Budget boost to BC's representative for children and youth
Dec, 14 2007 - 1:50 PM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - Humbled members of the legislative finance committee reversed themselves today, granting a 1.7 million dollar budget boost to BC's representative for children and youth.
The decision comes just one week after the committee pared down that request to one million dollars.
"I’m hoping that there's gonna be more Santa and less Scrooge after today."
And Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond got her wish after once again making the case for a 36 per-cent budget boost. "The decision of the committee was unanimous, that the child and youth representative receive the full budget ask." says committee chair Bill Bennett.
Bennett also says the public appreciates when politicians admit they made a mistake. New Democrat committee member Bruce Ralston says today's meeting was just to provide the government with some political cover.
"The government members have been politically embarrassed and forced into this decision, which fortunately for the office, is the right decision."
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Child Protection in BC These Days
Neglected by the province, foster care is a fast track to the streets
News Features
By Pieta Woolley. Publish Date: December 13, 2007
Georgia Straight. Excerpt:
Jody Coyen isn't surprised that half of the women Robert Pickton is guilty of killing are alumnae of the provincial foster-care system. At 34, she's already a veteran of the Downtown Eastside's street life and was friends with many of the missing women. In an interview at the Ovaltine Cafe on December 11, Coyen told the Georgia Straight that "most people down here have the same story. They were abused as children, come from alcoholic homes, stayed in foster care."
In fact, 65 percent of people who live on the street are former kids in care, according to a study commissioned by the B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations. The statistic chills the federation's president, Melanie Filiatrault. Having fostered 42 children, she knows some of them are not making good choices and are vulnerable, just like Pickton's victims.
"It just makes my heart ache," she told the Straight in a phone interview. "It's almost criminal."
********************
It is criminal, not just almost. Canada became a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. The BC government is well aware of that fact and the responsibilities this entails. The provincial & federal governments have perpetuated and encouraged an onslaught on the human rights and needs of children, youth, marginalized and vulnerable citizens. Why has this happened and why does it continue? In spite of numerous child protection reviews, inquiries and recommendations, government, media and academic reports, coroner's inquests, advocates and the Representative and the pleading of many to stop the carnage and destruction of a generation or more of people. The answer is and always has been greed, power and a complete lack of concern and disconnection from the lives of those who need and deserve government care the most.
And just so people are clear, it's no surprise Vancouver has also now been chosen as the break-in capital of North America. That the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing was shocked and brutal in his assessment of housing and homelessness BC. That BC leads the country in child poverty for the 4th year in a row. And that thousands of people in BC cannot even access income assistance to provide even basic shelter, income, food and much needed medical benefits.
News Features
By Pieta Woolley. Publish Date: December 13, 2007
Georgia Straight. Excerpt:
Jody Coyen isn't surprised that half of the women Robert Pickton is guilty of killing are alumnae of the provincial foster-care system. At 34, she's already a veteran of the Downtown Eastside's street life and was friends with many of the missing women. In an interview at the Ovaltine Cafe on December 11, Coyen told the Georgia Straight that "most people down here have the same story. They were abused as children, come from alcoholic homes, stayed in foster care."
In fact, 65 percent of people who live on the street are former kids in care, according to a study commissioned by the B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations. The statistic chills the federation's president, Melanie Filiatrault. Having fostered 42 children, she knows some of them are not making good choices and are vulnerable, just like Pickton's victims.
"It just makes my heart ache," she told the Straight in a phone interview. "It's almost criminal."
********************
It is criminal, not just almost. Canada became a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. The BC government is well aware of that fact and the responsibilities this entails. The provincial & federal governments have perpetuated and encouraged an onslaught on the human rights and needs of children, youth, marginalized and vulnerable citizens. Why has this happened and why does it continue? In spite of numerous child protection reviews, inquiries and recommendations, government, media and academic reports, coroner's inquests, advocates and the Representative and the pleading of many to stop the carnage and destruction of a generation or more of people. The answer is and always has been greed, power and a complete lack of concern and disconnection from the lives of those who need and deserve government care the most.
And just so people are clear, it's no surprise Vancouver has also now been chosen as the break-in capital of North America. That the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing was shocked and brutal in his assessment of housing and homelessness BC. That BC leads the country in child poverty for the 4th year in a row. And that thousands of people in BC cannot even access income assistance to provide even basic shelter, income, food and much needed medical benefits.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
BC Coroner's Report fails to offer meaningful insight & Recommendations for Aboriginal & MCFD children & Youth
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children in BC
Dec, 12 2007 - 4:20 PM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - Second only to motor vehicle accidents, suicide is a leading cause of death among children under 18 in BC.
The finding comes in a review of 244 child deaths between 2003 and 2006 conducted by the Child Death Review Unit of the BC Coroner's Service.
Unit director, Kelli Kilpatrick says a number of recommendations have been made, "We're working with the Firearms Canada Centre to look at the possibility of trigger locks for unsecured firearms because that kept coming up in the children's deaths we reviewed."
Kilpatrick’s says they are also working with the Ministry of Education on risk assessment protocols.
Kilpatrick was speaking on CKNW's The World Today.
**********************
Why is it that this report and review fails to discuss anything substantial about the reasons so many young people are choosing suicide? How about looking at whether they were denied intervention and support from MCFD? How about some real recommendations for proactive intervention. Right now there is a suicide epidemic for youth in the Hazelton area, what meaningful insights and recommendations does the BCCS have to offer, or MCFD? Last time I checked the province still has responsibility for child protection & safety of ALL young people.
Maybe more interest could be shown while they are ALIVE, than after they're gone. This is a tragedy and brings shame to our province.
Dec, 12 2007 - 4:20 PM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - Second only to motor vehicle accidents, suicide is a leading cause of death among children under 18 in BC.
The finding comes in a review of 244 child deaths between 2003 and 2006 conducted by the Child Death Review Unit of the BC Coroner's Service.
Unit director, Kelli Kilpatrick says a number of recommendations have been made, "We're working with the Firearms Canada Centre to look at the possibility of trigger locks for unsecured firearms because that kept coming up in the children's deaths we reviewed."
Kilpatrick’s says they are also working with the Ministry of Education on risk assessment protocols.
Kilpatrick was speaking on CKNW's The World Today.
**********************
Why is it that this report and review fails to discuss anything substantial about the reasons so many young people are choosing suicide? How about looking at whether they were denied intervention and support from MCFD? How about some real recommendations for proactive intervention. Right now there is a suicide epidemic for youth in the Hazelton area, what meaningful insights and recommendations does the BCCS have to offer, or MCFD? Last time I checked the province still has responsibility for child protection & safety of ALL young people.
Maybe more interest could be shown while they are ALIVE, than after they're gone. This is a tragedy and brings shame to our province.
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