July 2024 News & Notes
Here's what's going on at CAI
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An Important Update on CAI
We are pleased to announce that effective July 22, 2024, Community Action Initiative Society of BC (CAI) will begin receiving and disseminating funds as a fully independent organization. Previously, CAI worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division (CMHA BC) to receive and disseminate grants. CAI’s mandate to serve the mental health and substance use sectors remains unchanged, and the impact on grantees and partners will be minimal.
This evolution in CAI’s capacity is a moment for reflection and celebration. Over the next few months, CAI will be rolling out a new grant infrastructure, a new look and feel, and multiple new granting opportunities. CAI looks forward to continuing to work alongside CMHA BC, the Province of BC, Health Sciences Association and all of you to create new ways forward for all British Columbians who see the community mental health and substance use sector as an integral part of the health and care system for them and their loved ones.
Read the full release here.
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International Overdose Awareness Day 2024
 Toxic drugs are now the leading cause of death for people aged 10-59 in BC, accounting for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural disease combined. Since the declaration of the public health emergency in 2016, more than 14,000 people have died in BC because of toxic drugs.
Taking place on August 31st, we will mark International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) with a continued sense of grief, urgency, and hope. This year's IOAD theme is “Together we can” because no one should stand alone in our fight to end overdose. We believe in the power of community and what communities can achieve when they come together over a shared goal.
As IOAD approaches, CAI will be compiling and publishing events taking place across BC on our blog. We invite all community members and organizations to send their IOAD event details to [email protected].
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Provincial Peer Network Evaluation - Accepting EOI
CAI is now accepting expressions of interest to support the evaluation of the Provincial Peer Network (PPN).
The PPN is a network of 25 drug user organizations across BC engaged in community response to the Unregulated Drug Poisoning Crisis. The evaluation will utilize a participatory and collaborative approach, working with the PPN grantee network, individual funded groups, health authorities, CAI, and the province to evaluate Phase 4 of the PPN initiative and the established charter that guides the project.
For more details and to apply, visit the CAI website.
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Join CAI's Board of Directors
 CAI’s Board of Directors is currently seeking expressions of interest for 2-3 new volunteer Directors who are willing to let their name stand for election or appointment to Board. We are currently looking for Directors with a CPA designation, and/or expertise in mental health and substance use challenges in regions outside the Lower Mainland.
The role of CAI’s Board is to steward the organization by determining, monitoring, and ensuring appropriate organizational performance.
To see more information about the role and to apply, please visit our website.
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Community Learning Opportunities, External Grants, Jobs & Events
Report: Under Pressure - 2024 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector
 Under Pressure: 2024 State of BC’s Non-Profit Sector Report is the fourth installment in a series initiated by a partnership between Vantage Point, Vancouver Foundation, Victoria Foundation, City of Vancouver, United Way British Columbia and Vancity Community Foundation.
In this year’s state of the sector survey, 558 non-profit organizations across BC were surveyed on various trends to provide a snapshot of and insights into the state of the sector in British Columbia through two key themes (a) less resilient times and (b) overburdened.
Access the full report here.
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Research: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who use drugs in three Canadian cities: a cross-sectional analysis
New research has been published in the Harm Reduction Journal that explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who use drugs in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs (PWUD) in Canada. However less is known about jurisdictional commonalities and differences in COVID-19 exposure and impacts of pandemic-related restrictions on competing health and social risks among people who use drugs living in large urban centres.
Click here to access the publication.
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