Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO: Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM: Child and Youth Advocate
SUBJECT: Progress Report - Child & Youth Advocate
 

INFORMATION

POLICY

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. (See Appendix 1 for copies of the policy and statement of entitlements.)

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:

The implementation of the CYS is an on-going venture in which policy, objectives and principles of the CYS are translated into action. (See Appendix 2 for an overview of the Strategy.)

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.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The term of the third Child & Youth Advocate for the City of Vancouver began in August 1996. On March 24, 1997 City Council approved the Advocate’s workplan for 1997/98. The purpose of this report is to summarize for Council the scope of the Advocate’s work over the past two years in relation to this workplan and to bring outstanding work commitments as of July 31, 1999 to the attention of Council.

SUMMARY

This report describes the major areas of activity the Child and Youth Advocate has been involved in over the past two years on behalf of the city’s children, youth and families. Work has focused on strengthening the network of child and youth services through increasing collaboration and cooperation, advocating for a social environment that is supportive of parents and families, improving inclusion of Aboriginal and culturally diverse populations, supporting youth to have a direct voice on civic and other issues and raising public awareness of the rights and needs of children and youth in Vancouver.

The concluding section outlines for Council current projects and priorities for the Advocate position and areas of work in progress that will need immediate attention as of July 31, 1999.

DISCUSSION

The Child & Youth Advocate is mandated to focus on issues of concern to children and youth up to the age of eighteen. The Civic Youth Strategy (CYS) stretches that mandate to the age of twenty-four. In practice, it has been difficult to give equal attention in this term to the issues affecting children and youth across the full age spectrum. The implementation of the Civic Youth Strategy was still quite new in the fall of 1996. Consequently the Advocate felt a responsibility to work hard to develop and sustain this area of work. While some of the implementation work, particularly in the area of strengthening the network of services for children and youth, has overlapped with work affecting younger children, more time has been spent in the first two years on youth issues than on other areas the workplan was designed to address.

The work on youth issues has involved working directly with youth to support them in articulating their priorities and concerns and in taking action to achieve their goals. Through the Civic Youth Strategy Core Committee the youth have focused on the goals of improved youth participation in civic government, improved access to safe social and recreational activities in the city, improved understanding of and access to employment or work experience opportunities within the civic workforce, and the needs of disadvantaged or marginalized youth. The Advocate has also focused on the needs of the most vulnerable youth: those involved in street life, Aboriginal youth, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, immigrant and refugee youth and youth living in poverty.

Bringing attention to the issues of child and family poverty and the importance of preventative supports and services for children, youth and families have been deliberate focuses throughout these two years of work. These issues were continually reinforced as priorities through information-gathering visits to meet with over 100 local service providers and numerous meetings and forums with parents, youth and community advocates. (See Appendix 3 for details of community contacts.)

The Advocate’s work has been shaped by a number of external factors as well. Shortly after the start of the term, the provincial government created the new Ministry for Children and Families (MCF). This massive reorganization of government and contracted services to children, youth and families occurred in a time of fiscal restraint. The Advocate worked hard to support local community members and organizations in their individual and collective efforts to have a say in the re-design of children’s and youth services across the city. The reorganization of the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Richmond Health Board also had impacts on the services available to children, youth and families. Cutbacks and policy changes to student services within the school district have generated significant anxiety for parents. Throughout these changes, the Advocate has worked to encourage child and youth serving systems to improve their communication, coordination and collaborative efforts.

In the context of these influences, events and consultations, and guided by the Vancouver Children’s Policy and Statement of Entitlements, the Advocate’s workplan targeted four priorities:

A. Collaboration and cooperation in strengthening the network of child and youth services.

Vancouver Coalition for Children and Youth (VCCY)

Ministry for Children and Families (MCF)

Services to “at risk” and “high risk” youth

Other coordination work

B. Supporting Parents and Families

Windows of Opportunity

United Way Steering Committee on the Future of our Community’s Children

B.C. Council for Families Work Life Collaboration

Brief to City Council in response to the proposal to withdraw the compressed work week for City employees

Anti-poverty work

Child and Youth Friendly Communities

Miscellaneous activities

C. Inclusion of Aboriginal and Culturally Diverse Populations

City-supported Youth Workers

Vancouver Aboriginal Council

Inner City Foster Parents Project

National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation

Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Program

Urban Native Youth Research Project

Red Wire Magazine

D. Public Education and Civic Consultation

Public speaking engagements

Responding to public and media enquiries

Up-dated Fact Sheet on Children and Youth in Vancouver

Civic Youth Consultations

Case advocacy requests

Besides the value of supporting individuals to find the help they need, this work is instructive in profiling the kinds of difficulties parents, children and youth are encountering. Recurring issues help identify a need for systemic or policy changes. These calls most frequently concern topics such as education services, custody and access matters, child protection issues, and access to housing and income assistance. A summary of individual advocacy requests by topic is provided in Appendix 5.

CONCLUSION: CURRENT AND FUTURE WORKPLAN PRIORITIES

… Updated report card/fact sheet on Vancouver’s children and youth.

… Public awareness and service improvement campaigns regarding:

… Reports to Council and projects arising from recommendations in 1998 Civic Youth Strategy progress report:

… Support and training for parent advocacy and involvement in schools.

… Support for the creation of a multipurpose youth development institute.

As of July 31, 1999 the following appointments, projects and committee work will require attention:

… Report back to Council on ways to enhance opportunities for youth employment, work experience and mentorship within civic workplaces
… Report back to Council on the opportunities and obstacles related to late night social/recreational activities and venues for youth within the City
… Recruitment and support of Civic Youth Strategy Core Committee youth participants
… Disbursement and oversight of CYS budget
… Organization of CYS Core Committee and Departmental Representatives meetings
… City representation on the United Way Future of our Community’s Children Steering Committee
… City representation on the Vancouver Coordinating Committee for Children, Youth and Families
… City representation on the Vancouver Coalition for Children and Youth Steering Committee
… City representation on the Vancouver Alliance Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth
… City representation on the Society for Children and Youth of B.C.’s Child and Youth Friendly Communities Working Group
… City Representation to the Vancouver Aboriginal Council Youth Portfolio
… Liaison between street-involved youth and police department

* * * * *


pe990729.htm

Vancouver Children’s Policy
March 12,1992

Whereas, the City of Vancouver believes that children are our most important resource and represent our hope for the future, and
Whereas, the City of Vancouver believes that all are enriched by the presence of children in our community and that children are valued and welcomed members of our neighbourhoods, and
Whereas, the City of Vancouver recognizes that the care and nurture of the City’s children is a shared responsibility between families and the broader community and requires the commitment of private and public resources to support the development of every child, and
Whereas, the City of Vancouver recognizes that public policies must strengthen and protect the ability of families and communities to care for their children, and
Whereas, the City of Vancouver believes that every child has the right to the material, social, cultural and emotional sustenance necessary for healthy development, and
Whereas, the City of Vancouver recognizes that meeting children’s needs requires closer integration of economic, social and environmental policy, and
Whereas, the City of Vancouver recognizes that children’s needs cross many governmental and jurisdictional boundaries,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF VANCOUVER WILL:

Endorse the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and actively work with families, communities, and all levels of government to ensure that the entitlements and standards within the Convention are achieved
Promote the well-being of children and make the defence of their entitlements a civic priority be ensuring that all civic decisions take into account and meet the needs of children.
Ensure that neighbourhoods are planned and maintained in a manner that provides safe, secure and supportive environments for families and children.
Strive for equity of outcome for all of Vancouver’s children by supporting and adopting policies that promote both economic and social justice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    STATEMENT OF CHILDREN’S

ENTITLEMENTS
March 12,1992

    The City of Vancouver believes that all children are entitled to:
    1. A basic standard of living that provides for adequate nutrition and housing, supports healthy physical and mental development and ensures access to health, educational, childcare, cultural, leisure and recreational opportunities.

      2. 2. Access to high quality, community-based services that are culturally appropriate, child-centred, affordable and non-stigmatizing.

    3. 3. Policies and programs that support and enhance the ability of families to care for their children and that are directed at preventing problems and reducing the factors which put children at risk.

    4. 4. Freedom from family and societal violence, physical and sexual abuse or exploitation, neglect, emotional harm and abandonment and protection from these as needed.

    5. 5. Respect for their cultural and linguistic heritage within a community that values diversity.

    6. 6. Participate in their neighbourhoods, in the programs and services which they use, and in their own cultural communities to the highest level appropriate to their developmental capacity.

    7. 7. Live, learn and play in neighbourhoods that are planned with their developmental needs and interests in mind.

    8. Be heard and treated with respect and dignity.

OVERVIEW OF THE CIVIC YOUTH STRATEGY

1. The Civic Youth Strategy is a municipal government initiative designed and developed in consultation with youth. On March 28, 1995 the City Council of Vancouver unanimously approved the CYS.

2. The CYS is civic government’s formal statement of commitment to work in partnership with youth and the larger community on issues affecting youth. The implementation of the CYS is an on-going venture in which the policy, objectives and principles of the CYS are translated into action.

3. The Civic Youth strategy includes:

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Liaison with service providers and programs:

… Youth Safehouses (3)
… RayCam Community Centre
… Dusk to Dawn Youth Resource Centre
… Children’s Foundation
… Youth and Family Worker (Douglas Elem.)
… Child, Youth and Family Support Coalition
… Multicultural Family Support Services
… Immigrant Services Society of B.C.
… The Gathering Place
… Residential Caregivers Network
… Downtown Eastside Youth Activities Society/Youth Action Centre
… Urban Native Youth Association (A.W.A.Y., Aries, Safehouse, Outreach)
… GAB (The Centre)
… Vancouver Police (ride-along)
… Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
… Kiwassa Neighbourhood House
… Adolescent Services Unit, Ministry for Children and Families
… Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre
… Early Childhood Advisory Committee
… Aunt Leah’s Independent Life Skills Society(Annual General Meeting)
… Nisha Family and Children’s Services Society (Annual General Meeting)
… Mt. Pleasant Community Centre
… South Vancouver Family Place
… Britannia Community Centre (Latin American youth worker)
… Trout Lake Community Centre (Vietnamese youth worker)
… Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services, Child & Youth Services
… Strathcona Elementary School and Community Centre
… S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
… First Nations programs, Vancouver School District
… Cedar Cottage Area Services Team
… Downtown Eastside Coalition (on Juveniles in the sex trade)
… Hastings SunriseYouth Workers Network
… Aboriginal Friendship Centre/Head Start Project
… Brenda Carr Studio
… Living Wall Garden Project
… Westside Family Place
… Covenant House
… Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies
… Prostitution Alternatives Counselling and Education (PACE)
… Vancouver Aboriginal Council
… Family Services – Family Life Education Programs
… Street Youth Job Action
… Inner City Foster Parents Project
… Street Level Drop-in
… Renfrew Colllingwood Youth Services
… Street Youth Services and Creative Opportunities for Youth, Family Services of Greater Vancouver
… West Coast Youth Net Society
… Gordon House Youth SEARCH
… Crabtree Corner
… Vancouver Foundation Youth in Philanthropy group
… The Mentoring Partnership
… VanCity Place for Youth
… Urban Youth Allliance

Other meetings and forums attended with community members and advocates:

… Symposium on the Rights of the Child
… Society for Children and Youth (Board meeting, Child & Youth Friendly Communities Roundtable)
… C&Y Population Health Advisory Committee, Van./Richmond Health Board
… Environmental Youth Alliance (Shakti project, Youth-Driven conference)
… Urban Youth Alliance (Housing forum)
… Native Youth Movement
… Mid-Town Youth Services Forum
… Street Youth Forums at the Gathering Place (2)
… Citywide Youth Initiative, Vancouver School District (2 events)
… Parents Voice meetings
… MacDonald Elementary School
… Grandview Elementary School
… Hastings Sunrise parents meeting
… First Call Child & Youth Advocacy Movement (Spotlight on Children Campaign)
… Office of the Provincial Child, Youth and Family Advocate
… Ombudsman’s Office (2 forums re children’s rights)
… Out From the Shadows International Summit on Sexually Exploited Children and Youth
… Vancouver Coalition for Children & Youth Forum and Conference on Sexually Exploited Children and Youth
… End Legislated Poverty (poverty and child apprehension)
… Downtown South Youth Services Planning Forum
… Working Group on Poverty
… MOSAIC (Human rights and immigrants and refugees forum)
… Section 9 Working Group (youth agreements pilot)
… Early Childhood Educators Conference
… Campaign 2000 (children’s poverty focus)
… Red Wire Magazine (Aboriginal youth)
… Pregnant and Parenting Teens meetings
… Riley Park Youth Leadership Group
… Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C.
… Vancouver Aboriginal Council - Youth Portfolio
… Vancouver Aboriginal Council - Children and Families Portfolio
… SUCCESS Youth Leadership Millennium Leadership Training Program

Speaking engagements:

… Cedar Cottage Area Services Team
… Yokohama visiting delegation
… Nisha Family and Children’s Services Society Annual General Meeting
… South Vancouver Family Place Annual General Meeting
… Park Board (Youth Services Evaluation)
… Urban Native Youth Association A.W.A.Y. program
… UBC students (Japanese students and Faculty of Education)
… Douglas Elementary School Challenge Class
… Youth Worker Advocacy training
… GVRD Social Issues Committee
… Partners at Work student orientation
… National Indo-Canadian Council Conference
… Community Centre Associations Conference
… Repeal S. 43 of the Criminal Code (corporal punishment of children) rally
… West Coast Youth Net youth group
… SPARC of BC Annual General Meeting
… United Way Future of Our Community’s Children Breakfast Launch
… National Council of Jewish Women

SUMMARY: INDIVIDUAL CASE ADVOCACY REQUESTS


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