding Canada’s public health system for the benefit of all Canadians.
Of course our priorities relate to such crucial issues as ending poverty; increasing safe, affordable housing; increasing access to justice; providing accessible, affordable child care; and ensuring parents and grandparents have the support they need to keep their families intact and safe in their own homes and communities. Addressing poverty and violence in our communities will have broad based benefits for all and ultimately will save dollars and lives.
Yes there are other concerns, however, if funds are limited, where are they best spent to create the greattest good for all? Do we have the collective wisdom for long term vision that protects the health and well being of the planet, works towards true equality and justice for all people, and ensures our children and grandchildren have a sustainable country and world where they can live well and in peace? What would it mean for everyone to have "enough"?
Here are a few suggestions of places to explore to help with your voting decision: First Call's Federal Election Kit is now available for download at http://www.firstcallbc.org/currentissues-election.html The election kit is a tool for individuals and communities to promote child and youth rights in the May 2, 2011 election.
Find out more about each party's platform and policies from their web sites:
New Democratic Party: "http://www.ndp.ca/platform"
Green Party: "http://greenparty.ca
Liberal Party:"http://www.liberal.ca/"
Conservative Party: "http://www.conservative.ca/"
Other sites to check:
Civil Society Organizations Campaign 2000 (www.campaign2000.ca) Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public education movement to build support for the 1989 all party House of Commons resolution that pledged to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000.
Canada Without Poverty (www.cwp-csp.ca) Canada Without Poverty is a not for profit, non- partisan, member- based organization dedicated to the eradication of poverty.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (www.policyalternatives.ca) The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Ottawa, offers an alternative to the message that citizens have no choice about the policies that affect them, and promotes research on social/economic justice.
Canadian Council for International Co-operation (www.ccic.ca) A coalition of Canadian voluntary sector organizations working globally for sustainable human development, the Canadian Council for International Co-operation seeks to end global poverty, and to promote social justice and human dignity for all.
Canadian Council for Refugees (www.ccrweb.ca) The Canadian Council for Refugees is a non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada.
Canadian Health Coalition (www.healthcoalition.ca) This not-for-profit and non-partisan organization is dedicated to protecting and expanding Canada’s public health system for the benefit of all Canadians.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Finding time to write
There never seem to be enough hours in a day to read, do, write, play, sleep, or dream all that I would like or even need. Not sure how other folks manage it but would like the secret. With provincial government change and leadership races and federal elections circling all around us, families ...at least in the news...are getting a lot of press. I know that is not a new topic around election times, however, I am still happy to see that focus. The difficult peice for many of us as we are courted to think and vote a particular way, is how to sift through the rhetoric, analyse both actual cost and actual benefit and end up in a place where we can form an opinion based on "fact". I certainly cannot suggest how to vote. I can suggest that we all do our homework with care...and yes, then vote. Learn all that you can from as many perspectives as possible so that your decisions are based on the best information available. That applies to all decision making in our lives. I do know that for democracy to work better, (from the world level right down to the family) we need accurate, honest information accessible to all; we need an equal voice in decision making; we need to be able to listen to, understand and respect differing points of view; we need equal rights and protection for everyone; and we need long term planning that ensures there is enough of all the essentials for each person in BC, Canada and the world. The concept of "enough" is a great topic to ponder for future comment. Would love to hear your thoughts. There is a line from an song that goes: "If I get everything I want there's not enough for you".
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Family and Christie Clark
Well Christie Clark is using some words we should all be pouncing on: putting family first and reducing poverty. Away with that terrible $6.00 starting wage rate and up with minimum wage! Will BC really act to reduce child poverty and end our shame in the face of the nation? It will be up to you to hold her to that. It is going to be an interesting time to watch the near future unfold. Your voice can make a difference.
Very busy here this week at Parent Support Services Society with an excellent consultation meeting Monday at MCFD Victoria with managers, policy staff and grandparents. More about that next week. Tomorrow we have 2 days of staff inservice and that means our Coordinators from across the province can all gather and learn together.
Friday is the big Forum on Child Protection Advocacy best Practice. It should be quite a day and we are very hopeful that it will be productive and take us a giant step towards a Best Practice Model advocates will find helpful and useful to apply.
You won't likely hear from me again until next week.
Carol Ross
Very busy here this week at Parent Support Services Society with an excellent consultation meeting Monday at MCFD Victoria with managers, policy staff and grandparents. More about that next week. Tomorrow we have 2 days of staff inservice and that means our Coordinators from across the province can all gather and learn together.
Friday is the big Forum on Child Protection Advocacy best Practice. It should be quite a day and we are very hopeful that it will be productive and take us a giant step towards a Best Practice Model advocates will find helpful and useful to apply.
You won't likely hear from me again until next week.
Carol Ross
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Kids, Separation, and Divorce
I just discovered an excellent interactive website for children whose parents are going through separation or divorce. "Changeville!" is done by the Justice Education Society and you can find it at www.KidsBC.ca
Let me know what you think.
Carol Ross
Let me know what you think.
Carol Ross
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Pink Shirt Day
Let's all wear pink on February 23rd and again on April 4 (and any other day)to recognize Pink Shirt Day and boost awareness of the harms of bullying. (http://www.pinkshirtday.ca/) Because this idea has spread far and wide, different days are now emerging in recognition of the need for anti bullying awareness and action. Bullying is abuse; simple as that. It cannot and must not be tolerated. We do know that the reasons behind the making of a bully are complex as are the reasons "victims" too often do not tell. Sadly, many are not even aware that bullying is wrong!
The original idea for Pink Shirt Day was the brain child of two teenage students in Nova Scotia who took a stand against bullies in their school. CBC News, September 19, 2007, reported that David Shepherd and Travis Price, after hearing a student was called a homosexual and threatened for wearing pink, "went to a nearby discount store and bought 50 pink shirts, including tank tops, to wear to school the next day." Since that powerful act of solidarity, Pink Shirt Day has made its way across Canada and is now internationally recognized.
Read more at Suite101: Anti-Bullying Campaign in Canada: Pink Shirt Day Increases Awareness and Media Attention on Bullying http://www.suite101.com/content/anti-bullying-campaign-in-canada-a219531#ixzz1Eiwqvccc
I am proud to say that my now 10 year old grandson "got it" immediately that first year and picked out his own pink shirt to wear. He has been on the receiving end of bullying both in day care and school. He does his best to name it and stand up to it, "but it's hard Grandma". He and all children need the example and support of all the adults around them to recognize and stop bullying.
Bullying is not confined to the class room. Bullies can be found everywhere in the roles of instructors, parents, employers, landlords, medical professionals, police officers, co-workers, professors, teachers, social workers, day care providers, sales people, board members, lawyers and on and on the list could go. No occupation is spared.
I would love to hear your stories about strategies to keep children safe and strong in the face of bullying and for ways we could all be part of the solution.
Carol
The original idea for Pink Shirt Day was the brain child of two teenage students in Nova Scotia who took a stand against bullies in their school. CBC News, September 19, 2007, reported that David Shepherd and Travis Price, after hearing a student was called a homosexual and threatened for wearing pink, "went to a nearby discount store and bought 50 pink shirts, including tank tops, to wear to school the next day." Since that powerful act of solidarity, Pink Shirt Day has made its way across Canada and is now internationally recognized.
Read more at Suite101: Anti-Bullying Campaign in Canada: Pink Shirt Day Increases Awareness and Media Attention on Bullying http://www.suite101.com/content/anti-bullying-campaign-in-canada-a219531#ixzz1Eiwqvccc
I am proud to say that my now 10 year old grandson "got it" immediately that first year and picked out his own pink shirt to wear. He has been on the receiving end of bullying both in day care and school. He does his best to name it and stand up to it, "but it's hard Grandma". He and all children need the example and support of all the adults around them to recognize and stop bullying.
Bullying is not confined to the class room. Bullies can be found everywhere in the roles of instructors, parents, employers, landlords, medical professionals, police officers, co-workers, professors, teachers, social workers, day care providers, sales people, board members, lawyers and on and on the list could go. No occupation is spared.
I would love to hear your stories about strategies to keep children safe and strong in the face of bullying and for ways we could all be part of the solution.
Carol
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