SPC Monthly Meeting Mins (draft) - Jan 23, 2017

SPC Monthly Meeting Minutes (draft)

Jan 23, 2017 - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location: CMHA Boardroom at 51 North 4th Ave

In attendance (from sign-in sheet): Leah Selk, Margaret Anne Enders, Jay Goddard, Diane Wright, Jamie Wark, Linda Bingham, Carla Bullinger, Kathie Vilkas, Stacey Miranda, Anne Burrill, Kate Lines, Larry Stranberg, Shannon Thom, Milo Macdonald, Jessica Dunn, Sarah Jackman, and Amy Hunlin

Accept Minutes & Agenda

During lunch we:

·   Reviewed meeting minutes from Oct 24, 2016

Motion to accept as presented - MFSC

·   Reviewed meeting agenda for Jan 23, 2017

Motion to accept as presented - MFSC

Meet & Greet and Q&A with Milo MacDonald, new CAO at the City of Williams Lake

New role, but not new to the community.

Oversee the administration of the City and help council meet their goals.

Receptive to productive discussions and presentations.

This council is open to progressive ideas and that is part of the reason he took this position.

                                                      

Anne: SPC has been an organization for over 20 years. Exists to bring people together around social issues in the community. To share info and work together.

Formal relationship with the City the past few years. We, as a group want to continue this relationship with the City and after many staff changes over the past few years.

Discussions:

Accessibility issues moving forward

New care facility beds to be announced soon

Homelessness is another community issue that is front and centre at this particular time.

So much of the fabric of our community attends SPC meetings - people are becoming more aware of social issues.

The SPC struggles with the communication piece (e.g. we don't have regular representation from the City - as we used to, since Social Development Manager position was eliminated). We as a group want to ensure that the information shared via this group makes it to council.

Milo - very open to any and all feedback - feel free to contact him directly.

Mayor also wants to participate more (as able).

Having someone at the table regularly -> shared relationship (rather than a reactive relationship).

In the past, some issues that were going in front of council was brought to this table first, then feedback was provided for consideration.

At this table, you get so many groups at one time (value of this particular table).

Milo can ensure our minutes and meeting invitations get to council.

Current Council is supportive on... Transitional housing and homelessness, youth issues and are currently on the forefront of this current Council's focus.

Rosanna - part of Aboriginal Housing Management - would like to "plant the seed" of home ownership in today's time. People respect what they own, more than what they rent. Integration and belonging is integral to becoming an engaged citizen of the community. Rental stock and homelessness are related and it is good for the local economy.

Some municipalities have helped with initiatives that help citizens become home owners (sell below market value, income cap restrictions).

Anecdotal comment - owning does creates more pride (and confidence in yourself) - win-win.

Roundtable Updates

Margaret Anne (CMHA) - Race Talks Circles - next event is today from 5:30 - 7:30 at the Eagles Nest. Very safe and supportive circle to discuss race and surrounding issues.

Diane Wright - volunteering some time with the refugee support group. Financial fundraising would be welcomed as there are substantial costs they are met with (e.g. up front medical costs).

Jay Goddard (TRU) - Governance structure support from the last meeting was successful (the info went to Kamloops). This is one function of the SPC. Practicum students are busy working. Family Support Institute (parents with children of disabilities) - Jay is the first representative from our area. They can provide presentations, workshops on advocacy, support (in light of many budget cutbacks). This group is coming to WL in the spring sometime. Jay has given them a rural perspective.

Sara (TRU student, and EE of CMHA) - creating a presentation on victim services (how they help the community). Not open to the public, but invitations will follow. There is a perceived lack of knowledge of the services available for them. Mental Health first aid - getting this initiative back into our community.

Leah Selk (CCACS) - Creativity playground event (2 weekends in February). "Mixed creative bag" (posters available). Performances in the Park (deadline to apply to be a performer is around the corner). Project grants deadline is Jan 30 - if you need help applying please contact Leah asap (not the day before).

Sarah Jackman (Punky Lake) - Current initiatives are still moving forward. Still looking for a staff person. Introductory lunch and training is coming up in March.

Rosanna McGregor (Cariboo Friendship Society). Aboriginal mental health plan (10 year review underway - Adults in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region). After hours classes are important (Pro D Day time is always so full) and not everyone works on a 8 - 4:30 schedule. Mental Health clients require good front line staff. Proactive planning for addressing the diverse needs of people suffering from mental health issues. "POUR" documentary (program on the CBC's Fifth Estate available on Youtube) - worth watching as it is an alternative housing model. Controversial, but very successful for some individuals. Harm Reduction model (hard sell, but there is a need to at least discuss this at the community level). Question - could a clinic serve this function? Physician managed model. RCMP resources are often used up as a sobering service (e.g. 70% of calls are alcohol related).

Rosanna cont'- Christie Smith is looking to bring back the Batchelor of Social Work program to our area.

ACTION - Put this alternative harm reduction model on our agenda for future discussion.

Shannon Thom - Waiting to hear back regarding - Skills link program for youth (combination lifeskills and job training ) for 16 - 29. Sixth cohort of Older Workers is full (Feb 14th start date).

Larry Stranberg (Community Futures) - Aboriginal Best workshop taking place from Feb 20 - Mar 3rd held in the Conference room at CF. Need a minimum of 15 participants. Flo has more information. Succession Planning (target - Sept) - biggest economic challenge in our region as boomers are retiring but not ready to sell their business (have not planned for this yet). Chamber will help promote this initiative.

Kate Lines (BIA) - Seeding startups (program "Senior and Youth-preneurs"). Pilot project. Community events schedule - the BIA is looking to help move this Calendar of Events for the year. Google calendar was discussed at a meeting hosted at the City. Beth Holden at the City of Williams Lake is the representative to contact.

Anne Burrill - CTC Profile is almost ready to present - Housing first "mini" pilot was started in late October (6 clients have been placed in apartments with subsidies and community supports).  The feedback has been very positive (tenants and landlords are very happy). Presenting to City tomorrow. Full scale three year pilot program is now the goal. There is a new Facebook "Housing First Williams Lake).

Stacey Miranda (City of WL Accessibility) - biggest project at this time is to pursue opportunities to "Age in Place" (mock-up prototype in being created).

Kathie Vilkas (Hospice) - Practicum student helped with the Memory Tree event this year. May 7 - possible event "Hike for Hospice" fundraiser. "End of Life" training coming up again in April. Starting up a grief support group (spring priority). Lobby and advocating for palliative care beds. Calendar Girls production starts Wednesday (information booth from Hospice and raffle).

George Atamanenko (many hats) - Accessible Taxi is now available (took 3 years). The first rider who took the taxi was very happy (now she can make appointments on her own). 70 plus beds was announced.  Linking organizations is also a passion.

Carla Bullinger - the Communities that Care program (initiative of the Social Planning Council back in 2008). Community Assessment report - grades 6 - 12. The second Community assessment is now complete - Some changes:  fewer kids are high risk, more kids have higher levels of protection, 9% improvement in kids commitment to school, grade 8 alcohol consumption has gone down - Feb 15th launch of this second assessment and it's results. New priorities are being identified now moving forward. Accessibility - Plain and simple language is now a goal of the accessibility committee. Family Literacy week - the Family fest is this Sunday the 29th.

Linda Bingham (Boys & Girls Club) - Feb 25th hosting the Dream Catcher's project for youth ages 11 - 13 (celebrating 150 years of Canada). Twenty workshop spots (a Saturday event) this creative project will be taken back to Ottawa. Skills for Success program (with Punky Lake) customized workskills program for youth (employment readiness program - customizable per person). Recruiting supervised workskills employment placements. BC Youth week - first week of May. Planning for this will begin shortly.

Jamie (TRU student) - Practicum placement is with the Boys & Girls Club.

Amy (TRU student) - Practicum at Marie Sharpe Elementary.

Meeting was then adjourned. The next  SPC meeting will be held on Feb 27, 2017