Five of metro Vancouver’s largest social service agencies are calling for a province wide discussion to create Social Policy Framework that would define how we can build better lives for our children, our parents, and ourselves.

At a meeting organized by Board Voice, the boards of Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Community Services Society, Options Community Services of Surrey, Pacific Community Resources, and PLEA Community Services jointly drafted and approved There is a Better Way.

The statement calls on community leaders and provincial and municipal governments to partner with the social services, health care, justice, and education sectors to begin a conversation with British Columbians to create a plan to meet our social needs now and into the future.

“We believe how we as people, as communities, as organizations and governments respond to the needs of our children, our aging parents, new immigrants and victims of violence defines us,” says Michael Davis, a Director of Family Services of Greater Vancouver. “We are calling for a vision that will guide all the people that work to make our lives better.”

The statement points out that virtually every family in the province will access social services at some point in their lifetime. The services that are trying to address some of the most pressing social issues cross ministerial silos, bridge across the government, non-profit and corporate sectors, and lack a common vision.

“The needs are increasing while resources get tighter,” says Carol Matusicky, the Chair of Board Voice. “We think a well-developed social policy framework that is pragmatic in delivery and measured by outcomes could streamline delivery of critical services and improve the results for those who need it most.”

Board Voice will be talking to service delivery and government partners to build support for the province-wide initiative.

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There is a better way.

Social policy affects everyone: young families searching for day care; parents supporting a child with developmental disabilities; victims of domestic abuse, violence, sexual abuse; youth living on the street; new Canadians working to connect in their communities; people coping with sickness, mental health issues, addiction, unemployment, poverty; seniors searching for affordable, appropriate supports as they age.

Virtually every family in this province will access social services at some point in their lifetime, and communities increasingly understand the need to plan for the social impacts of economic development.

Responding to these human needs challenges us all. Services cross ministerial silos, bridge across the government, non-profit and corporate sectors, and lack coordination. The needs are increasing while resources grow ever tighter.

As the volunteer governors of social service organizations, we believe how we as people, as communities, as organizations and governments respond to these needs will define us.

And we believe there is a better way.

We believe that we can contribute to better lives for our children, and our parents, and ourselves.

We believe that we can grow our economy and our communities while improving our quality of life.

We believe that a principled, well-developed social policy framework that builds common understanding, is pragmatic in delivery and is measured by outcomes can streamline delivery of critical services, improve the results for those who need it most and guide decision making into the future.

And we believe that we must begin now.

Board Voice directors call upon community leaders and our provincial and municipal governments to partner with the social services, health care, justice, and education sectors to design a broad based, inclusive consultation that engages British Columbians to shape a plan to meet our social needs now and into the future.

There is a better way. We invite you to join us.

Drafted and Approved by:
Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Community Services Society, Options Community Services of Surrey, Pacific Community Resources, and PLEA Community Services