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** December 2023 News & Notes
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** Here's what's going on at CAI
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* Welcoming Jermia
* Interior Health Peer Advisors Resource – Talking to People who Use Substances
* Community Learning Opportunities, External Grants, Jobs & Events
* Articles & Media

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** Welcoming Jermia
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Jermia Foncham is the new Project Manager for the Overdose Prevention and Education Network (OPEN) ([link removed]) at CAI. She has a clinical background with a Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science from the University of Buea, Cameroon. She also holds a Master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Osaka, Japan and a Master’s degree in Community Health and Population Science from the University of Saskatchewan.

Jermia has had experience working in different areas of research throughout her educational career which includes working as a research assistant in the following areas: typhoid, malaria, microbiology, cancer, and different areas of population health research. She also worked with the Public Health Agency of Canada as a student public health officer, particularly in updating the health status report of the Northern Intertribal Health Authority from 2016-2022 (including areas such as communicable disease, COVID-19, immunization and community wellbeing).

She has also worked as a support worker for the Light House Supported Living, Saskatchewan where she supported persons with mental health and substance use. She has also worked as a program coordinator with the Sickle Cell Foundation, Cameroon and the BC Centre for Excellence for HIV/AIDS Research as a Research Coordinator focusing on evaluating barriers. and health care experiences among persons with substance use and other risk groups living with HIV across BC.

In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies and trying out new recipes.
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** Interior Health Peer Advisors Resource – Talking to People who Use Substances
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A new resource is available to guide and support front-line staff who provide care to people who use substances (PWUS). Interior Health Peer Advisors (people with lived and living experience of substance use) guided the creation of this resource to support clinical staff to feel better equipped to talk to, collaborate with, and care for people who use substances.

This guide is intended to support collaborative conversations with people who use substances, including legal substances such as alcohol.

Click here to access the guide! ([link removed])

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** Community Learning Opportunities, External Grants, Jobs & Events
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UVIC Study: Evaluating Guidelines for Prescribed Safer Supply

Have you received a prescription (or a "script") from a doctor/nurse practitioner for safer supply in the last 30 days? Do you live in BC? Are you at least 16 years old? You may be eligible for the Evaluation of safer supply initiatives to reduce illicit drug overdose in BC research study. There is a $30 honorarium for completed survey and surveys will take between 30-45 minutes to complete.

Drs. Karen Urbanoski and Bernie Pauly at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and Dr. Brittany Barker at the First Nations Health Authority are conducting the research. Participants in the study will complete 4 surveys over 6 months. Each survey takes about 30-45 minutes to complete and can be done over the phone or in person. Participants will be compensated for their time for each survey.

If you would like to participate in this study or receive more information:
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Phone: 250-580-5376 or 1 (800) 505-8120.
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UBC Study: Career Development in Recovery

Are you interested in participating in a series of free group counselling sessions regarding career development in recovery? Are you thinking about making a change in your career or are you looking for a new job? Have you had a problem with substance use in the past but within the past year, had no severe or major problems?

If you answered yes to all three questions, please consider participating in this research study opportunity as a paid participant
If you are interested in participating or learning more about this research project, follow this link for more information ([link removed] ) .
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Applications Open: Island Health - Health Equity Research Seed Grants

Island Health is currently accepting applications for two grants of up to $12,500 each for health equity research projects in the Greater Victoria area. These grants are for projects that aim to advance health equity and eliminate health disparities by improving outcomes and/or access to health care and services for equity-deserving groups on the Island.

The Lead Applicant may be from Island Health or from another organization. If the Lead Applicant is from another organization, an Island Health employee or affiliated health professional must be co-lead.
Applications are due online by December 18th at 4 pm.
Visit the Island Health website to learn more and to apply. ([link removed])

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Applications Open: FCSSBC Transformative Reconciliation program

Applications are open for the 4th cohort of FCSSBC ([link removed]) 's Transformative Reconciliation program ([link removed]) . This program has been designed for Federation members to engage in transformative reconciliation through collaborative learning, design, and practice. Senior leaders are invited to engage in difficult conversations in a supportive space to transform their practice and embody the calls to action. The action-oriented design is ideal for leaders who are keen to create real-world approaches to reconciliation that are founded on decolonizing principles and Indigenous Knowledges in their local context. The program is designed to be inclusive of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants and Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations.

Bursaries are available. If your organization is located in BC and you have a total annual budget of less than $7 million, you qualify for a bursary fee reduction of 50%. Please reach out to Suncha Baptiste, Education Manager, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to learn more.

The application deadline is December 15, 2023.
Click here to learn more and apply ([link removed]) .
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CMHA BC Peer Employment Report

CMHA BC ([link removed]) has released a research report about the experiences of peers with lived or living experience working in the mental health and substance use sector. Researchers found power imbalances, unequal pay, and a lack of opportunity for upward mobility. Guided by peer participants and the peer research team, the report includes systemic recommendations on how to correct these imbalances and create the conditions necessary for peers in the MHSU sector to thrive.

You can find the report and more information on this project here ([link removed]) .
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HelpWithDrinking.ca

HelpWithDrinking.ca is a new website to raise awareness of resources and treatments available to Canadians for alcohol use disorder. Get information and guidance about alcohol use based on evidence and lived experience.

No bias. No judgment.

Developed by the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse ([link removed]) and BC Centre on Substance Use ([link removed]) , this website offers information and resources for the public and for health care providers based on the first-ever Canadian guideline for treating high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder ([link removed]) .
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** Articles & Media
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Press Release: First-of-its-kind, seamless addictions care available in Vancouver ([link removed])
People with addiction challenges are getting better, seamless treatment and recovery care through the new Road to Recovery initiative at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Article: Greater Victoria group stitches together relief from loneliness ([link removed])
Immigrant population more likely to deal with feelings of loneliness. A sewing initiative that was started to help people battle loneliness is now preparing for its first market day.

Video: 998 Suicide Crisis Hotline Launching November 30th ([link removed])
Stacy Ashton of the Crisis Centre of BC speaks to Global News about the launch of 988, the new national crisis hotline.

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Community Action Initiative | 1183 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2X5
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
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We recognize that we conduct our work on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations
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