Kudos to…

• On April 18th, 14 people representing 11 different First Nation and Métis communities throughout the Interior Region successfully completed the first phase of the Aboriginal child protection mediation training program. Through this recognized and credible training program, participants gain effective conflict-resolution skills and are encouraged to draw not only from contemporary strategies, but also from traditional values and teachings that customarily maintain balance within family and community. Upon successful completion of the practicum requirements, participants will be eligible and encouraged to apply to the BC Mediator Roster Society.

• On March 8th, Jennifer Mervyn, a CYMH Clinician in White Rock, was presented with a Celebrating Women & the Spirit of the Cranes (Gold) award, which recognizes outstanding women in Metro Vancouver. Jennifer’s nomination was for her work in the community, particularly with youth. Last year she led a photo-therapy project with street involved youth that garnered international attention at the United Nations’ World Urban Forum.
  
  The photography depicted the youths’ interpretations of issues such as hunger and homelessness, and how these issues affected their lives, families, and community. Jennifer has also been internationally recognized for her film “Metamorphosis: An In-Depth Look at the Lives of Former Street Kids”.

• Twenty-five Innovation Champions across the Public Service participated in the first Innovation Conference in September. Andrea Ames (Transformation Support Team, Victoria) and Diane Bruce (Practice Development Team, Surrey) and Anne Kishiyama (Deputy Director, Adoptions, Interior Region) were nominated and chosen as the Innovation Champions representing MCFD. As Innovation Champions, these two will help facilitate innovation and create the habitat for generating new ideas in the BC public service.

• Jackie Matvenko, HR Advisor in Cranbrook, issued a challenge to the offices on her caseload to do away with the blue paper pay stub. The Castlegar District Office is the first office to report the demise of the blue stubs and will be awarded a team prize. Although other offices still have a few folks who haven't changed, there is a number of staff in each of them who have opted for ‘electronic’.