CLBC News – Summer 2020

Resources for staying informed and safe

During the COVID-19 pandemic, finding answers to questions and getting up-to-date information is very important for the individuals and families CLBC serves and for service providers.

To help keep people informed and updated, CLBC has developed a number of resources, including:

You can access all of these resources by clicking the links in the red banner that appears at the top of the CLBC website.


Recognizing those who keep us connected

Every year, the CLBC Widening Our World (WOW) Awards celebrate British Columbians who are making their communities more inclusive.

This year, the awards will honour the courageous people who are helping people stay connected and included during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People are using many innovative ways to stay in touch, to create friendships and a sense of belonging. We want to hear the stories about how people have showed courage, leadership and creativity to keep individuals connected during COVID-19.

Whether it is an employer, teacher, support worker, community member, self advocate, or anyone else who is making sure people stay connected while staying safe, we want you to tell us about it!

Nominations for the 2020 WOW Awards are open until August 31 at 5:00 p.m. Full details, including the nomination form, can be found at: www.communitylivingbc.ca/WOW

Winners will be chosen in September by the selection committee. In October, during Community Inclusion Month, CLBC will announce winners on our website, in our newsletters and on social media.


John Stinson joins CLBC as Vice President, Regional Operations

John Stinson, Vice President, Regional Operations

CLBC welcomed John Stinson to the role of Vice President, Regional Operations on June 15, 2020. John was previously the Assistant Deputy Minister for Disabilities, Inclusion and Accessibility Division of Alberta Community and Social Services.

“It is a thrill to introduce John as the newest member of our Executive team,” said CLBC CEO Ross Chilton. “He comes to us from the Alberta government where he has been a collaborative, consensus-building leader in disability services as well as other sectors. We will benefit greatly from his leadership experience and personal commitment to our work.”

“I’m humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to work with an organization that walks its talk by engaging British Columbians who are living with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families in program and service planning,” says John. “I look forward to doing my part to support and strengthen this approach and will do my best to live up to CLBC’s standard of excellence.”

John replaces retiring Vice President Lynn Davies, who has served in this role since 2015, and prior to that in the roles of Director and Manager since CLBC’s formation in 2005. Lynn will remain with CLBC as an advisor until the end of September 2020 to support the transition and CLBC’s ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.


New director to help CLBC improve Indigenous services

As part of CLBC’s commitment to improving services to Indigenous communities throughout the province, a new director position has been created to lead the Indigenous Community Living BC team. The new director will hire two additional Indigenous Practice Advisors to join current advisor Norah Drake in this important work.

This responds to recommendations made by CLBC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and will build on work of the Quality Assurance team and Indigenous Practice Advisor to support CLBC staff to improve the accessibility and quality of services. The new team will report to CLBC CEO Ross Chilton.

The creation of a strengthened Indigenous Community Living BC team will also support priorities established in the Re-Imagining Community Inclusion consultation process to strengthen services available to Indigenous peoples and the government’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“The CLBC Board of Directors believes this work is important,” says Michael J. Prince, Board Chair. “We respect and honour the Indigenous peoples we serve and want CLBC to work in partnership to advance inclusion of Indigenous people with disabilities.”

The new director will create a team to help assess policies through an Indigenous lens, strengthen standards for culturally safe and competent service delivery and lead effective community engagement.

The hiring process for this role is currently in progress and CLBC will share any updates about the new director in the What’s New section of the website.

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