The Skeena
A research team from the University of British Columbia (UBC) is coming to Smithers and Terrace to learn about the experiences of children and youth with support needs (CYSN).
Members from the Family Voices project are visiting Smithers and Terrace as part of a study contracted by the Minister of Children and Family Development through the Family Support Institution of B.C.
The goal is to find out the successes and gaps in the system through direct engagement with different communities. They are going to 16 places in B.C. to hear individual stories, which will be anonymously collected to inform future government strategies.
“It’s important that the public be able to give their feedback to ministries. But also, I hope that they do act on it, yes, and take this information, and then it becomes useful and becomes change for these communities,” said Tracy Humphreys, project coordinator at the Family Support Institute.
She said they tried to focus on northern communities, especially non-urban centres, where there hasn’t been previous engagement. Prince Rupert, Terrace, Smithers, Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek, and Fort Saint John are on the tour list.
The engagement trips are expected to be completed by September 2024.
In addition to giving feedback, this is an ideal opportunity for individuals with support needs or their families to get immediate suggestions and resources they may not know about. Project facilitators can connect them with support services and help them navigate the system.
Family Voices is asking self-advocates, children and youth with complex needs, and individuals with dual diagnoses to meet with them. Dual diagnosis can mean someone with disabilities and also mental health support needs.
The team will receive visitors in Smithers on Wednesday, August 14th, and refreshments will be served. Depending on the number of attendees, focus groups and one-on-one interactions will take place.
Humphreys said they have already visited Gibsons and Sechelt, and issues of housing, aging and lack of access to disability services have come up.
The Family Support Institution has been a provincial organization for almost 40 years. They provide a wide range of support services to individuals and families of people with disabilities and diverse abilities.
Around 400 volunteers work with the institute in different regions in B.C. They are either themselves people with disabilities or people whose family members have disabilities.
Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative
