By Shane Picken
I was going to start this guest editorial by suggesting we’re a modest lot in British Columbia’s community social services sector.
Then I realized most readers don’t know what the “community social services sector” is and that’s our problem. We have to fix it, or this will be a poorer province, and many people won’t get the chance to lead the lives – or make the contributions – that they could.
We’re the people and agencies who provide specialized help, when and where people need it. We work with families in crisis, help people find jobs, deal with addiction and help people be the best parents possible. We help keep seniors in their homes, and support people with disabilities in living independent, rich lives.
The diversity of our services is part of our problem. Some 64,000 people work in the sector, with even more volunteers. There are private agencies, non-profits, large and small, in cities and tiny communities.
Where there is a need, we’re likely there. Our diversity is both our strength and a weakness. The public knows the players in the health-care system, and the issues. There’s a lively, informed debate that’s great for the sector, and for public policy.
However, that’s not true for community social services, which is a problem for the tens of thousands of British Columbians we serve. We aren’t political; we keep our heads down and work with the people who need us.
However, we’ve realized we have to do a better job of explaining what we do, and why it matters because it’s important for families, communities and the province.
Take one service, at the agency where I work – ARC Programs. We work in partnership with the Interior Health Authority, school districts and the Ministry for Children and Family Development to provide services for children, youth and their families.
One, the Changes Program, works with youth and families in Kelowna to address drug use. It involves prevention and early intervention services in our middle schools, counselling and life skills in our high schools and treatment for addiction issues for those who need it – when they need it, and where they need it.
The principle is simple – help kids and their families before things have gone too far, and they’re lost to drug and alcohol abuse and homelessness, or crime.
Providing these programs is the decent thing to do. It makes communities safer.
It’s cost-effective to intervene early and avoid all the future costs – jails and health care – that come when a young life goes off the rails and it’s important for the province’s economic competitiveness. No society can afford to give up the positive contributions of all citizens.
It was uncomfortable for me to write those paragraphs. I like the work and think it’s incredibly important and rewarding, but I’d rather do it than talk about it.
I’m going to have to change. We’re all going to have to change.
By this time next year, I hope it won’t be any problem to start a column by referring to the “community social services sector.”
Shane Picken is the agency director of ARC Programs based in Kelowna, and The Federation of Community Social Services of BC president.
