We’re holding Vancouver’s first All-Staff Forum of 2014 on Wednesday, January 29 (3 to 4 pm), and we’re building the agenda with you in mind.

Thanks to your suggestions, we’re taking a closer look at workplace culture and asking ourselves — and you: In these changing and challenging times, what makes a truly great workplace? For more on this event, read the full description in this week’s issue of VCH News.

In the meantime, we continue to receive and answer your questions. If you have a question you’d like to ask, email us.

Today’s answered questions

Editor’s note: The following question relates to program redesigns made in Vancouver Community last fall. It does not pertain to the Mental Health & Addictions service redesign announced January 14, 2014.

Q. My question was related to the last round of displacements (which included myself and my team of Community Developers).  All staff did receive a memo about the displacements that took place last month, but the communication was unclear as to which programs and which positions were affected which has created some confusion and anxiety.  Other than myself and my teammates, can you tell me the other programs and positions which have been displaced?

A. As you know well, 2013 was truly a year of change. Specifically, Community program redesigns announced in September impacted Home Health and Public Health. We did eliminate our three Community Developer positions, of which you were one, and we’re pleased to learn that you’re still working with us in Vancouver Community — congratulations.

Other changes in September included the loss of several community-based dieticians as a result of our redesigned nutrition services, as well as reduced numbers of nurse educators and program administration staff.  We also issued a series of staff displacements which is allowing us to redesign the Health Services for Community Living team to create a new, regional support team for complex disabilities. This new team will support adults with disabilities to enable them to live in their own homes.  We also reduced public health nursing positions in the Healthiest Babies Possible program, and reorganized services – resulting in the loss of one RN – from our West End-based Sunset Ambulatory Clinic.

Then as now, the goal of these redesigns and service reorganizations is to create greater access for more clients to the programs and services where need is growing. Again, congratulations on your new job.  

Q. Will there be more money invested in the very young, 0-5 years, with mental health problems; ie: mutism, behavioural problems, ADHD, etc.?

A.Vancouver Coastal Child and Youth Mental Health actually do provide services for younger children through the Alan Cashmore Centre. The centre provides mental health support to infants 0-5 and their parents who live throughout Vancouver. Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team which consists of mental health clinicians, psychiatrists and a speech and language therapist. The team provides child and family therapy and parent education groups as well as psychiatric services. As well, a preschool program runs from Allan Cashmore four days a week.

With regard to children and youth who have a diagnosis of Autism, the main support the family receives is through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) through the Child and Youth Special Needs Team (CYSN). If a CYSN worker feels a child would benefit from mental health support, the worker or the family can access our services. A child who has a diagnosis of Autism automatically gets direct funding from MCFD and can access a variety of services, which can include a behavioural consultant, speech and language as well as mental health support.

With regard to children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, Vancouver Coastal Child and Youth Mental Health provide group work through our FACES program. FACES has a specific ADHD parent group designed for parents and caregivers who have a child or youth (aged 3-15) with a primary diagnosis of ADHD.  The program includes a combination of group and individual family sessions. FACES also runs a group called Managing Tough Behaviour for Parents of Children (ages 3-11).

Now, in answer to your question…At this point, funding for these services has not increased. However, Vancouver Coastal Health Child and Youth programming is working very closely with other service providers and organizations that provide services to infants, children and youth to ensure we practice collaboratively. You may also be interested in knowing that VCH drafted a report which was released publicly last fall by the provincial government.  It voiced your specific concerns directly. In response, the province has promised new monies to address the mental health and addictions needs of youth, ages 16 to 24. Not quite the 0 to 5 age group that you’re speaking of, but it’s a start.