Paul Willcocks on Children in Ministry care

Too little information on the way we treat kids in care
Tuesday, March 29, 2005

An excerpt:

VICTORIA - The Gove Inquiry, looking at the horrific death
of a little boy who should have been saved, was clear.
"Death and serious injury reviews should proceed promptly... "
The Liberals and the NDP both supported Judge Thomas Gove's
recommendations for children and families' reform.
Now it's ten years on, and a little girl is dead. Sherry Charlie
was only 19 months old when she was placed in a Port Alberni
foster home. Weeks later she was dead. Her foster father,
Ryan George, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Sherry was
battered to death."

Paying Attention:Paul Willcocks on B.C. politics and life.

Child & Youth Advocate of Vancouver - Work Plan

Sheila Davidson - Child and Youth Advocate
of the City of Vancouver.

Administrative Report & Work Plan - March 21, 2005

Covers the period of May, 2004, when Ms. Davidson
was appointed, to March, 2005.

*****************************************************
Background & History:

Reinstatement of Child and Youth Advocate at City Hall
July 29, 2003

An excerpt:

AND WHEREAS, in 1999 Council eliminated the position of Child
and Youth Advocate following the creation by the Provincial Government
of an Office of Child, Youth and Family Advocate acting as an independent
office of the Legislature;

AND WHEREAS, on February 7, 2002, the Provincial Government
announced it will eliminate the independent Office of Child, Youth
and Family Advocate and integrate Child and Family Advocate duties
with those of the Children's Commissioner, and have them no longer report
independently to the Legislature, but instead report to the Ministry of
the Attorney-General;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Council reinstate the
position of Vancouver Child and Youth Advocate, and that the
Advocate report directly to Council and its Committees.
***************************************************
Vancouver Children’s Policy

The Vancouver Children’s Policy was adopted by Council on
March 12, 1992. It is a statement of commitment to the children
of Vancouver and includes: Children’s Policy, Statement of
Entitlements and an Action Plan.

Vancouver Civic Youth Strategy (CYS) Policy

The Vancouver Civic Youth Strategy was adopted by Council
on March 28, 1995. It is a statement of commitment to work in
partnership with youth and the larger community to:

· Ensure that youth have “a place” in the city,
· Ensure a strong youth voice in decision-making,
· Promote youth as a resource to the city,
· Strengthen the support base for youth in the city.
****************************************************

Vancouver Child and Youth Advocate - Practical Model of Advocacy

This policy was adopted by Council on April 27, 1995, following
on Council’s approval of the Social Planning report on the position
of the Child and Youth Advocate.
****************************************************
Advocate's Workplan & Administrative Report-
March 24, 1997/98

The Child and Youth Advocate position grew out of the Mayor's
Task Force on Children, which released its report in May, 1988.
The first Advocate, Rita Chudnovsky, was hired in April, 1989,
and served a three-year term.
The second Advocate, Penny Parry, served a four-year term from
May, 1992, to May, 1996.
The third and current Advocate, Adrienne Montani, and served
from August 1, 1996 to 1999, when the position was dissolved due to
the creation of provincial watch dog entities, Children's Commission
and Child and Youth Advocate.

**************************************************
REVIEW OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER'S
CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCATE POSITION
June 21, 1999

MEDIA RELEASE

The Caring Community:
Accounting for the Impacts of
Provincial Government Changes

March 30, 2005 - For Immediate Release.

The Community Reconstruction Project is a three-year
study of the impacts of the changes in provincial govern-
ment policy and programs within BC’s Capital Region.
The Final Report, released March 30, 2005, describes
those impacts and the steps necessary to repair the
harmful impacts.

Twenty-eight not-for-profit agencies that provide social services
in British Columbia’s Capital region participated in the study.
Participating agencies include providers of services in rural and
urban areas to families, women, children, youth, First Nations
people, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, and
people living in poverty. Twice a year during the study, these
agencies completed surveys and met to discuss findings,
strategies and recommendations.

Community Reconstruction Project findings show
extensive evidence of harmful impacts on vulnerable
populations and on the capacity of all of the participating
agencies. There was some evidence of helpful impacts
affecting discrete populations.

The boards, staff and volunteers of the participating
agencies are concerned about the negative outcomes
of many of the provincial government’s changes.
They identify the key government changes made since
2002 that most impacted vulnerable people, agency
services and the community as a whole. The report
includes recommendations by participating agencies
for redressing the most damaging impacts.

The full version (25 pages) of The Caring Community:
Accounting for the Impacts of Provincial Government
Changes and a summary version (6 pages) is available
on the Community Council website.

The Community Reconstruction Project is an initiative of the
Community Council, funded by the United Way of Greater Victoria
and supported by a Steering Committee composed of a broad
range of individuals and organizational representatives.

For further information please contact:

Christina Peacock, Community Council, tel (250) 383-6166

Maureen Duncan, United Way of Greater Victoria, tel (250) 385-6708

Val Green, Volunteer Victoria, tel (250) 386-2269

-30-

Communications Manager
Community Council
1144 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3K8
Tel: 250-383-6166 Fax: 250-385-6712 email: christina@communitycouncil.ca
www.communitycouncil.ca www.qolchallenge.ca

Kwan Slams Hagen for Dismissing Call

To Restore Children's Commissioner

NDP MLA says Children's Commissioner was no Paper-Pusher

VANCOUVER - NDP MLA Jenny Kwan today slammed Children
and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen for saying that
restoring an independent Children's Commissioner is a
"bureaucrat's" response to child welfare.

She said that Hagen's remarks show that the Minister is not
up to his job and that he shouldn't be responsible for children
at risk.

"If Stan Hagen thinks that the independent Children's Commissioner
was just another 'bureaucrat', then he really shouldn't be in charge
of a ministry where the lives of children are at stake," said Kwan.

Kwan reminded Hagen that the office of the independent Children's
Commissioner was established in response to the recommendations
of Justice Thomas Gove following the death of Mathew Vaudreuil.
She said that without an independent watchdog, the public has no
way of assessing the adequacy of the government's response to
child deaths and injuries.

"Justice Thomas Gove and the Children's Commissioner were no
paper-pushers,"said Kwan. "They worked day and night to see that
every child death and injury was fully investigated and that we
learned something from the tragic death of Mathew Vaudreuil.
Either Mr. Hagen thinks that work wasn't important, or else the
BC Liberals have something to hide."

In 2002, the Campbell government eliminated the independent
Children's Commissioner and transferred responsibility for investigating
child deaths to the Coroner's Service - despite Gordon Campbell's
own acknowledgment in Opposition that the Coroners' service "is no
substitute" for the reviews recommended by Gove. In addition, by the
government's own admission they have not provided the Coroner's
service with sufficient resources to do the job, and since 2001 has
carried out no full, public investigations.

"After four years of BC Liberal chaos, mismanagement
and cuts at the Ministry of Children and Families, the need
for independent oversight of child protection is BC is greater
than ever," said Kwan.

Organized Crime

Canoe Network - News- Law & Order - Bikers

************************************************
Criminal Intelligence Service Canada - 2003
Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs)
Annual Report, 2003
*****************************************************************
The Nathanson Centre for the Study of Organized Crime
and Corruption at York University.

Investigation of Child Deaths & Injuries

- Debate in the Legislature

INVESTIGATION OF CHILD DEATHS AND INJURIES
J. MacPhail: Can the Minister of Children and
Family Development tell us how many children
known to the ministry have died or been injured
since they fired the independent watchdogs?

Can the Minister of Children and Family Development
tell us how many children known to the ministry have
died or been injured since they fired the independent
watchdogs?

Hon. S. Hagen: We are committed to keeping B.C.'s children
safe. We're committed to keeping families together,
but at the end of the day, a child's safety always takes
precedence over everything else.

J. MacPhail: By the minister's own information, the
number of fatalities of children in care rose from the
last year reported from the previous year. They rose
by 33 percent. So I don't know what the minister was
just doing to this House when he made that statement.

Hon. S. Hagen: I also want to remind the House that
we currently have 9,000 children in care, which is
15 percent less than what we had in 2001. That's a stark
contrast to the 45 percent rise in the number of children
in care between '95 and '01.
**************************************************
BC Coroner's Child and Youth Death Statistics
1999 to 2003

The Invisible Children:

The Products of BC's Child Welfare System

Letter to Premier Gordon Campbell about
the Child Welfare system in BC
June 16th, 2004
From Duclie McCallum - former Ombudsmen for
the Province of BC;
Joyce Preston - former Advocate for Children,
Youth & Families;
Cindy Morton - Former Commissioner for Children.

Cody's Death: How Deep an Investigation?
The Fontaine toddler died in a troubled home after
social worker cutbacks. But the Liberals killed the
Children's Commission - and its power to investigate
government fault.

Judith Ince, (Jan. 11^th 2005). The Tyee.ca
****************************************************
Premier Asked to Address Child Welfare Concerns
Mar 8 2005
CBC News VICTORIA – Three former public officials with
years of experience in child welfare are calling on Premier
Gordon Campbell to respond to their concerns about cuts
to B.C.'s child protection system. Former children's
commissioner Cynthia Morton; former child, youth and
family advocate Joyce Preston and former ombudsman
Dulcie McCallum say they're worried child welfare services
in B.C. may now be in an appalling state. But they say
there's no way of knowing, because there are no
independent watchdogs monitoring the situation.
***************************************************
Child Protection Questioned
March 9, 2005
Former children's commissioner Cynthia Morton, former
child, youth and family advocate Joyce Preston and
former ombudsman Dulcie McCallum have gone public
with their concerns over child protection after Premier
Campbell failed to respond to their letter of June 16, 2004.

By David Shreck

**************************************************
Government releases child death numbers
Mar 10 2005
CBC News VICTORIA – The B.C. government has provided
the statistics on how many children are dying in government
care, following pressure from the opposition and the media.
*********************************
Child and Youth Officer for British Columbia
Tel: 1-800-476-3933 or (250) 356-0831
cyo@gov.bc.ca

Hogg is the new Liberal caucas chair

January 19, 2005

Hogg wins popularity contest

Word coming out of today's provincial government caucus meeting,
held at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, is that former children
and family development minister Gordon Hogg has been elected
the new caucus chair. Mr. Hogg, who resigned from cabinet last year
over the Doug Walls affair, beat out Alberni-Qualicum MLA Gillian
Trumper for the job. He'll be replacing Columbia River-Revelstoke
MLA Wendy McMahon. Mr. Hogg is said to have been Premier
Gordon Campbell's favoured candidate.

Posted by Sean Holman at 06:10 PM | Category: At the Rockpile | TrackBack: (0)

CSSEA CEO is next Boss of CLBC

February 02, 2005

Bets on how long this appointment will last?

Rick Mowles, the Community Society Services Employers' Association's chief executive officer, will soon be heading the
British Columbia government's troubled community living
authority, Public Eye has learned. That job was vacated when
children and family development assistant deputy minister
Phil Goodman took a leave of absence for health reasons.
An announcement is expected as early as today. The authority
was supposed to take over responsibility for government services
for the developmentally disabled in fiscal 2003. But that takeover
was delayed following the forced resignation of its first chief
executive officer Doug Walls last year.

Posted by Sean Holman at 09:09 AM | Category: At the Rockpile | TrackBack: (0)

NDP Rebuttal to the Child And Youth Act enacted May,

The Child and Youth Act
2002-05-09

Excerpts:

Joy McPhail of the NDP:

This legislation repeals two other acts that we're going to spend
some time examining. It repeals the Child, Youth and Family
Advocacy Act and the Children's Commission Act, and this is
what we have left. It's a sorry, sorry, very poor third or fourth
cousin to those two acts.

I was looking through the legislation to see where possibly I could
turn to this legislation and see what this Liberal government's
definition of "best interests of the child" is. And you know what,
Mr. Speaker? It's nowhere in the bill. It's not even mentioned.
It's not even there that the overriding concern should be what's
in the best interests of the child. I thought: well, is that a step
backward, or is it merely carrying on what was in place before?
Here's what the previous child, youth and family advocate's
responsibilities were. "The office of the child, youth and family
advocate is established to ensure that the rights and interests
of children, youths and their families relating to designated
services are protected and advanced and that their views are
heard and considered." That's gone.Next, the advocate was
"to ensure that children, youths and their families have access
to fair, responsive and appropriate complaint and review processes
at all stages in the provision of designated services" - that's gone -
"to provide information and advice to the government and communities
about the availability, effectiveness, responsiveness and relevance of
designated services to children, youths and their families; to promote
and coordinate in communities the establishment of advocacy services
for children, youths and their families." Then lastly, the advocate was
"to perform any other functions assigned to the advocate by an enactment."
That's what's being repealed. All those are gone. How is that a step forward
for children or youths in this province?More importantly, Mr. Speaker,
the advocate reported directly to the Legislature. The advocate was
responsible not to the Attorney General, not to the government of the
day but to the Legislature. The term of the advocate was long enough
so that her or his term would span the electoral cycle and could not become
an election football.

For Our Own Good, Give Canada Away

For Our Own Good, Give Canada Away
The “deep integrationists” plan one happy continent,
but we must teach the little ones.

Tue., Feb. 22, 2005
By Murray Dobbin

The Tyee.ca

An excerpt:

As Canadians watch their daily news -- the same sex
marriage debate, the continuing saga of equalization
payments and the fight over splitting the Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in two --
the future of the country is being decided elsewhere
by unelected corporate power brokers.

This particular future is called “deep integration” and
is backed by the most powerful business groups, think
tanks and foundations in the country.
The most recent manifestation of this betrayal of Canada
is called the Task Force on the Future of North America.
Its leaked report shows the plan in its most refined form
to date.

Sound the alarm.

Murray Dobbin writes a regular State of the Nation column for The
Tyee and is the author of Paul Martin: CEO for Canada?

Task Force on the Future of Canada

The Deep Integration Agenda Continues

A friend said:

"I knew this last year. If you look at the FTAA negotiations
and also about the secret table John Manley sits at regarding
the harmonization of the military and the police, you know
what they are up to, to put it bluntly, Paul Martin slops at
the same trough as all the other globalists. He may cry
crocodile tears when looking at devastation, but he would
have to go a hell of a long ways to convince me that he isn't
a duck...."
*********************************************
Council of Canadians
News [14-Feb-05]

Confidential task force document reveals
true business agenda for Canada

OTTAWA - A confidential document from the
Task Force on the Future of North America
confirms the Council of Canadians' worst fears:
Canada's business elite are planning to push the
country toward deeper integration with the United
States, including abandoning protections for culture
and fresh water.

The task force is a joint project of the Council of
Foreign Relations (CFR) in the U.S., the Mexican
Council of Foreign Relations (MCFR), and the Canadian
Council of Chief Executives (CCCE). It is co-chaired by
former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley and
Tom d'Aquino, Chief Executive of the CCCE. The
document, reported in today's Toronto Star, is a
summary of the task force's first meeting, which
took place in Toronto in October 2004.

"The agenda is a virtual carbon copy of the CCCE's
North American Security and Prosperity Initiative,
which Tom d'Aquino has been selling since 9/11.
If you think this is just an external task force with
little influence, think again. One recommendation,
an annual Summit of the three countries' leaders,
has already been implemented," says Maude Barlow,
National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians.
====================================================
Analysis from a friend:

Among the "contentious" issues discussed
in the document are:

* Eliminating current NAFTA exemptions for
culture and certain sectors of agriculture.
* "Crafting a North American 'resource pact'
that would allow for greater intra-regional trade
and investment in certain non-renewable natural
resources, such as oil, gas, and fresh water."
* Creating an integrated North American electrical
grid.....[..]
* A "North American brand name" - one suggestion
is to portray North America as a sort of "club of
privileged members." The North American identity
is also to be reinforced through the education system.
* A "North American security perimeter," .....[..]
* "Common exclusion lists for people from third
countries."
* A "North American passport." ...[..]
* "Increased consultation on monetary policy,
with the understanding that some form of North
American currency union could become feasible in
the future."
*************************************************
"It's clear that what this task force has in
mind is a North American common market..."

Maude Barlow, National Chairperson Council of Canadians.
**************************************************
Bush's Canadian Fans Get Big Idea on Oil

Braun Mcash, (25-Nov-2004).

Provincial Budget - Fact or Fiction

Campbell's BC Government Budget

An exercept:

February 15, 2005 - BALANCED BUDGET 2005

VICTORIA — A strong economy and sound fiscal management paved the way for tax reductions benefiting lower and modest income British Columbians, increased funding for health, education and other key programs, and a record $1.7 billion debt reduction, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said today as he tabled Balanced Budget 2005.

Finance Minister’s speech and more about details on this year’s budget.

==============================================================   

Political Connections - By Bill Tieleman 

Curmudgeon Explains the Throne Speech

Publish Date: 17-Feb-2005

"Andy Rooney" laughs at Liberal "jokesters".

Did you ever hear one of these corny, positive messages on someone's answering machine? "Hi, it's a great day and I'm out enjoying it right now. I hope you are too. The thought for the day is: 'Share the love.'

Beep. "Uh, yeah...this is the VD clinic calling... Speaking of being positive, your test results are back. Stop sharing the love." -- Andy Rooney

Political Connections columnist Bill Tieleman was so confused by the B.C. Liberal government's throne speech last week that he begged his curmudgeon friend Andy Rooney of CBS's 60 Minutes to explain its positive message to readers.
===================================================
Count-Me-In Campaign Notebook -
BC Federation of Labour

February 16, 2005: Issue 7

PROVINCIAL BUDGET

Analysis of BC's good news election budget was mixed
today, with most commentators agreeing that the Liberals'
plan to inject more than $236 million into social and
economic projects is little more than an election slush fund.

"After slashing services in rural BC, it appears Premier
Campbell is going on a buying spree," noted B.C. Federation
of Labour President Jim Sinclair.

For in-depth analysis of the BC Budget, please visit
the following pages:

http://www.strategicthoughts.com/

http://www.policyalternatives.ca

Speaker restricts NDP questions

Speaker restricts NDP questions

Last Updated Feb 10 2005 05:07 PM PST CBC News

VICTORIA – New Democrats say they're disappointed and stunned by new limits imposed on question period in the B.C. legislature by Speaker Claude Richmond. Richmond told the house on Thursday that MLAs must follow strict time lines in posing questions, so more than three people can ask questions during the 15-minute question period. He said members must take no longer than a minute to pose their first question, 30 seconds for the supplementary and 20 seconds for the second supplementary question. The Speaker noted that with an election in May, "emotions and adrenaline are running high." And he cited Wednesday 's raucous question period as an example of what he wants to avoid. It was the first question period of the new session. And with the government admitting it wouldn't be able to keep its promise to create 5,000 new long-term care beds by next years, the NDP had lots of ammunition. A day later, the new limits were imposed. FROM FEB. 9, 2005: Liberals fall short of promise to seniors NDP house leader Joy MacPhail says she wonders just who's afraid of her three-member caucus – adding it will now be more difficult to hold the government to account. "All of a sudden there are brand new rules that never existed for question period before, no notice, no heads up, no consultation from the Speaker's office, and I need to know why," she says. At 15 minutes, the question period in the B.C. legislature is already the shortest in the Commonwealth.

Health Canada withdraws ADHD drug

Health Canada withdraws ADHD drug
Last Updated Thu, 10 Feb 2005 23:45:40 EST

OTTAWA - A drug to treat attention deficit disorder
is being pulled off the market by Canadian regulators,
who are reviewing the safety of similar drugs such as Ritalin.

The drug, called Adderall XR, has been linked to 20 sudden
deaths, including 14 among children, as well as a dozen strokes,
Health Canada said. Children suffered two of the strokes.

None of the deaths happened in Canada, and none were the
result of abuse, misuse or overdose of the amphetamine.

<>FROM MAY 26, 2003: Generic drugs can look like original:
Philadelphia court
**********************************************
Can’t choose your neighbours
Feb, 10 2005 - 1:00 PM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) – Residents of a small
community south of Duncan say a judge has rejected
an attempt to keep a young killer out of a group home
in the neighbourhood in Sahtlam.

As a young offender the offender killed a relative.

Security on the home has been increased and neighbours
have heard the man will be under round the clock guard
but privacy regulations are preventing them from getting
more information.
**************************************************
Why do people think young people turn to such drastic
and aggressive behaviour? In many ways, their families
and community failed them long ago, failed to protect
them, include them, respect and take care of them.
Young people deserve the chance for re-habilitation
and re-integration into community. If it is denied, they
will make the only choice available and live outside of
society's rules, morals, values and laws. And they will
continue to leave a path of destruction and pain in
their wake. As a society and a community, we must
choose to offer all youth positive opportunities, human
rights and inclusion.

Pivot & Child Care & BC Govt. Computer Security

Pivot Legal Society

Located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Pivot is a non-profit legal advocacy organization that focuses its efforts strategically to address the legal and human rights challenges commonly faced by those on the fringes of society, such as sex workers, illegal drug addicts, and the homeless.

********************************************************************************************
Child care advocates make feelings known to minister
Feb, 10 2005 - 4:00 PM

VANCOUVER (CKNW/AM980)-- The federal Minister of Social Development meets with his provincial counterparts tomorrow to work out the details of a new child care agreement, and today, child care advocates asked Ken Dryden to make sure that all of the funding promised for that program stays in child care.

They say B.C. has received nearly a quarter billion dollars for early childhood development over the past four years, but the provincial government keeps slashing its own child care budget.

Debra Mayer with the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada says politicians have been promising a national childcare program for more than two decades, and now it's time to ante up.

******************************************************************
BC Government to increase computer security
Feb, 10 2005 - 10:00 AM

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) – The B-C government is spending an extra eight million dollars over the next two years to increase the security of its computer systems.

Management Services Minister Joyce Murray says that’s a 75 percent boost in I-T security spending, made necessary by the rising tide of computer viruses and spam.

Murray says there were 8-million attempts to infect government computers with viruses and worms.

The state's obligation to children

As Prilleltensky (2001) wrote in Chapter 3 "...the state also has an obligation to attend to children, not only in the form of protection from harm, but in securing sufficeint material resources as well. For children to get their fair share they require strong-willed advocates."

Prilleltensky, Nelson, & Peirson (2001). Promoting Family Wellness and Preventing Child Maltreatment. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press.

The Beginning of a New Idea

From my perspective, it seems that systems should be more flexible, some families need some support, easy to access community resources, including universal daycare. Some families do well with brief, intensive solution-focused work. There are other families that need longer term intervention in a variety of ways. I really found Chapter 5 in Prilleltensky(2001) very informative in thinking about how to move away from more reactive services and create more responsive, proactive programs that promote family wellness and reduce child harm.

Goddess Kali, Creator & Destroyer 

Welcome to Kali Advocacy Project

Well, here I am, my first blog. And I started it at 1:20am, when I should be sleeping. Work is affecting my brain too much tonight, so I had to get up and this is where I found myself. It's been a while in coming though. I have been trying out different web formats for this project, but hadn't settled on one, nothing really fit. Maybe this is it. I will have to put some thought into this & learn how things work. Will post more about the project later, when I am procrastinating from writing papers or something, I seem to be my most creative and motivated then. Goodnight.