Covid-19 Updates – November 19, 2021 – Vaccine Mandate for Employees of CLBC Funded Agencies
Below is an announcement from CLBC that the Provincial Health Officer has ordered that all employees of CLBC funded service providers be fully vaccinated by January 14, 2022. There are three key dates provided in the order:
- December 3, 2021 – all employees must provide their vaccine status to their employer
- December 10, 2021 – previously unvaccinated employees must have had their first shot and provide proof of vaccination.
- January 14, 2022 – previously unvaccinated employees must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination.
Spectrum cannot allow employees who do not comply with this order to work and will suspend without pay any employee who is not in compliance.
Under this Order, staff may request an exemption for a small number of medical issues that are described here. To request an exemption, staff must have a doctor or nurse practitioner fill out a medical deferral which they must then send to the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, as outlined in the link above.
To get your first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, register on BC’s Get Vaccinated site:
https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/
In the Vancouver Coastal Health region, there are vaccine clinics daily (Vancouver, Richmond, North Shore, Sunshine Coast):
http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine#clinics
In the Fraser Health region, you can find local vaccine clinics here (Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley):
Please let us know if you have any questions. In the CLBC announcement below there is a promise to provide more information next week and we will pass along that information as it becomes available.
Ernie Baatz
Executive Director
Spectrum Society for Community Living
New PHO Order for CLBC service providers about COVID vaccinations
Dear CLBC service providers –
The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has issued an Order requiring staff of CLBC funded service providers to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against COVID 19, or have an exemption, by January 14, 2022. You can read the PHO order here.
The Order applies to staff of CLBC funded agencies, person centred societies and microboards as well as staff hired by individuals and families who have direct funding, including direct-funded respite contracts. Under the Order, the Provincial Health Officer has determined that persons receiving CLBC services in these settings often have health conditions or compromised immune systems which make them particularly vulnerable to severe illness and death from COVID 19 and that vaccination is the single most important preventive measure that can be taken to protect those we serve, other staff and caregivers.
The Order does not apply to home sharing providers where support is provided in a private residence.
CLBC service providers must now prepare and implement plans and cannot permit staff to work unless they comply with the following:
- December 3, 2021: Current staff members must report their vaccination status to their employer.
- December 10, 2021: Previously unvaccinated staff members must have received and prove that they have had their first dose or have an exemption.
- January 14, 2022: Unvaccinated staff members must have received and prove that they have had their second dose before this date.
CLBC is compiling further information, along with an email address to send questions, and will post this on our web site by end of day Tuesday, November 23, 2021. CLBC has convened a working group with service providers to provide policy guidance related to any service impacts, and we will provide this within the next two weeks. We expect to organize regional community of practice teleconference calls once we have prepared this guidance.
CLBC cannot provide human resource guidance or advice to service providers, but we urge you to draw upon your own internal human resources, legal and professional network resources for these questions. Recently, for example, the Community Social Services Employers Association of BC (CSSEA) provided this guidance to help its members prepare for a mandatory vaccine Order.
As you plan, it is important that you keep individuals and families informed and collaborate with them to address any service concerns.
Many individuals, families and service providers have asked for such an Order, and we welcome it as an important way to protect the health and safety of the individuals we serve.
Sincerely,
Ross Chilton
CEO
Community Living BC
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FAQs for CLBC Service Providers
What is the new PHO Order?
The Provincial Health Officer has issued an Order requiring all CLBC staff and staff of CLBC funded service providers to be vaccinated for COVID 19.
Staff of service providers must report their vaccination status to their employer by Dec 3, 2021, and unvaccinated staff must receive their first dose or have an exemption by December 10 and receive their second dose before January 14.
Under this Order, CLBC staff must provide proof of full vaccination by December 20, 2021.
Employers are not allowed to permit staff who do not comply with this Order to continue to work.
Who is covered by this Order?
This Order applies to CLBC funded service providers, including agencies, person centred societies and microboards and staff hired by individuals and families who have direct funding, including direct-funded respite. The Order also applies to staff of CLBC. (CLBC staff have a different timeline and must be fully vaccinated by December 20, 2021)
Why is this Order needed?
Under the Order, the Provincial Health Officer has determined that people we serve in these community service settings are vulnerable to more severe illness and death from COVID. The Order is necessary to protect those we serve, other staff and caregivers.
Many individuals, families and service providers have asked for such an Order to maintain confidence in the safety of CLBC services.
Why doesn’t it apply to home sharing providers?
The Order does not apply to home sharing providers because they provide support in peoples’ private residences.
Are CLBC supported individuals required to be vaccinated under this Order?
No. This Order applies to those who are involved in the delivery of services. CLBC has launched a “You can too!” campaign to encourage individuals served by CLBC to be vaccinated.
What is the timeline to comply? How long is the Order in place?
- Service provider staff must report vaccination status to employers by December 3, 2021
- Unvaccinated staff must have their first dose or an exemption by December 10, 2021
- Unvaccinated staff must have had second dose before January 14, 2022
The Order does not have an expiration date.
How does a staff person request an exemption?
Under this Order, staff may request an exemption for a small number of medical issues that are described here. To request an exemption, staff must have a doctor or nurse practitioner fill out a medical deferral which they must then send to the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, as outlined in the link above.
How do we treat staff members who do not comply?
Under the Order, service providers cannot permit anyone who does not comply to continue to work.
CLBC cannot provide human resources advice, but we urge service providers to draw upon internal and external human resources, legal and professional network expertise around appropriate policies for staff who cannot work because of this Order.
What do we do if we lose staff? How do we manage that?
We know that 87 per cent of eligible people in our province have been fully vaccinated, and we believe that is true of staff who work for CLBC funded service providers. We believe an Order will influence many of those who aren’t vaccinated to become vaccinated.
However, CLBC service providers should develop contingency plans for the possibility that some staff will choose not to comply.
CLBC has convened a working group with service providers to develop guidance for managing service impacts. CLBC will distribute this guidance as soon as possible and organize regional teleconference calls to support service providers.
How do we work with individuals and families to explain this Order?
CLBC asks service providers to inform individuals and families about this Order and keep them informed around your plans to implement the Order.
CLBC expects service providers to consult with families and collaborate if services are impacted.
Who can help us if we have a concern we cannot resolve?
CLBC will provide more information on our web site along with an email address to send questions by end of day Tuesday, November 23. CLBC has a working group with service providers to develop guidance which will be distributed shortly. CLBC will organize regional community of practice calls where service providers can ask questions.
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Join the Self Advocate Leadership Network for Storytelling with Shelly about Article 19 of the UNCRPD. Come tell us about your story of being a full citizen in your community! Friday, November 26th at 7:00pm PST
REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…/storytelling-with-shelly…
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8 DAYS OF ACTION FOR ACCESS |
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If you have a friend, family member or meet someone in the community that is interested in joining the team and you refer them to Spectrum, you could be eligible for a referral bonus!
If the person referred is hired and maintains at least 9 months of consistent employment with Spectrum, we will award a $50 Referral Bonus.
*for more information on the program, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org
We thank you for bringing us quality applicants/employees!
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Danielle Reed is collecting the following items for distribution to folks who live in the Downtown East Side:
- Gently used, clean blankets
- New blankets
- Socks in all sizes for both men and women
Please drop off your donations to:
Spectrum Office at 3231 Kingsway, Vancouver
When:
Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm
Donations will be accepted until Tuesday, November 30, 2021
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Collingwood Winter Carnival and Tree Lighting
Arts and Crafts / Photos with Santa / Hot Cocoa & Cookies
Kingsway & Tyne / Safeway Parking Lot
November 27, 2021 3:00 – 5:30 pm.
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Canada Revenue Agency is pleased to host the following live webinars in November and December:
Digital Services for Individuals Presentation on November 23, 2021 from 11:00–11:45am PST and December 15, 2021 from 1:00–1:45pm PST
The CRA has a wide number and range of electronic and digital services available for individuals including My Account, Represent a Client and mobile apps. Join our webinar to learn about some of our most popular services such as changing your address or phone number, submitting documents electronically, and changing your return.
Scam awareness – Be scam smart Presentation on November 30, 2021 from 12:30–1:15pm PST and December 9, 2021 from 1:30–2:15pm PST
Help protect yourself and others against fraud – Taxpayers should be vigilant when they receive, either by telephone, mail, text message or email, a fraudulent communication that claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requesting personal information such as a social insurance number, credit card number, bank account number, or passport number. Learn to recognize common types of scams and to identify legitimate communications from the CRA.
You can register for one of the above webinars by going to the below link and clicking on the link associated with the date of your choice.
https://canada.webex.com/canada/onstage/g.php?PRID=4f1473dfdd206ba0967b78ce55fe4326 (English presentations)
Warm regards,
Allison Reed
BC and YT Outreach Team
Assessment, Benefit, and Service Branch
Canada Revenue Agency / Government of Canada
PacificRegionOutreach@cra-arc.gc.ca /Phone: 604-775-5020/1-855-214-7070
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TAP IN TO WIN
The more trips you take, the more chances you have to win amazing prizes!
Why?
Because we want to thank you for sticking with us during this tough time.
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RISE Community Groups and Workshops
For info or to register:
- Email info@cnh.bc.ca
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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