On March 19th 2020, CAI sent out a communication to all of our community partners and newsletter recipients regarding our actions around COVID-19. We continue to do our best to adapt and respond to the rapid changes unfolding in BC due to this emergency. In these unprecedented times, we are working hard to ensure we remain connected despite physical distancing, and would like to reassure our community partners that we fully support the actions you take to prioritize the health and safety of your staff, clients and the communities you serve. You can be certain that CAI remains committed to equity-oriented funding principles, including flexibility.
If you have not already done so, you can read the entire March 19th release here.
Since then, the BC Government announced an additional $5 million in funding to expand existing mental health services across the province. Of the $5 million announced, $1 million has been allocated to the Community Counselling Program to support emergent COVID-19 related mental health and substance use needs.
We will continue to share information about CAI's COVID-19 response on our website and newsletter.
Municipal Harm Reduction Grant Recipients
The Community Wellness and Harm Reduction Grant was launched to support community partnerships on focused, action-oriented harm reduction projects or initiatives, tailored to meet local needs. Grant funding was available to BC municipalities or regional districts that partnered with their regional Health Authority to develop collaborative harm reduction projects to enhance the knowledge, skills and resources for individuals, families and communities to be safer, healthier and more inclusive.
The following is a list of the twenty-four BC municipalities that were awarded a Community Wellness and Harm Reduction Grant:
- City of Abbotsford
- City of Campbell River
- City of Chilliwack
- City of Kamloops
- City of Langford
- City of Langley and Township of Langley
- City of Merritt
- City of Penticton
- City of Port Alberni
- City of Powell River
- City of Prince George
- City of Revelstoke
- City of Richmond
- City of Trail
- City of Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
- City of Vernon
- City of Victoria
- City of West Kelowna
- Corporation of the City of Cranbrook
- Corporation of the Village of Alert Bay
- District of Hope
- District of Houston
- District of Kitimat
- District of Lake Country
To learn more about the the Community Wellness and Harm Reduction Grants,
visit our website.
Please note: we have made a small change to our CAI website and e-mail addresses!
Please take a moment to update your bookmarks and contact information. Thank you!
In September 2016, CAI initiated the
Overdose Prevention and Education Network (OPEN) in response to the declaration of an overdose emergency in BC. Through its past three phases, OPEN has funded a selection of coalitions across BC comprised of diverse community stakeholders, who collectively respond to complex local issues related to the overdose crisis.
The most recent phase, known as "
OPEN Phase 3", included a robust participatory evaluation process. This process was led by an
Evaluation Steering Committee (ESC) comprised of peers and service providers representing OPEN-funded communities, and CAI staff.
The ESC's task was to identify and summarize the scope of work peers are leading in reducing harm and preventing overdoses, OPEN's successes and community impact, and community-identified gaps in peer support.The result is a four page infographic that aims to summarize these findings.
You can view the results here!
Principled Engagement with Indigenous People
In January of this year, CAI met on unceded Squamish, Tseil-Waututh, and Musqueam lands, and welcomed Rain Daniels and Chelsey Branch to guide our Leadership Council and staff through a day of learning focused on
Principled Engagement with Indigenous People.
Jennifer Alsop, Manager of Policy and Evaluation, has published a blog post exploring the process, and the work CAI has in front us on our personal and collective journeys to ensure we are doing good, justice orientated work that meaningfully works towards the Calls to Action published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
You can read Jennifer's post
here.
We're Hiring!
Are you interested in joining the CAI team? We are currently hiring for two positions:
For more information about these positions and to apply, click through to the links above.
Apply soon!
Applications close April 24th.
Community Updates, Resources & Learning Opportunities
CMHA - Stay Well In Uncertain Times
In response to COVID-19, the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division has launched "Stay Well", a website to help British Columbians find help, information and support in these uncertain times. This includes their expanded mental health supports available through funding from the Province of BC.
Click here to access the CMHA Stay Well website.
BC Non-profit COVID-19 Impact Survey
Non-profits are doing their very best to keep our communities together. Being on the front line, this makes you a crucial source of information. Vantage Point has launched a BC-wide survey to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the not-for-profit sector.
The BC Nonprofit Impact Survey wants to know: How has COVID-19 impacted your organization? Where do you need funding and support?
In recognition of your time, survey respondents can enter to win a $50 London Drugs gift card. Please see the instructions at the end of the survey (only one survey per organization please!).
Click here to take the survey.
Reichert Covid-19 Work Impact Survey
Reichert and Associates have launched a survey intended to take a snapshot of what is happening to all organizations in Canada in this current moment in time, from both a changing work environment and a mental health standpoint. The tool is available free for all organizations in Canada to use and is open to every employee.
Reichert will also make your unique organization’s data available to you. To participate, contact Reicher’s survey administrator: [email protected]. Reichert will send you a dedicated survey link, which will enable you to distribute the survey to your staff and keep your data together. If you’re curious about content, you can ask for a demo of the survey to review in advance. This is a great opportunity to better understand and respond to the shared experience of your team!
For more information please visit their website.
What's Caught Our Attention
Check out what's caught our attention in April 2020!
Visit the blog section of our website to access videos, articles, books and other media related to the Mental Health and Substance Use sector.
This month's entry includes the new PHABC citizen engagement and resource website, COVID-19 Harm Reduction Resources, and an article on anti-racist action during COVID-19.
Read the blog here.
Please note: we have made a small change to our CAI website and e-mail addresses!
