annual 2011/12 clbc community council reports

Annual 2011/12 CLBC Community Council ReportsJuly 1, 2012

1 | P a g e 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 A n n u a l C o m m u n i t y C o u n c i l R e p o r t s

This report is a compilation of all reports submitted by Community Councils throughout British Columbia for 2011 /2012. Each Council was asked to summarize:

1. Highlights of Community Council projects or initiatives

2. Groups, people and organizations the Community Council met with during the past year

3. What is working well in the region covered by the Council?

List of Community Councils • Thompson Cariboo Community Council • Central Upper Island Community Council • North Region Community Council • North Okanagan Shuswap Community Council • Richmond Community Council • Surrey/Delta Community Council • Upper Fraser Community Council • Simon Fraser Community Council • Central and South Okanagan Community Council • South Island Community Council • Kootenay Community Council • Vancouver Community Council

Thompson Cariboo Community Council Council Chair: Carol Richards 1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives

♦ Self‐advocate Summit October 26/27,2011 in Kamloops

♦ PLAN workshop November 15/2011

♦ Community Engagement workshop April 17/2011

♦ Aging Forum April 2/2011

♦ Created 4 committees (self‐advocate development, employment, community inclusion and Williams Lake concerns) each of which had goals and objectives

♦ Hosted the regional WOW award celebration

♦ Council had discussions on the following:

Council recruitment and the role of Councils Council sustainability, resulting in a motion sent to the Provincial Advisory Committee


2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ New Horizons presented on the Companionship Program

♦ Lisa Porcellato and Jenny Cane from CLBC discussed Social Media

♦ Brian Salisbury from CLBC listened to our local issues and talked about CLBC’s challenges

♦ Best Buddies program and Thompson Rivers University talked about their program to include people with disabilities into university life

♦ Shelley Nessman from CLBC

3. What is working well in your region? ♦ Good working relationship with CLBC staff

♦ We would like to emphasize that the real support for Council comes from the local level

Central and Upper Island Community Council Council Chair: Russ Keil

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives Our Council spent the last year focused on member recruitment. We had some success with our strategies and welcomed 5 new members including 2 community members, 1 family member and 2 self advocates. We also lost a few members but are on the right trajectory.

We completed our strategic plan which has now evolved into a work plan. Our first project will be to hold Employment Forums using a panel format. These will be held at the end of May 2012 in each Duncan, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River. Planning is well under way.

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year

We hosted an Ageing Forum held by CLBC. We are in the planning phase for our employment forums now.

3. What is working well in your region? Recruitment seems to have some positive momentum.


North Region Community Council Council Chair: Bonnie Fallowfield

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives ♦ ProLoquo2go assistive technology for speech.

♦ May 16, 2011 – Aging Forum in Quesnel

♦ May 17, 2011 – Aging Forum in Prince George

♦ May 31, 2011 – Aging Forum in Fort St. John

♦ June 2, 2011 – Aging Forum in Smithers

♦ June 11, 2011 – Community Council Chairs/Board Strategic Planning day

♦ October 1, 2011 – Terrace Community Living Month event

♦ October 6, 2011 – Dawson Creek Community Living Month event

♦ October 7, 2011 – Smithers’ Community Living Month event

♦ October 22, 2011 – Prince Rupert Community Living Month event

♦ October 28, 2011 – Prince George Community Living Month event

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ May 16, 2011 – Aging Forum in Quesnel

♦ May 17, 2011 – Aging Forum in Prince George

♦ May 30, 2011 – BC Chamber of Commerce AGM

♦ May 31, 2011 – Aging Forum in Fort St. John

♦ June 2, 2011 – Aging Forum in Smithers

♦ June 11, 2011 – Community Council Chairs/Board Strategic Planning day

♦ Sept 4, 2011 – Adult Guardianship/Representation Agreement review with Paula Grant

♦ October 1, 2011 – Terrace Community Living Month event

♦ October 6, 2011 – Dawson Creek Community Living Month event

♦ October 7, 2011 – Smithers’ Community Living Month event

♦ October 15, 2011 – Strategic Planning review with Brian Salisbury

♦ October 22, 2011 – Prince Rupert Community Living Month event

♦ October 28, 2011 – Prince George Community Living Month event

♦ February 14, 2012 – Smithers’ Self Advocates forum


♦ February 14, 2012 – Smithers’ Family Forum

♦ February 15, 2012 – Terrace Self Advocates Forum

♦ February 16, 2012 – Terrace Family Forum

3. What is working well in your region? Our Community Council is a strong group of people who meet regularly to discuss issues and projects in their communities. Council members provide information and feedback to CLBC staff and board via the Council meetings and Provincial Advisory Committee member. The North Region Community Council has a full membership and has another three members approved for replacement of the retiring members. There are a number of challenges with the geography of the north and sustainability of meetings/schedules but this Council has managed very successfully to gather, plan and execute their initiatives.

North Okanagan / Shuswap Community Council Council Chair: Sue Phillips (Lorne McEwen effective May 2012)

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives Our Council conducted Power Point presentations regarding the history of community living and the role of the Council to:

♦ Community groups ♦ Service providers in Salmon Arm and Vernon ♦ Business Referral Group in Vernon ♦ Vernon Women in business group ♦ ʹHot Stove ʹ community awareness meeting

We also funded a self‐advocate community play by Shuswap Shoestring Theatre in Salmon Arm and met the public and shared a cake at a Vernon Safeway to celebrate National Disability Week.

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ Service Providers

♦ Womenʹs business luncheon

♦ General public


3. What is working well in your region? Our relationship with CLBC management and staff is excellent. Our annual strategic planning and goal setting process was collaborative and cooperative, and resulted in more focus and refinement in setting an annual plan. We are learning and adapting to arrive at more clarity of function in our work.

We have assisted management in recruiting and interviewing prospective CLBC employees. Our participation in Provincial Advisory Committee meetings and advisory direction setting has been positive and welcome.

Richmond Community Council Council Chair: Ruth Shannon

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives ♦ Held a facilitated strategic planning day and developed a Council work plan to provide a

focus for the year’s activities ( May 14, 2012)

♦ Developed / maintained positive working relationships between CLBC and key community partners and elected officials towards inclusion

♦ Supported and encouraged community opportunities for adults served by CLBC

♦ Hosted a well attended CLBC family information evening to learn more about individualized funding.

♦ Ruth Shannon represented the Council on the Advisory Committee, beginning in February

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ While the Council as a group has not met with outside organizations, individual members are

connected in a variety of places including:

o Richmond Society for Community Living – employment services and co‐op o Richmond transition committee – attended Transition Fair by CLBC, MCFD and MSD o One Council member and one CLBC staff are members of the Transitions Committee,

which provides a great connection o Richmond education committee


3. What is working well in your region? ♦ Richmond Council is comprised of Richmond stakeholders which include 1 self‐advocate, 3

family members and 1 community members

♦ Each Council member brings to the table a diversity of community living experience and knowledge and a willingness to participate in Council initiatives and goals

♦ The Council met 4 times this year; meeting agendas were prepared in advance although attendance at each meeting was small, due to the loss of several members

♦ Two new Council members joined due to turnover but good representation continues with the small present group

♦ James White has provided good support with us which all of us appreciate!

Surrey / Delta / White Rock Community Council Council Chair: Marie Sabine

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives Our Council’s strategic plan for 2011/2012 noted the following priorities:

♦ Transportation: A challenge to community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities is transportation. Although we cannot initiate improvements we can provide feedback and advocate for improved public transportation. Council members have attended Translink public information meetings to discuss a rapid transit system for Surrey. On April 26, 2012 a Council member attended a Translink meeting about Delta’s transportation plan. We have advocated for safe, reliable transportation that meets the needs of our constituents

♦ Employment & Lifelong Learning: We gathered information on what is available for post secondary education and discussed concerns about the new BC Employment program and how it will impact people with developmental disabilities

♦ Emergency Response/Preparedness/Safety and Safeguards: We learned about the City of Surrey’s emergency planning initiative to meet the needs of people with disabilities should a City wide emergency occur (i.e., a major earthquake)

♦ At Risk Youth and Adults: The most recent project our Council is addressing the issue of developmentally disabled youth and young adults that are involved in illegal and high risk activities as many are being recruited by gangs. This issue was brought forward by representatives from the Surrey School District. Under the City of Surrey’s ‘Crime Reduction Strategy’. A committee was formed to address the issue. Committee members included a City Councillor and representatives from the Surrey School District, RCMP, Ministry of Children


and Family Development, Crown Council, Community Corrections, two CLBC facilitators and the Community Council chair. The Committee met twice monthly starting in January 2012 and worked together to host a half day forum to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders and build networks between professionals and agencies. The May 4th forum had approximately 80 stakeholders attending. Dr. Sandra Cottingham was the keynote speaker. Nine members of a panel each spoke to a scenario in which a developmentally disabled individual was involved in the criminal justice system. This was followed by table discussions. Information from discussions was collected (6 Council members were note takers) and will be reviewed by the organizing committee on June 18th. Next steps will then be determined

Other initiatives included:

♦ Three Family Forums to hear issues from families were held in Surrey and Delta in the fall of 2011. CLBC staff and Community Council members attended

♦ Council members attended the October 22, 2011 Transition Fair, and staffed a booth to highlight work done by the Community Council and to recruit Council members

♦ Our Council created a brochure that addresses ageing caregivers that was very successful and prompted more investigation into the needs of people with developmental disabilities as they age as well as ageing caregivers. Our Chair was invited to become a member of the ‘Advisory Committee on Ageing’. This is a two year commitment. The Committee will provide advice on a CLBC strategy on ageing and implementation of work plans; advise on how to meaningfully involve the broader community and provided feedback on the effectiveness of initiatives resulting from the Strategy on Ageing and make recommendations for improvement

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ Barb Penner, Employment Initiative Coordinator, CLBC

♦ Tara Cleave, Coordinator Outreach and Support Services, City of Surrey

♦ Brian Salisbury, Director of Strategic Planning, CLBC

♦ Riia Talve, Self Advocate member of the Community Council

♦ Angela Clancy, Executive Director, Family Support Institute

3. What is working well in your region? ♦ Family forums provided an opportunity to hear about issues directly from families. Three

more family forums are scheduled for October 2012

♦ Partnering with other stakeholders to address the issue of people with developmental disabilities involved in the criminal justice system

♦ Advocating and providing feedback to Translink regarding the needs of people with disabilities using public transit


pper Fraser Community CouncilU

Council Chair: Maggie Metcalfe

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives rtunity to meet with

ill enable the

n for 2011‐2012. This resulted in a

♦ The CLBC Board hosted a meeting in Abbotsford which provided an oppothe Community Council privately. This resulted in a closer connection between the two groups and a greater understanding of the Board’s membership and commitment

♦ We have a committed representative for the Advisory Committee which wCouncil to raise community issues to the provincial level

♦ Council met with John Talbot to facilitate our strategic plafocus on seniors, transitions and community engagement

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ BSW Practicum students from the Upper Fraser Valley CLBC

d community engagement

Fraser work plan

♦ David Pascoe – CLBC facilitator who a lead in employment an

♦ Brian Salisbury – Director of Strategic Planning to talk about his Council liaison role

♦ Sylvie Zebroff – to talk about her role as Family Partnership Advisor

♦ Scott Gibney – Community Relations Specialist provided us with his Upper

3. What is working well in your region? gether. The self advocates feel that they are

ed the Council and agreed to become our Advisory Committee

sted information sessions and connected with the generic services such as

ction and purpose

♦ We have a cohesive group who work well tosupported and listened to

♦ A new family member joinrepresentative

♦ The Council hoYouth Unlimited

♦ We now have dire


imon Fraser Community CouncilS

Council Chair: Deb Appleby

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives

people to hear

Westminster by Simon Fraser Community

rds in Maple Ridge

♦ February 2012 ‐ Employment Workshop hosted in Coquitlam with over 70speakers from Polaris, CLBC, Opportunities Fund, CBI, etc. Organized by the Community Engagement lead and CPD Employment Lead

♦ March 2012 ‐ Housing Workshop hosted in NewCouncil and organized the Community Engagement Lead. Over 40 participants with presenters from BC housing, Vela, Home Sharing and Van City Springboard Mortgages

♦ Helped to support the Maple Ridge Friendship Zone and a Self Advocates conference

♦ October Community Living Month partnership events including:

o October 6th Peter Block Workshop o October 12th Transition Fair o October 14th VIFF/BACI Awao October 21st Last Committee BBQ

♦ Transition Fair held on April 3, 2012 in Maple Ridge


See above.

3. What is working well in your region? Council as this relates to recruitment and

t

on’s name went before the Board at e

cently become a Facilitator with the Community Employment Plan

♦ The past few years have been a struggle for ourretention of new members. Another issue for us was con concerned the media attention thaCLBC received. Doug Woollard and Brian Salisbury attended a meeting, which was greatly appreciated. However, members feel that trust was damaged and that rebuilding needs to take place but that this will not happen overnight

♦ Two new members joined the Council and a third perstheir next July meeting. They have been a welcome addition and we hope to add a few morin the near future

♦ A new member re

♦ A key area for us moving forward will be where we go from here as a Council


entral and South Okanagan Community CouncilC

Council Chair: Anna Caruso


in September 2012

partnership with

by the attendees and 5 meetings were held

tor presented at this event

endently and in need of financially

ement and employment

employers to hire people with disabilities in a number of venues

rs and acknowledged and honoured their

♦ Strategic planning sessions facilitated by Kim Lyster in spring of 2011

♦ Active recruitment processes for new members resulted in 6 people starting

♦ Worked with the Mayor and local Councillors on “Be Safe On Line” inLondon Drugs and The Globe and Mail

♦ Coordinated and facilitated monthly self advocate and family meetings with great participation and feedback; topics chosen

♦ Supported the Diversability Campaign led by inspirational speaker Shelley Decoste

♦ Organized a “generic” community resource fair in Penticton

♦ Participated in two resource fairs for transitioning youth

♦ Supported PLAN Okanagan to run “Beyond Graduation”; a Facilita

♦ Created a community kitchen for individuals living indepviable menus etc

♦ Assisted marginalized women to access haircuts to raise confidence in preparation for community involv

♦ Supported approximately 12 self advocates to attend the regional self advocate event inKamloops

♦ Run an integrated soccer league for adults

♦ Encouraged

♦ Celebrated successes with outgoing membecommitment and energy at a party


Sharon Shepherd of Kelowna and City Council Members

♦ Many individuals and their families who attended the forums or resource fairs as mentioned above

♦ The Kelowna Self Advocate Group and the Oliver Self Advocates

♦ Mayor

♦ Generic employment agencies

♦ MCFD CYSN and Protection Teams in the Okanagan


amber of Commerce held in

nagan

rt Institute (Okanagan Members)

nticton Campus staff

acts in Kelowna

♦ Numerous service providers and generic community supports

♦ Business people through the Annual General Meeting for the ChPenticton

♦ PLAN Oka

♦ The Family Suppo

♦ UBC Okanagan, Okanagan College: Kelowna and Pe

♦ Staff from various centres for seniors

♦ Canadian Mental Health Association

♦ Cool Arts

♦ Media cont

3. What is working well in your region? eloping projects that flow from this

t to community engagement

accomplishments and celebrating them

ootenay Region Community Council

♦ A focus on community engagement and dev

♦ A dedicated and committed Council and a sound strategic plan

♦ An ability to get large numbers of people to participate in events

♦ Partnerships with various community agencies and a commitmen

♦ Fun and food at meetings

♦ Recognizing strengths and

♦ Bringing in guest speakers

K Council Chair: Madeleine Harlamovs


m”

as a

ient of the “Making a Difference!clbc Award” and

their maximum term

♦ Participation in the regional KRACL conference, hosting a “hospitality roo

♦ Production of pamphlets, toques, and “I love my community” bracelets used promotional item to increase awareness of CLBC and the community Council

♦ Various community living month events

♦ SAS Lorraine Podovelnikoff was the recippresented bursaries to the 4 self‐advocate members of the Council

♦ Recruitment efforts to fill future vacancies for members who have served



Members of Council participated in the following:

♦ Engaged with regional stakeholders at KRACL conference

♦ Engaged with individuals, service providers, and families at annual picnics in East and West Kootenays

♦ Engaged with regional CLBC staff via Council members attending a staff meeting, as well as staff members attending community Council meetings

♦ Participated in multiple ageing forums

♦ Attended the annual provincial Council/CLBC board meeting in Vancouver

♦ Met with Chamber of Commerce representatives

♦ Attended a PAC meeting

♦ Attended the BCACL conference

♦ Continued to participate in a self‐advocates group in the East Kootenay

3. What is working well in your region? We have an enthusiastic group of committed individuals who continue to explore new and creative ways of connecting with the community. This past year has seen the Council become more cohesive as a group and focussed in their efforts. The greatest success this past year has been the extent to which the profile of the Council has been raised in the East and West Kootenay communities, through member attendance and various events and functions.

South Island Community Council Council Chair: Michael Hayes (Acting)

1. Highlights of your Community Council projects or initiatives ♦ Several SICC members met with Minister Stephanie Cadieux in May 2012. This provided an

opportunity to outline the Council’s role, what is working well and areas of concern

♦ Three SICC members attended a joint meeting of the CLBC Board, Council Chairs, PAC representatives, and CLBC staff in April 2012. One member is a part of the Task Force that evolved from this meeting

♦ Completion of ‘Light the Way’, a DVD that looks at ways to support self advocates to be more involved in Councils, meetings, etc. SICC members were involved in the making and editing of the DVD and copies have been provided to other Community Councils


♦ SICC provided support to Self Advocates for a Brighter Future in hosting a book launch for Barb Goode’s “The Goode Life”

♦ In partnership with Second Wave, Community Living Victoria and Garth Homer Society, the SICC assisted in hosting a community presentation by Michael Prince, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Victoria, and author of Absent Citizens: Disability Politics and Policy in Canada

♦ Members of the Communication Committee met with several community members, including MLAs, Saanich Police, Westshore Chamber of Commerce, Langford Chamber of Commerce and the Inter municipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (IACDI)

♦ Member biographies have been updated by the Communications Committee for posting on the CLBC website

♦ The Families Committee, along with CLBC staff, facilitated Family Forum sessions in Victoria, Westshore and the Peninsula. These sessions provide an opportunity for families and those they support to ask questions, learn of resources, express concerns, etc.

♦ The Families Committee, along with three Victoria service providers, organized an annual Resource Fair. Council members attended and worked at the Fair

♦ Families Committee members attended and ensured families in the community were aware of the recent Youth Forum and Transition to Work presentation

♦ SICC member Kam Judge made a presentation to Council on the Indo‐Canadian community

♦ Self Advocate Mary Emmond continues to sit on the Advisory Committee and also attended the Edenvale conference and the Self Advocate Leadership Institute and the BC People First Conference

♦ Self Advocate Michael Langridge attended the demolition of the Woodlands Centre Block and shared his experience at a Council meeting. He sits on the BC People First Board of Directors and attended the BC People First AGM and Conference

♦ The Communication Committee continues to support, attend and share information on upcoming community events (via an electronic distribution list)

♦ Despite four departing Council members this year, SICC has recruited some excellent additions

♦ In 2012, SICC plans to continue with their focus on issues of aging and transitioning youth, engaging minority groups, and connecting with other Community Councils

2. Groups, people and organizations your Community Council met with during the past year ♦ CLBC Staff: 1) CPD Manager and facilitators regularly attend SICC meetings 2) Director of

Regional Operations and QSO Manager attend meetings throughout the year and provide updates 3) Community Relations Specialist sits on the Families Committee


♦ Minister Stephanie Cadieux

♦ Allison Bond, Assistant Deputy Minister (Ministry of Social Development)

♦ Paula Grant, Ministry of Social Development

♦ CLBC Aboriginal Advisor, Donna Good Water

♦ CLBC Self Advocate Advisor, Jessica Humphrey

♦ CLBC staff Barb Penner and Susan Ko

♦ CLBC staff Jule Hopkins

♦ Janet Heino, Ministry of Social Development

♦ Michael Shoop and Brian Salisbury (CLBC Strategic Plan)

♦ Recreation Integration Victoria, Garth Homer Society, Community Living Victoria, Integra Support Services.

♦ Self Advocates for a Brighter Future

♦ Inter municipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (IACDI)

♦ Langford Chamber of Commerce

♦ Westshore Chamber of Commerce

♦ Saanich Police Department

3. What is working well in your region? The SICC has connected with hundreds of people in our area. Through this process we have been able to identify areas of concern, identify gaps in service, connect families to one another and provide clarity on issues that have been at the forefront of the media.

Vancouver Community Council Council Chair: Peter Swayne

1. Highlights of our Community Council projects and initiatives ♦ March 2011 – A strategic planning meeting established “Families Helping Families” as our

guiding principal and set out steps by which to put the principal into action

♦ May 2011 ‐ A Council meeting heard formal presentations from 4 different family groups to gather information about how families have and are helping families

♦ June 2011 ‐ Planning of Family meeting, identifying key areas of need and establishing process

♦ September 2011 ‐ Family Meeting: a “World Café”. Ideas and suggestions related to Recreation, Housing, Education and Employment were shared and recorded


♦ October 2011 – 3 subcommittees (Education and Employment were combined) were formed and each started to work on its plan of action

♦ November 2011, January 2012, February 2012 – Council meetings continue to gather information and to develop and implement action plans

♦ Subcommittee members attend information sessions on Housing and Employment. Recreation subcommittee members develop plans with YMCA

2. Groups, people and organizations our Community Council met with during the past year ♦ Parent Support Group

♦ Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities

(The Developmental Disabilities Association

♦ UBC instructor who provides language opportunities members of several families and the mother who set up this programme

♦ Douglas College ASE Department Head and Executive Director Polaris Employment Services

♦ YMCA

♦ Parent Transition Group

3. What is working well in our region? ♦ The Community Council is focused and active

♦ The strategic plan is being followed and useful information is being disseminated to families

♦ Family meetings are well attended and parents are listened to

annual 2011/12 clbc community council reports

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