The Spectrum office will be closed Thursday, September 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Collection of Vaccination Status for Employees
For All Spectrum Employees:
Please provide us with evidence of your vaccination status today (September 7). If we do not have information on your vaccination status, we will have to assume that you are unvaccinated.
Collection of Vaccination Status:
The Province’s Proof of Vaccination requirement for non-essential public places will have implications for employees and for people we support. Starting September 13, you must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to access some events, services and businesses. By October 24, you must be fully vaccinated to access these activities. More information on Proof of Vaccination is here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof
To help us prepare for the new requirements and continue to provide essential services to the people we support, we are now requiring that all employees provide us with evidence of their vaccination status. This information will be kept confidential and will be destroyed once the information is no longer required. Please send a picture of your vaccine receipts to hr@spectrumsociety.org . The picture will provide us with the proof of vaccination, the dates will be entered and the picture deleted.
Over 100 employees have already provided proof of their vaccinations and received three hours pay for the time necessary to get each shot. Those who have already provided their vaccine receipts do not have to re-submit any information.
We have developed a policy for Vaccination Status Collection and it is linked here:
The current Provincial Guidance is that this proof of vaccination policy will be in place until January 31, 2022. We will review our policy at that time.
Please let us know if you have questions.
Vaccine Safety:
Since these vaccines became available in December 2020, there have been over 5 million vaccinations given in BC. There is much more known now about their safety. If you have questions about the safety of vaccines and your health, please consult your doctor.
Vaccination clinics no longer require appointments.
You can find a nearby vaccination clinic by following these links:
In Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine
Fraser Health clinics are here: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/vax
Vaccine Effectiveness:
There was another presentation on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and modeling yesterday. The full presentation is linked here:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/8-31_PHO_modelling.pdf
The following chart shows that the majority of British Columbians are vaccinated (64% or 3.3 Million), but only represent 15% of cases, or 2,045 cases between July 30 and August 26. People who are unvaccinated make up the majority of cases, of hospitalizations and of deaths.
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Renfrew Collingwood Community News –
An explosion of sound and colour (The birth of Renfrew Collingwood Pride)
Sterling James’s article is available for viewing on page 8 of the September edition by clicking the first page below:
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“We are Recruiting for new members of the HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee!
The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) is accepting applications for the 2022 HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee (HDUAC) until October 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
The purpose of the HDUAC is for HandyDART customers and their representatives to provide advice and guidance on HandyDART plans, programs and other initiatives, and to advise TransLink on matters to improve HandyDART service for customers. The HDUAC allows TransLink to hear directly from customers and stakeholders and ensure the service meets their needs.
HandyDART customers, or individuals who have direct experience working with them, are eligible to sit on the HDUAC. If you take a collaborative approach to improving the service, we encourage you to apply. Members serve for two-year terms, with the option to extend for a maximum term of four years. Members attend a minimum of four meetings per year, hosted by TransLink. Members are appointed by the TransLink Board.
Please note, that meetings are currently being held virtually, and this may continue for the foreseeable future.
For more information or to apply online, visit the Access Transit page or call 778-375-7665″.
Compass is coming to HandyDART on Oct. 1, 2021Get ready to enjoy an improved transit experience with Compass Card, the reloadable farecard that works everywhere on transit in Metro Vancouver and soon on HandyDART starting Oct. 1, 2021. Compass makes it easier to travel on transit with a tap of your card. Enjoy benefits such as AutoLoad for automatic balance top-ups and Balance Protection if your Compass Card is lost or stolen. For more information and to get started:
*Elevator and escalator access to and from the SkyTrain platform level will be unavailable due to construction until Fall 2021. The Compass Customer Service Centre is still accessible from Beatty St. For more information, call Customer Information at 604.953.3333. |
2021 Christmas Card Contest Poster: ChristmasCardContestSubmit
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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 Spring 2021 Workshops Info
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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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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
- They above number is their main line, but they have a number of locations across the lower mainland if you would like to call a location directly: http://www.sja.ca/English/About-Us/Pages/Locations.aspx
- Register yourself for Emergency First Aid Community Care.
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:
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