Jodie Wickens

More families will now have more access to high-quality child care closer to home. New spaces are opening in 14 communities across the province, which gives more opportunities for kids to learn and grow. #ChildCareBC

Learn more: news.gov.bc.ca/32927

Join us in practicing how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during the largest earthquake drill #BCShakeOut tomorrow October 16 at 10:16am. Beyond the drill, we are encouraged to critically review our emergency preparedness plans and supplies.

Learn more here: www.shakeoutbc.ca

Diwali in Coquitlam — Coquitlam Heritage at Mackin House Join us at the Evergreen Cultural Centre to celebrate Diwali with Diwali Fest! Free. Registration required only for performance. No registration required for main event space.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate Diwali this year, drop by the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam tonight from 6-8 pm for some food, vendors, and a live performance. Most activities are free and all-ages!

Learn more here: www.coquitlamheritage.ca/events/diwal...

The upcoming months will be packed with initiatives to meet the needs of people here in BC, addressing things like cost of living, affordable housing, high-quality health care, community safety, supports for kids, and more. Remember that you can watch live online by tuning in to leg.bc.ca.

Hard to believe that it’s already the end of the first week of fall session in the legislature.

Expanded substance-use supports available for youth in B.C. More female, female-identifying and non-binary youth living with substance-use challenges can access expanded support through 12 new treatment beds in Surrey.

This continues our government’s work to build a full continuum of mental health and addictions care for youth and young adults, including early intervention and prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery and aftercare services. Learn more here: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...

Young people are facing an increasingly complex world. I’m so glad that female-identifying and non-binary youth & young adults around the province can now access Healing House as part of their recovery journey. This program will provide a safe space & help give them the hope & support they need.

B.C. launches mandatory early literacy screening to help students succeed Early literacy screening will help students with reading challenges, including those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, to get help with reading sooner.

We are investing in literacy supports so every child thrive in school and beyond. Learn more here 👉 buff.ly/VhA5bBs

Starting this school year, early literacy screenings for Kindergarten students will help kids by identifying reading challenges earlier, so they can get the support they need from the start 📚

BC Students will now gain life-saving skills they'll carry for life. CPR and AED learning is now part of the Grade 10 Physical and Health Education curriculum - empowering students with the knowledge to be better equipped in emergencies.

Learn more: curriculum.gov.bc.ca

Students are officially back in school, so remember to drive safe and be aware of your surroundings.

🚸 Slow down in school zones
🛑 Stop for school buses when red lights are flashing
🚶🚶‍♀️ Always yield to pedestrians

Learn more at roadsafetybc.ca

Stay safe and cool during hot weather 🌡️

Follow local resources for warm weather resources:
📍 City of Coquitlam: www.coquitlam.ca/1088/Warm-We...
📍 Kwikwetlem First Nation: kwikwetlem.com

☀️ Visit weather.gc.ca for weather alerts
🎒 Check out more tips at preparedbc.ca/ExtremeHeat

Stay safe and up-to-date on emergency information and resources:

For local resources:
📍 City of Coquitlam: www.coquitlam.ca/304/Emergenc...
📍 Kwikwetlem First Nation: kwikwetlem.com

For up-to-date information:
🔥 BCWildfire.ca
⚠️ EmergencyInfoBC.ca
🚗 DriveBC.ca
🎒 PreparedBC.ca

The next few days are going to be hot and Environment Canada has issued Heat Warnings for Metro Vancouver & the Fraser Valley.

🌡️ Stay safe & stay cool by following these tips: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/....

❄️ Find cooling centres & resources in Coquitlam here: www.coquitlam.ca/1088/Warm-We...

Wildfires, flooding & extreme weather events can be stressful for both children & parents. I’m thankful for organizations like Triple P that are providing tools & resources to help parents guide their children through these difficult times triplep-parenting.ca/ca/triple-p

Youth Resiliency at the Core Youth Centre Gets a Boost - Island Community Services Salt Spring Island youth are getting more supports for mental health and substance abuse prevention with an expanded program area at Island Community Services. A recent awarding of an Island Health…

Learn more about the new funding for the Core Youth Centre here 👉 saltspringcommunityservices.ca/youth-resiliency-at-the-core-youth-centre-gets-a-boost

I’m thrilled to hear that Core Inn Youth Project on #saltspringisland has received an Island Health Youth Resiliency Grant! This funding will boost the Core Youth Centre’s harm reduction program, allowing youth on Salt Spring Island to access more crucial supports for mental health & substance use

Know before you go: Camping safety ⛺

It's camping season! Remember these wildlife safety tips and stay safe this summer.

Learn more about enjoying BC Parks safely this summer: bcparks.ca/plan-your-tr...

Know before you go: Hiking safety 🥾

Our #BCParks and trails offer fantastic hiking opportunities and views. Remember that wildlife encounters can happen anywhere, from the remote backcountry to your favorite busy trail. Use these tips to #staysafe when encountering wildlife this summer.

Know before you go: wildlife safety 🐻 🦌

Stay safe this summer when visiting our beautiful #BCParks. BC Parks offer amazing opportunities for wildlife spotting, but encounters with the wild animals can be dangerous if you aren't prepared.

❌ Never feed the wildlife
🖐️ Stay a safe distance away

The Bringing Our Children Home Longhouse provides affordable housing for some of Gitsan's most vulnerable people and incorporates a strong support program for youth transitioning into adulthood by offering life skills training, cultural support, education, employment, safety and oversight.

GCFSS had identified a significant need for housing for children in care, youth aging out of care, and single parents fleeing violence with their children.

Then walking through the Longhouse, which has an unique building design based on a traditional longhouse and brings together townhouse units, a group home and independent living units. Each of the separate areas have their own entrance and address, but coexist under one shared roof.

GCFSS provides family services tailored to meet each family's unique needs. They prioritize cultural safety and we had the opportunity to hear the engaging programs such as fishing- which begins with catching the fish and ends with how to prepare it.

Walking into the Gitxsan Child and Family Services I felt incredibly welcomed. The spirit of all the people who work there was incredibly warm.

Day #2 of our Northwest BC tour!

It is an incredibly beautiful place with people who are doing essentially important and hard work every day!! More videos to come!!

So many dedicated staff working tirelessly every day to provide therapies, life skills, family support and more!

#smithers #rualbc #childdevelopment #earlyintervention #ccrr

Day 1 of the Northern tour

Thank you so very much to the Northwest Child Development Centre in Smithers for welcoming me.

It was inspiring to hear about the integrated wraparound services & supports provided to communities in the North, including some of the most remote & hard to travel to places

This week we are touring Northwest BC. I have the opportunity to meet with MCFD direct service staff, community providers & Nations.

Today we started on the beautiful territory of the WET'SUWET'EN.

I'll be posting more about the important work being done & the dedicated staff & professionals!

Thank you SunnyHill and B.C. Centre for Ability for hosting us and we are excited for the opportunities that our joint work brings!