The High Cost of Not Caring: BCASW Submission to the 2010 BC Budget Consultation

The High Cost of Not Caring:
Submission to the 2010 BC Budget Consultation

Prepared by Tracey Young, MSW, RSW
Chair, Child Welfare & Family Committee
October 2009

BC Association of Social Workers

Investing in children, families and poverty reduction strategies is the underpinning of a civil, progressive society.

We ask the BC government to dedicate the 2010 budget to the interests of dignity, human rights and respect for all
our citizens.

“Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance, convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community.”

- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (November 20, 1989)

INTRODUCTION

The BC Association of Social Workers is the professional association for social workers in British Columbia, a membership-driven organization of more than 1200 social workers employed in all areas of the province, in child welfare, health care, community agencies, universities, institutions, private practice and actively retired. We have a wealth of wisdom and experience as a result of our frontline social work with children, youth, families and vulnerable individuals. Our submission is grounded and arises out of our collective expertise and the honour of working with citizens throughout the province of British Columbia.

We have witnessed the rapid erosion and dismantling of the child welfare and child and family serving systems and its toll on our most vulnerable people in BC. These circumstances are preventable and can be remediated by the province. Improving investment in our social infrastructure through sound economic and public policy decision-making, made in consideration of proven best practices in child welfare, anti-poverty strategies and economic development, have all yielded measurable results and improvements in other jurisdictions. We believe that BC can and must do better for our current and future generations of citizens. Our very health, well being and future as a province depend on it.

CREATING A FUNCTIONAL AND ETHICAL RIGHTS-BASED CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

CUTS TO SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

DEVOLUTION OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES

SUPPORT TO ABORIGINAL PEOPLES OF BC

ANTI-POVERTY MEASURES

INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Read our full Submission and Recommendations to the BC government here.