What's New: (BC) Aboriginal Child Care Society

Call for Feedback on ACCS 2010 Client Services Questionnaire – Deadline March 1, 2010 - NEW

We are conducting a survey to review and evaluate our resources, training, supports and services to program staff and communities. We would like to know which of the services you are currently using, which services you know about, and how they can better support the early childhood development and child care services to Aboriginal children, parents and early childhood education workers. Filling out this questionnaire is important to our service delivery so we very much appreciate your time! All your responses are confidential and will be combined together with everyone else’s in the final evaluation report. The survey should take no more than 20 minutes.

A random draw for three iPod Shuffles (4 GB) will take place on March 1, 2010 so be sure to fill out your telephone and email in Section A so we can notify you if you are one the winners!

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on First Nations Children Discrimination by Government of Canada Dismissed – Jan 10, 2010 - NEW

In a letter on January 8, 2010, Chair Shirish Chotalia (who was newly appointed by the Conservative Government on November 2, 2009) vacated all tribunal hearing dates for January and February 2010 and has apparently decided to hear Canada's motion to dismiss the tribunal. We (The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada or FNCFCS) are surprised that Chair Chotalia has agreed to hear Canada's motion to dismiss given that the federal court has already reviewed the matter and ruled against the Canadian Government. These decisions by the Chair were unexpected and cause us great concern. If the original schedule of hearings established by Chair Sinclair were respected by the incoming Chair we would have already concluded three weeks of witness testimony on this important matter by month's end. Given Chotalia's interventions not one word of witness evidence has been entered into the record.

We (FNCFCS) are exploring all options to respond to this recent development. Please check the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada website for regular updates on this Important news:

Source: First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, Ottawa, ON (posted with permission)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the unanimous vote in the House of Commons to end child poverty by the year 2000. BC has had the worst child poverty rate in Canada for SIX years. 1 in 5 children and their families living in poverty in this provence.

Send a message to your MLA and MP asking for a provincial and national poverty reduction strategy. Contact your local media and share a story about poverty in your community.

Halalt First Nation Daycare Plan Request for Donations – Contact Ada at Coast Salish Employment & Training Society (CSETS) in Duncan, BC

Halalt is starting its new daycare and would appreciate the assistance of individuals or the community to acquire the following items for the daycare. Please contact Ada 1-888-811-3919 to arrange for pick-up/drop-off at the Coast Salish Employment and Training Society (CSETS) in Duncan, BC.

It has been nearly a year since the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Lenora Pritchard (1967 – 2009). Lenora was an Early Childhood Educator from the Musqueam First Nation and Tsimshian First Nation who worked with dedication and passion in the field of early childhood development for Aboriginal communities throughout B.C. Lenora is survived by her three year old daughter, Alisa Pritchard. In honour of Lenora’s contribution and legacy to the field of Aboriginal ECE, the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society has established a trust fund for Alisa’s education.

We thank all the generous donors in helping us help Lenora's family during this difficult time.

A donation account has been established at TD Canada Trust in the names of “Karen Isaac and Lynn McBride in trust for Alisa Pritchard”. Karen Isaac is the Executive Director of the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (ACCS), and Lynn McBride is a Child Care Advisor with ACCS.

Donations by cheque or money order should be payable to “Karen Isaac in trust for Alisa Pritchard”.

You can make a difference in Alisa's life by donating to the Trust Fund and spreading the word in your community. We will update you on the funds raised on a regular basis.

The BC Tripartite H1N1 Action Group has created the following community preparedness checklists for First Nations communities according to health region.

We urge you to review the attached 1-pager, “Know Your Plan: H1N1 Community Leadership Checklist”, for your region. Please fill out the contact information for your local community health services and hospital and distribute throughout the community. This checklist will help make you better prepared to deal with H1N1 – and it shows you how to access help.

The checklists can also be downloaded from the First Nations Health Council website at www.fnhc.ca

The following information from Vancouver Coastal Health is intended to help reduce the spread of pandemic H1N1 influenza in child care facilities. Influenza spreads in the community every year. These recommendations can reduce spread, but will not eliminate it, and we will see influenza spread in the community. In most people, pandemic H1N1 influenza causes a typical influenza like illness. In some people with underlying conditions like pregnancy, diabetes, lung and heart disease, serious complications can occur. Like seasonal influenza, pandemic H1N1 is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Spread can also occur after contact with surfaces and objects contaminated with the virus from infected persons. People are most infectious during the few days of illness.

The following are steps you can take now to help reduce the spread of influenza in child care facilities:

Stay home when you have symptoms influenza, which include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, diarrhoea and vomiting. If children or staff develop symptoms while at the child care facility, they should go home as soon as possible. Children can return to the child care facility when they have no fever and are feeling well enough to participate in activities. Staff can also return when their symptoms have resolved.
Ensure that children and staff wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Children should not bring hand sanitizers to child care centres.
Encourage staff and parents to be good role models for children by coughing and sneezing into the elbow or into a disposable tissue and washing hands afterwards.

Other measures to reduce the spread of influenza in child care settings include:

Environmental Cleaning. Influenza viruses can survive on some surfaces for several hours to days but are rapidly destroyed by cleaning. It is recommended that high touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles and toys be cleaned at least twice daily. No special disinfectants or waste handling practices are required for influenza; regular household or commercially available cleaning products are sufficient.
Vaccination. When it is available later this year, there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for all who need and want it. Vancouver Coastal Health will provide further details about H1N1 vaccination to you later this fall.

Finally, it is important that staff and parents are aware that certain health conditions can increase the risk of serious illness from this virus. These include: Pregnancy, heart or lung disease (including asthma) and diabetes. If you or your child have any of these health conditions, contact your family doctor as soon as possible if you develop fever, cough or other flu like symptoms. Your doctor will arrange for appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of serious disease.

Ministry of Health H1N1 Virus (Human Swine Flu) Under Surveillence Information Bulletin Sep 1, 2009

VICTORIA – British Columbia continues to monitor and respond to the spread of the novel H1N1 flu virus. Since Aug. 25, there have not been any new severe cases of H1N1 identified in B.C., with zero new deaths. The majority of lab-confirmed cases in B.C. have been mild or moderate in severity, with the patients either having already recovered or currently recovering. While the Province continues to count individual confirmed cases, the weekly report now includes only severe confirmed H1N1 cases (hospitalizations and deaths). The full count of individual cases will remain available on the national FluWatch website.

H1N1 Tripartite Memo RE: The Pandemic H1N1 Virus and Your Community Aug 26, 2009

This is an memo from the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan to all First Nations Community Members.Excerpts:

If you have questions about H1N1, the first place to start is with your local health providers (a doctor or a nurse).

For easy access to non-emergency health information and services, call Health Link BC at 8-1-1 or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca online. Translation services are available in over 130 languages on request. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance (TTY), call 7-1-1.

Provincial BC updates on H1N1 and links to general information and guidelines can be found on the BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport website: http://www.gov.bc.ca/govt/swineflu.html For information on how you can get involved with your community’s pandemic plan, please speak to your Health Director or Aboriginal Health Lead for your Regional Health Authority.

If you are a Health Care Worker or Health Director and require assistance with your community Pandemic Influenza Plan, please contact the FNIH Health Protection Directorate at (604) 666-1300

Our hearts are heavy over the tragic loss of our colleague, Lenora Pritchard, Aboriginal Child Care Advisor with the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society. Lenora died as a result of a car accident on northern Vancouver Island on the evening of Tuesday, January 27, 2009. She was on her way to Port Hardy and Alert Bay to present training workshops to the communities there as part of her work for the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.

Lenora Pritchard was a member of the Musqueam First Nation in Vancouver and the Tsimshian First Nation of Metlakatla, BC. She had a long history of working as an Early Childhood Educator in various Aboriginal communities in this province. She possessed a wealth of cultural knowledge and a deep commitment to working with communities, children and families. Lenora was also a proud member of the Northwest Coast First Nations dance group The Git Hayetsk Dancers: “People of the Copper Shield”. Lenora is survived by her mother, Heather Pritchard, and her three year old daughter, Alisa, as well as a large extended family.

Lenora’s passing is a great loss, not only to her own family and our agency, but also to all the communities and ECE/ECD programs she worked for and with and who benefitted from her wisdom and teachings. She will be greatly missed.

Lenora’s family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to BC Children’s Hospital, in memory of Lenora Pritchard. If you wish to send a letter to her family you may email reception@acc-society.bc.ca Attn: Scott Nahanee, and we will deliver your messages to Heather Pritchard.

BC ACCS has established a trust fund for Lenora’s daughter Alisa. Details provided below.

With profound gratitude for the beautiful life of our colleague, sister and friend and beloved sister, and with deep sorrow, for we miss her dearly,

BC ACCS Submits Response to the Early Learning Agency Re: the Expansion of Early Learning Programs in BC

BC ACCS recently responded to an invitation by the Early Learning Agency to give input into the expansion of early learning programs in BC.

BC ACCS Submits Response to Heritage Canada Re: Canada's Implementation of the UN Convention on Child Rights 2003-2007

BC ACCS recently took advantage of Heritage Canada's call for interested individuals and/or organizations to make reccomendations regarding Canada's Report to the UN Committee on Child Rights regarding Canada's implementation of the UN Convention on Child Rights. Please view our submission here. If you have comments on our submission or wish to provide feedback on our document, please email your responses to reception@acc-society.bc.ca, subject: "BC ACCS Submission re: UNCRC."

BC ACCS Responds to the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly during its 62nd session at UN Headquarters in New York City on 13 September 2007. The Declaration sets out the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples, as well as their rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, education, and other issues. The Declaration was adopted with enthusiasm by 143 UN member nations, and rejected by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, and 11 member nations abstained. BC ACCS wrote a response focusing on the sections of the Declaration that impacts our Aboriginal children.

To download a copy of our response to UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples please click here.

Ministry of Education in partnership with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Family Development Releases Early Learning Framework

To download a copy of the Early Learning Framework please visit www.bced.gov.bc.ca/literacy/early_learning/early_learning_framework.htm

Early Childhood Learning Agency Extends Deadline to Respond on "Full Day Pre-Kindergarten for 3 and 4 Years, Full Time Kindergarten for 5 Years."

The Early Childhood Learning Agency (ECLA) was announced in the Speech from the Throne in February 2008. It is situated within the Ministry of Education and works in close cooperation with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

The ECLA has been tasked with exploring the feasibility of expanding early learning programs in British Columbia. It will report back to government decision makers by the end of 2008.

As part of this work, the ECLA would like to know what you think. A consultation paper which asks for input on the feasibility of full-time kindergarten for five-year-olds and optional full-day pre-kindergarten for three- and four-year-old children, is now available.

Responses received by *August 15, 2008* will be carefully considered.

Child Care Operating Funding Program "2008-09 Guide for Licensed Group Child Care Providers"

The Child Care Programs and Services Branch of Ministry of Children and Family Development have produced a 2008-09 Guide for Licensed Child Care Providers, which provides details on the Child Care Operating Funding Program and Step by Step instructions for completing the application. You may view the document online at this address: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/pdfs/group_application_instructions_08-09.pdf

Child Care Programs and Services Branch

Ministry of Children and Family Development

PO Box 9965 Stn. Provincial Govt

Victoria, BC V8W 9R4

Ministry of Children and Family Development Presents

BC Early Years' Annual Report 2006-07

MCFD has produced their Annual Report 2006-07 of Activities and Expenditures on Early Childhood Development and Early Learning and Child Care. If you wish to view the document, please visit this address: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/pdf/ecd_annual_06_07.pdf

Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development

The Centre of Excellence on Early Childhood Development has produced new information sheets to help parents and practitioners gain a better understanding of children's aggressive behaviours, sleeping behaviours, crying behaviours, the crucial role of attachment, and the effects of tobacco during pregnancy. Presented in a practical format, these 4-page key messages provide an overview of many important aspects of early childhood development. To consult these documents, go to the CEECD Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development website and click on key messages.

Private Members Motion in Support of Jordan's Principle Passes in House of Commons.

In December 2007 the House of Commons unanimously passed a private member's bill endorsing 'Jordan's Principle' introduced by Nanaimo-Cowichan NDP MP Jean Crowder.

Jordan, a First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation suffered from complicated health needs and spent two years in a Winnipeg hospital while provincial and federal governments negotiated which jurisdictional authority was responsibile for supporting Jordan's at-home care needs. Sadly, Jordan passed in hospital away from his family and community, before the jurisidictional dispute was resolved. 'Jordan's Principle' ensures that Aboriginal children receive medical services and care first and foremost and without delay.

BC ACCS supported the passing of Jordan's Principle in 2007 by signing the Joint Declaration of Support and recognizes the First Nations Family Child and Family Caring Society for emphasizing the need to support Aboriginal children's needs ahead of governmental jurisdictional disputes. If you would like to lend your support for Jordan's Principle, please visit http://www.fncfcs.com/home.html

Premier Gordon Campbell was the first premier in Canada to publically support the policy bill, announcing his support at the First Nations Chief's Forum in January 2008. BC Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond responded calling Campbell's announcement a significant and positive development for First Nations children with special or complex medical needs in BC.

First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition: Staffing Survey Results

First Call has released the results of their Fall 2007 Early Childhood Educator Staffing Survey, to which over 300 people responded. For details of the results please click here.

Handbooks on Child Abuse and Neglect

Two handbooks on Child Abuse and Neglect are now available on the MCFD Child Protection website. The link to this website is:

http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/child_protection/

The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry is pleased to announce their new database and website that will be launched later this month. The new database will eventually allow students and practitioners to apply and/or renew their licensure as an Early Childhood Educator, Infant Toddler Educator, Special Needs Educator and Assistant from their website. Along with the new database, the ECE Registry website has also been updated and will include new application forms (see below) to apply for licensure and to renew licensure. These will be available on the website in a printable hardcopy form (PDF) or as an on-line application. Any old application forms that you currently have need to be destroyed immediately as they will no longer be accepted. Old applications received at the ECE Registry will be returned to the applicant along with a new application form. In the coming weeks, a letter will be mailed out to all currently licensed educators to inform them of the changes and help prevent the receipt of old forms.