Child Intervention Practice Guidance March 24, 2021
Children’s Service COVID-19 Group and Campus Based Facilities Practice Guidance FEBRUARY, 2021
MARCH 31, 2021
CWLC Strength of Families and Connection Project -Disability and COVID-19 Response & Recovery Series Videos.
This series is hosted by the Child Welfare League of Canada, as part of the Strength of Families and Connection project, which is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Watch Video
The complex care family experience during and after Covid-19
Covid-19 + children and youth with disabilities : The impact, challenges, and the role of providers in supporting this population
Disability and 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth in Pandemic Times
It takes a Village to Raise a Child: Parenting with an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD)
MARCH 30, 2021
Alberta.ca Employers and service providers can apply to receive free rapid test kits for use in their organization’s COVID-19 screening program.
The rapid testing program is open to any public, private or not-for-profit employer or service provider with an approved COVID-19 screening program overseen by an eligible health care provider.
MARCH 26, 2021
Children’s Services Caregiver Training Update Safe Babies March 26, 2021
WFD is pleased to let you know that the following training materials are now available: Safe Babies the Babysteps manual is now replaced with the Alberta Health Services ‘Healthy Parents Healthy Children’ resource which can be accessed online select ‘I’m a parent’ to access the resource guide
MARCH 24, 2021
ALIGN MEMO #50
New – Child Intervention Practice Guidance March 24, 2021.
Updates
- Medical Appointments Chapter: Updated information for COVID-19 Immunization for youth.
- Support for Caregiver Chapter: Updated information for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for youth, traveling and etc.
Please remember to use the [email protected].ca email address for your questions as CS is still answering and tracking them. Please remember that staying current regarding information from Alberta Health Services and Government is necessary in this pandemic and you can find all the current information you need at this link https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
ACDS – MLA template and key messages on CWB. Message from Andrea Hesse, CEO Feb 22, 2021
Critical Worker Benefit Advocacy: MLA advocacy; follow us on social media. Vaccine Availability and Rollout Update: We have requested further clarification. Critical Worker Benefit: MLA Advocacy. Yesterday, we shared an update regarding the Critical Worker Benefit and the exclusion of many disability workers from being eligible for the benefit. We know that many of you want to amplify our advocacy efforts with your individual advocacy, including reaching out to your MLAs. This is really encouraging, and we know can be very effective. When connecting with MLAs, it is important that we avoid partisan engagement. This is a public policy issue, directly impacting hardworking disability workers and the individuals they serve. We know that advocacy is most effective when focused on policy, rather than partisanship. To assist you to advocate on this issue, we have prepared some tools to support you as you call or write to your MLAs. This package includes some key messages and a letter template, which you may personalize and use to reach out to your MLA. You can find your MLA, and their contact details using this online tool. (Locate Your MLA Here)
FEBRUARY 18, 2021
CSS Ken Dropko, MEd Memo Regarding Applications for Alberta Critical Worker Benefit
Good afternoon CSS partners,
ACWB Guidelines for Social Services Sector-FCS-Feb16
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on frontline service providers delivering supports to the most vulnerable Albertans. In appreciation for the continued efforts of frontline workers, the Government of Alberta recently announced the Alberta Critical Worker Benefit Program. Additional information is available at: https://www.alberta.ca/critical-worker-benefit.aspx
Along with a number of other essential workers, this program will provide eligible essential workers working in Preventive Community Services (PCS) funded sexual assault centres, family violence prevention agencies and Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) with a one-time payment of $1,200 in recognition of their hard work providing Albertans with the care and critical services they need.
These essential workers have taken on additional challenges to meet the increased health and personal care needs of the clients they serve and this additional pay is an acknowledgment of the extraordinary efforts they continue to make as they care for others.
Funding will be distributed to service providers in a lump-sum payment using a separate grant agreement issued to each eligible service provider. I have attached information on the eligibility criteria, as well as the Schedule C, which will be used to submit your request for the benefit. Please ensure to read all background information to ensure your understanding of the eligibility criteria.
Copy of Schedule C – Data and Invoice Template – FCS should be forwarded to [email protected] by March 5, 2021. Subject line: [Agency Name] Essential Worker Benefit Application
Once received, your application will be reviewed by department staff and if it meets the eligibility criteria, a grant agreement will be provided to facilitate the transfer of employee benefits to you. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure the benefit is provided to each identified eligible employee.
The contacts below can help in answering questions regarding the application process:
Sexual Assault Centres – Janet Pavlic; [email protected]
Family Violence Prevention – Donna Barker; [email protected]
FCSS – Nicole Nowakowski; [email protected]
Ken Dropko, MEd Executive Director, Civil Society and Community Initiatives Branch Preventive Community Services Division Ministry of Community and Social Services
Additional Related
The Critical Worker Benefit will provide a one-time payment of $1,200 to eligible Albertans in recognition of their hard work to provide Albertans with the care and critical services they need. The benefit will be distributed to up to 380,000 workers in the health-care, social services, education and private sectors. The Government of Alberta is working directly with health-care, social service, and education sector employers to distribute the benefit to eligible workers.
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
CWLC Webinar & Workshop Series No. 1 Disability & COVID-19 Response and Recovery March 16-25, 2021
Ensure Community Services Sector Staff Safety Feb 11, 2021
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Alberta’s Government Is Providing $68.5 Million To Protect Vulnerable Albertans And Staff Feb 3, 2021
Alberta’s government is providing $68.5 million to protect vulnerable Albertans and staff in continuing care and residential addiction and mental health treatment facilities, as well as home care clients, from COVID-19.
Organizations operating during the period of March 15, 2020 to March 31, 2021 will be eligible.
Information on how to apply for funding will be posted on alberta.ca in the coming weeks.
This one-time funding will support operators of non-contracted licensed supportive living and both contracted and non-contracted home care, hospices and residential addiction and mental health treatment centres.
It will help operators pay for increased staffing, additional cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment.Funding to support operators providing essential services varies by sector and will be calculated based on the number of spaces in each facility or on an hourly basis for home care:
- $48 million for non-contracted licensed supportive living
- $9.9 million for residential addiction and mental health treatment facilities
- $9.6 million for home care
- $1 million for residential community hospice
January 29, 2021
Inclusion Alberta High-Risk Albertans with Developmental Disabilities & Support Workers Should be Included in the Early Phases of Vaccine Schedule
Inclusion Alberta represents thousands of Albertans with developmental disabilities, some of whom require support workers who come into their residences to provide them with needed assistance. There are two issues with Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution schedule that we fear leave individuals with developmental disabilities behind and at undue risk…
Alberta’s Government Will Continue The Current Service Model With Residential And Personal Care Facilities For People With Disabilities In Edmonton And Calgary.
News Release Supporting Services For Albertans With Disabilities January 29, 2021
There were 150 responses to the survey that was sent to the families and guardians of individuals using these facilities. Overall, the majority of respondents indicated they prefer to have their loved ones stay at the current locations, served by current staff. They indicated they are opposed to transitioning to new service providers. After reviewing the feedback and data, the government has decided to continue the current model of service delivery at these facilities. Read Full
December 2020
Q/A on COVID-19 for Alberta’s disability sector Published weekly from April to July 2020.
Resumed on a bi-weekly schedule December 2020.
Bi-weekly Q/A on COVID-19: For Alberta’s disability sector December 2020
November 2020
Alberta Education Guidance: Return to Remote Learning Education
Excerpt Supporting students with disabilities
All students with disabilities who require support and services in any grade and students in outreach programs can continue to receive supports and services in-person at school, regardless of the shifts to at-home learning before and after the winter break. This exemption for in-person learning was based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health in consultation with parents, schools are expected to continue to provide students with disabilities with services and support they need. Parents should work with their teacher and school principal on appropriate arrangements.
ALIGN Newsletter What’s Happening in the Disability Sector? October 2020
The Disabilities Sector is potentially in a risky place. Many of the agencies that provide services for children and families also provide services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) or Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) services. It is important that we support Alberta Council for Disability Services (ACDS) advocacy work as it may have a collateral effect on many of your colleagues. What is the issue? On June 10, the Government of Alberta (GoA) issued a notice to Read Full Bulletin and Learn More about ACDS Social Media
Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) for people with disabilities
FSCD Q & A Spring 2020
CSS has developed a process to receive questions from the Disability Sector that will be answered weekly with a Weekly Q & A on COVID-19 For Alberta’s disability sector. Please submit your questions clearly in an e mail to Rhonda Barraclough at [email protected] by Fridays weekly at 9 AM based on COVID-19 related concerns and issues. Every Friday, CSS Program Policy and Improvement Division will review all of the questions submitted, categorize them into theme areas and then create a roll up question for each theme area. The summarized questions will be distributed to the most appropriate staff in Community and Social Services to draft a succinct and plain language answer. Every Tuesday we will post the questions and answers in the Weekly Q & A on COVID-19
Weekly Q/A on COVID-19: For Disability Service Providers July 2020
Weekly Q/A on COVID 19 for Disability Service Providers May 20 2020s
Weekly Q/A on COVID 19 for Disability Service Providers May 13, 2020
Weekly Q/A on COVID-19: For Disability Service Providers May 6, 2020
Weekly Q/A on COVID-19: For Disability Service Providers April 23, 2020
Weekly Q/A on COVID-19: For Disability Service Providers April, 2020
A Reference Guide On COVID-19 For People With Disabilities
The Alberta Government is providing support to the disability community to help navigate this crisis. “Government is working with disability service provider partners to provide personal protective equipment, help maintain staffing, and develop policies to allow for easier access to supports and help ensure the well-being of individuals and families. A reference guide on COVID-19 for people with disabilities has also been developed to provide information on how to stay safe and limit the spread of the virus.
PPE
See PPE Index Tab for Ordering & Staff/Client Safety Resources
CS COVID-19 Communication
COVID-19 Communication from John Stinson, Assistant Deputy Minister Program Policy and Improvement, Community and Social Services for FSCD Families March 202
