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Team News

Spectrum Holiday Office Closures:

  • Friday, December 24th
  • Monday, December 27th 
  • Friday, December 31st

Extreme Weather Alert – Cold and Snow

Hi all;

Weather forecasts are subject to change, but looking ahead to the next five days, minus 16 degrees and 4 days of snow, that is definitely a forecast that should have us thinking about being prepared.

  • Do you have stairs or sidewalks that need to be shoveled and spread with salt?  Do you have a shovel, broom, and/or salt?
  • Do you have enough groceries to last a few days when it might be hard to get to the store?
  • Consider travel times and give yourself lots of time to get to work. Buses may have trouble in the snow and traffic will be slow.
  • Enjoy the snow and cold weather safely – dress warmly, go out with a buddy, stay close to home.
  • Ask for help.  If there is something you need to be safe over the weekend, please reach out and ask for assistance.

 

Covid-19 Updates – December 21, 2021 – Additional Restrictions due to Omicron

Province strengthens COVID-19 measures for safer holiday season

The provincial health officer is implementing additional measures to address rising COVID-19 case counts that could result in increased hospitalizations and critical care admissions and the potential to overstress the health-care system.

Revised provincial health officer orders will take effect on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.

The restrictions will extend to Jan. 18, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

At Spectrum, we have had a number of people go to hospital in the past month with other illnesses and they have received excellent care and attention.  The ability of our hospitals to serve everyone who needs care is the target of these measures.  Please keep your bubbles small and stay safe and healthy. 

As of December 22, 2021

These restrictions are in effect until January 18, 2022.

As of December 20, 2021

These restrictions are in effect until January 31, 2022.

More of the BC Government Announcement here:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0234-002431

British Columbia is cancelling thousands of scheduled surgeries, shutting down bars and gyms and limiting gatherings in an effort to prevent the Omicron COVID variant from overwhelming hospitals.

The highly transmissible variant is causing “explosive” outbreaks in the Lower Mainland in particular, and now makes up about 50 per cent of new cases each day, health officials said today.

“It is inevitable now that most of us in the province will be exposed at some point,” said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. She said new information on Omicron showed measures announced Friday were inadequate.

Henry said B.C. will record more than 1,300 new cases on Tuesday, more than previous daily records that overwhelmed hospital capacity in the third and fourth waves.
https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/12/21/Omicron-Brings-New-Lockdown-Rules/

Booster Shots

More of the powerpoint presentation used on December 21, 2021 available here:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/CovidMeasures.pdf

To get your booster shot, ensure you are registered with Get Vaccinated BC.

Once you get your invite, be sure to check different locations – some are booked up until January, others have appointments available the next day.

Let us know if you have any questions or need any assistance.

Happy Holidays!

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Canada Revenue Agency is pleased to host the following live webinars in January and February:

Benefits and Credits Presentation on Wed Jan 19, 2022 from 1:30-2:30pm PST, Sat Jan 29, 2022 from 11-12pm PST and Thurs Feb 17, 2022 from 1:30-2:30pm PST

Don’t miss out on the benefits and credits to which you may be entitled. Some of the benefits and credits to which you may be eligible for are the Canada child benefit, Disability tax credit, Child disability benefit, Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, and the Canada Workers Benefit. If you do your taxes after the filing deadline, your payments could be delayed. During the webinar we will be able to answer your questions live.

Scam awareness – Be scam smart Presentation on Thurs Jan 13, 2022 from 1:30-2:15pm PST, Thurs Feb 3, 2022 from 1:30-2:15pm PST and Thurs Feb 24, 2022 from 6:30-7:30pm 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.

Digital Services for Individuals Presentation on Tues Jan 18, 2022 from 6:30-7:15pm PST, Mon Jan 24, 2022 from 1:30–2:15pm PST and Mon Feb 28, 2022 from 1:30–2:15pm 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.

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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https://www.bcchf.ca/fundraiser/festival-of-trees-vancouver/

Festival of Trees Vancouver – BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

November 26, 2021 – January 2, 2022

Festival of Trees is a cherished community tradition in Vancouver, raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for over 30 years. Once again in 2021, the lobby of the world-renowned Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will be transformed into a lush forest of beautifully decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, all thanks to sponsors, local businesses, organizations and individuals.

All proceeds this year will go towards mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital. This free event will be held at beautiful Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Come down, show your holiday spirit and virtually vote for your favourite tree.

Relive the magic from 2020

Experience the magic from 2020 by going through this special 3D tour.

For more information please contact Bella Chan at Bella.chan@fairmont.com

www.bcchf.ca

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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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