Update: New Social Development Update: New Social Development Coordinator role Coordinator role Coordinator role Coordinator role Regional District of Central Okanagan, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Regional Board Meeting Regional Board Meeting Thursday, January 13 th th , 2011 Thursday, January 13 , 2011 Christene Walsh, M.S.W. Christene Walsh, M.S.W.
Social Development Coordinator Social Development Coordinator (building (building on former Drug Policy Coordinator role): on former Drug Policy Coordinator role): The Social Development Coordinator [SDC] role, utilizing an urban health [community development] approach , acts as a resource for not-for-profit and government organizations, the community at-large and the employer – Regional District of Central Okanagan. A specific focus is to assist organizations who provide harm reduction , prevention, treatment and enforcement services for persons in need . The target enforcement services for persons in need . The target population may be chemically dependent, homeless [at risk], mentally and/or physically ill, criminal justice involved and/or compromised in other ways. The SDC promotes community health & wellness [safety] via assisting partnership building between existing services as well as to problem-solve, help strengthen programs as well as to encourage, facilitate and support the development of new initiatives geared to helping the target clientele and, our community at large.
Urban Health defined as…. Urban Health defined as…. • “The status of health in urban populations” (Medical Definition, 1998) & “The health of a population that lives and works closely together, usually in an incorporated area, such as a city or town, with a common water supply and with similar environmental conditions” (Mosby’s dental dictionary, 2008). • “Where people live affects their health and chances of leading flourishing lives. Communities and neighbourhoods that ensure access to basic goods, that are socially cohesive, that are designed to promote good physical and psychological wellbeing, and that are protective of the natural environment are essential for health equity.” (World Health Organization , 2008) …. “The health of people living in towns and cities is strongly determined by their living and working conditions, the quality of physical and socio-economic environment and the quality and accessibility of care services.” (World Health Organization, 2003). and accessibility of care services.” (World Health Organization, 2003). • As health is believed to be largely determined by factors outside of the health care system, Health Canada has identified 12 determinants of health : – Income and social status - Employment – Education - Social environments – Physical environments - Healthy child development – Health Services - Personal health practices and coping skills – Social Support Networks - Biology & genetic endowment – Gender - Culture
What is “ What is “Mental Health Mental Health”? ”? The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of mental ‘health’ is “ a state of well-being ~ - in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities , - can cope with the normal stresses of life , - can cope with the normal stresses of life , - can work productively and fruitfully , - and, is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
The The Four Pillars Coalition {from the former Drug {from the former Drug Four Pillars Coalition Policy Coordinator role} listed four Policy Coordinator role} listed four main main goals to goals to target … target … that that remain applicable remain applicable : • Greater Coordination and Cooperation: Define and implement a coordinated response to problematic drug use [and related issues], and to ensure the continued relevance of that response through ongoing research and consultation. • Improved Public Health: Address drug-related health and [related] welfare issues through effective prevention, [related] welfare issues through effective prevention, treatment and harm reduction activities. • Enhanced Quality of Life: Improve the social and economic quality of life for the community, by reducing the negative effects of problematic drug use [and related issues]. • Restored Public Order: Restore public order, by aggressively targeting drug-related threats to public safety and security in the Central Okanagan.
28 Actions 28 Actions of Drug Policy Coordinator role ~ of Drug Policy Coordinator role ~ maintain priority maintain priority focus/bring forward 5 listed actions focus/bring forward 5 listed actions [‘*’ & highlighted in red] [‘*’ & highlighted in red] into new role: into new role: • Regional Drug Policy Coordinator unrated • *Community Capacity Building B+ • Expansion of D.A.R.E. B • Enhanced Drug Education B • *Harm Reduction Education C • Recreational, Social and Cultural Alternatives C+ • Making Alternatives to Drug Use Accessible B • Drug-related Information Line B+ scores from • *Addressing Causal Factors B+ summer 2009 • Urban Renewal C remain unchanged. • Coordinated Planning and Implementation B • Improving Treatment Capacity C- • Increasing Youth Addiction Service Capacity C- • • Increasing Adult Addiction Service Capacity Increasing Adult Addiction Service Capacity C- C- • Adult Residential Treatment Capacity C- • Funding Supportive Recovery Housing B • Supporting Methadone Treatment Programs C • Improved Aboriginal Addiction Services B • RCMP Special Projects Team A • Effective Application of Legislation C- • *Protective Detention C • Professional Courtesy and Interaction A+ • Short-term Shelter Pilot Project A+ • Youth Shelter and Drop-In Facility A+ • *Low-Income Housing Projects B- • Improved Needle Drop Box Service A • Public Education B+ • Public Health Outreach A+
The ‘cost’ of alcohol abuse The ‘cost’ of alcohol abuse • The Public Health Approach to Alcohol Policy report cited the impact of alcohol misuse/consumption for our specific interior health region ; It was documented [utilizing AOD Monitoring Project methods], in 2006: • Interior Health Authority had the second highest rate of alcohol- caused deaths among the five regional health authorities. • All health authorities showed a variation in alcohol-caused mortality rates between 2001 and 2006, yet only Interior Health Authority had an actual increase in alcohol-caused mortality. an actual increase in alcohol-caused mortality. • In 2007, Interior Health had rates higher than the provincial average rates of alcohol-caused hospitalizations . • And, when aggregating consumption levels according to health regions, Interior Health Authority had the highest rate of alcohol consumption in 2007. (p.14-17) • ***Between 1992 and 2007, sales of alcoholic beverages in British Columbia increased by 82.2 per cent from $1.46 billion to $2.66 billion. (p. 25) …advocate some taxation $ be returned to communities! www.carbc.ca
Harm Reduction Harm Reduction • Harm reduction is used as an approach that first seeks to minimize the harms caused by substance use , rather than requiring people to stop their use immediately (as often not initially a practical expectation). • This approach does not condone illegal drug use – instead the focus is on SAFETY & stabilization for the individual – with a “long”-term goal of abstinence (if achievable).
Addressing Causal Addressing Causal Factors Factors ~ • Determinants of Health ~Current trend/focus on homelessness, housing & outreach ~ many positive actions since 2003-2005. Our communities are encouraged to offer housing with practical support programs attached [for resident’s rehabilitation], considered essential to sustain housing, a key determinant of health. • Ongoing efforts locally – Publications ‘activities at a glance’, LPRC “Little Black Book”, KCR Street Survival Guides & Guide for Service providers…. • Ministry of Employment & Income Assistance (MEIA), then renamed the Ministry of Housing & Social Development (MHSD) …recently changed again …now called the Ministry of Social Development � launched the HIP (Homelessness Intervention Project) ~ target group is chronic homelessness (Homelessness Intervention Project) ~ target group is chronic homelessness with addictions and mental health/corrections involvement. • Local linkages for access to emergency shelter beds have demonstrated community coordination. *Concern regarding employability for some people attempting to attain a healthier lifestyle in current economic climate. • Central Okanagan Poverty Report Card, 2009 [challenges & recommendations] noted a ‘needs improvement’ in the areas of income, housing, child care, nutrition and health. Some progress acknowledged in the areas of housing, nutrition and health. 2010 State of the Child Report listed similar outcomes; addition of full kindergarten, etc. • New Community Justice Project …. – Etc.
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