What’s Working for BC’s Youth?

On June 9th and 10th, 2008, MCFD held "Strong, Safe and Supported: A Congress on BC's Children and Youth". Approximately 300 delegates heard from the Honourable Premier Campbell, Ministers Christensen and Reid, Deputy Minister du Toit and numerous presenters from around the province whose programs and services are making a difference for BC's children and youth.

What's Working Committee: Sara Bristow, Vanessa Currie and Dr. Phillip Cook

The first day of the Congress focused on the report What's Working for Children, Youth and Families in BC, consisting of presentations on successful and innovative projects across BC. The presentations highlighted the five good-practice themes outlined in the report: child-centered, family and community-based, systems change, cultural touchstones and sound process.

Six programs were selected from a larger group of nominated services to present to Congress attendees:

FRIENDS for Life (Provincial Office) – a school-based early intervention and prevention program that helps children cope with and manage anxiety and depression now and later in life.

VAST Education Centre (Vancouver Island) – an alternative school program for high risk youth in Port Alberni.

Roving Youth Leaders (Vancouver Coastal) – identifies and bridges service gaps for at risk youth.

Coming Home Camps (North) – connects Aboriginal children in care and their families with the children’s territorial lands, communities, culture and traditions.

Newton Family Resource Program (Fraser) – an informal program for parents, grandparents, caregivers and children under age 6 that focuses on parent education and family support.

Community Action Towards Children’s Health Program (CATCH) (Interior) – establishing priorities for Early Childhood Development.

All nominated services are examples of the excellent programs in place across BC showing how global “promising practice” in strengths-based approaches to supporting children and families are working in the province.

Day two of the Congress focused on Transformation with a ‘where do we go from here’ theme. DM Lesley du Toit spoke passionately about the transformation vision and the importance of our work and our practices. Her call to action including focus on each child individually and in the moment was memorable and inspiring.

In a spontaneous response to the Deputy Minister’s address, Grand Chief Stewart Philip also spoke about the importance and meaning of the Congress and described his support for the Deputy Minister and the transformation vision.

Another highlight of the day was a speech from Reverend Dr. Martin Brokenleg, both moving and meaningful. He spoke of the four aspects of the Circle of Courage as universal needs in each life of a child stating, “When a person is in crisis we need to surround them with attachment.”

The final day of the Congress also included a panel discussion with MCFD’s Leadership Team about their work towards transformation. Attendees also listened to informative presentations from a variety of groups, including the Youth Advisory Council and Family Finders, each demonstrating how such programs have made a positive difference in the life of a child in BC.

DVD recordings of the two-day Congress have been sent to all Regions to provide staff with an opportunity to experience the highlights. To keep the momentum of transformation moving, each region will be hosting their own congress in the next few months to further highlight “What’s Working” in their region.