Team News

The Spectrum Office will be closed on BC Day, August 2nd, 2021

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COVID-19 Updates – July 26, 2021 – You can too! (Get your vaccine)

An important message from
Dr. Bonnie Henry and self advocates

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been very hard for all of us. We have missed seeing our friends and doing the things in our community that make us happy. But now, in British Columbia, we are closer to putting COVID behind us and making ourselves and our communities safe because of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines that are widely available to us.

To build on our success, we need as many people as possible to get their vaccinations.

The purpose of this message is to ask for your help to share a short video message from Dr. Henry and self advocate leaders along with other information and resources. We are calling this campaign web page “You can too!”

If you are a person with a disability or a family member who has questions or concerns about the COVID vaccine, please take the time to review this web site and the short videos listed below. If you are a service provider, please share it with your staff and the individuals and families you support.

Listen to people who got their shots

Many people with disabilities, family members and support workers have already gotten their vaccinations. But some may still have questions. Check out these helpful videos to let them know they can get their shots too!

On the You Can Too! web page, you can also find a poster to print and post in your office or community.

Register for a shot or find a walk-in clinic near you

It is easier than ever to get your first shot at a walk-in clinic in your region. You can find information about locations at this web site, here.
Another way is to register online at this link or call the provincial call center (toll-free) at 1-833-838-2323, with support available in 140 different languages.

Ask for help

Everyone is encouraged to talk to their family, friends, support worker or service provider if they need support to book their shots or to go to a vaccine clinic.

Why everyone should do this as soon as possible

We are fortunate that we now have a powerful weapon in our fight against COVID to keep us and everyone around us safe. The COVID vaccines are safe and are working well to protect people and communities and bring B.C.’s case counts down.
Please help spread Dr. Bonnie Henry’s message that many self advocates are getting their shots, and “You can too!”
Thank you for all you have done so far to keep each other safe.

Sincerely,

Ross Chilton, CEO, Community Living BC
Karla Verschoor, Executive Director, Inclusion BC
Jo-Anne Gauthier, President, BC People First
Micheal McLellan, Co-founder, Self Advocate Leadership Network

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Trains will be single-tracking over the bridge from July 31 to Aug. 7 and again from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21.

The single-tracking will be from Scott Road Station to Columbia Station platform one during the week and from Scott Road to New Westminster Station platform two during the second week.

“To keep customers moving as quickly as possible between stations, trains will cross two at a time in each direction, providing 15-minute service during peak periods,” TransLink said. “At all other times, one train will cross in each direction, providing 12-minute service.”

Additional SkyTrain staff will be present at affected stations to help customers navigate the changes, TransLink said.

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With International Self Care Day around the corner (July 24th), we’re reminded to reflect and focus on what we need to improve our mental and physical health and wellbeing. Here are three simple (and free) ways you can use technology to give yourself better care and support.

Practice mindfulness

While it may feel challenging at first, meditation can be a great way to practice mindfulness, manage stress levels, increase your self-awareness, and focus one’s restless mind. To try it, find a comfortable, quiet spot (whether at home or a local park), play a short 5 to 10 minute ‘guided meditation’ YouTube video on your phone or tablet, and let your mind and body relax.

Get physical

Incorporating physical activity into your weekly routine can not only improve your overall health, but also boost your mood and better your quality of sleep. Plan a new walking or running route through your neighborhood on an online map or browse your device’s app store for free, top rated fitness apps. If your benefits plan includes LifeWorks, the Lift by LifeWorks app gives you access to personalized fitness programs and 1 on 1 personal or group training sessions right at your fingertips. Click here to learn more.

Let’s talk about it

Life often throws us some challenging curveballs and hurdles to overcome. Working through these difficulties (whether they’re related to work, managing stress, parenting, or anything else in between) with a certified coach or counsellor can help you feel supported and build a path to success. If LifeWorks is included in your benefits plan, you have access to 24/7 online support. Learn more here.

If counselling isn’t for you, there are many helpful articles, podcasts, and other resources available to you online, whenever and wherever you need them.

To learn more about Self Care Day, visit selfcare.ca.

Resources

The GroupHEALTH Living Well Team

www.grouphealth.ca

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RISE Community Groups and Workshops

For info or to register:

  • Email info@cnh.bc.ca
  • Call Collingwood Neighbourhood House at 604-435-0323
  • Or ask a RISE Staff member

Spots are limited.  Registration required.

Please click these links below for further details:

Rise Groups

RISE Spring 2021 Workshops Info

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ᐈ Earthquakes stock cliparts, Royalty Free seismic images | download on Depositphotos®

It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home. 

Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.

Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year?  Now is a great time to order replacement items.  Please note that WCB First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.

Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home?  Do you need more or less supplies?

Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?

If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.

It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored?  Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.

(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)

When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.

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First Aid Work Stock Illustrations – 2,297 First Aid Work Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

How to Register for First Aid:

We recommend obtaining and/or renewing your First Aid through St. John’s Ambulance with the Emergency First Aid Community Care course. If there is another course offered by a different provider, please contact Human Resources prior to enrolling to determine if it is equivalent and meets the basic requirements.

To obtain/renew through St John’s Ambulance, please call (604) 321-7242

If an employee does not have a valid first aid certificate upon hire, the fee to obtain or renew certification is the responsibility of the employee. Future renewal fees for active employees are covered by Spectrum.

  • If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
  • Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.

*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.

First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:

https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/Personnel%20Policies/P04.0.Requirements.for.Employment.pdf

For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.  

Please email your certificate of course completion to hr@spectrumsociety.org to have your file updated.

Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing judy@spectrumsociety.org

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