PARCA Minutes
PARCA Meeting
Minutes
Sep 11, 2011
In attendance: Tim Agg, Paul Barnett, Bob Ens, Gord Irving, Wendy Richardson, Tim Veresh
Regrets: Ann Alexander, Shawn Bayes, Marla Chandler-Soanes, Shelley Cook, George Curran, Daryl Goll, Dawn Hyrcun, Dave
Johnson, Inder Madhok, Yvonne Rigby-Jones, Dave Trepanier
Chair: Paul Barnett
Minutes: Wendy Richardson
Guests: Anne Kimmitt (by phone), Colin Gabelmann, Wedlidi Speck, Caitlyn Turner (PLEA)
Agenda Item
Discussion and information
Mover/Seconder
Agenda
Minutes
Financial Report
Youth Justice funding
issues
Anne Kimmitt
Accepted with additions
Accepted
Tim Agg summarized the financial reports. Almost no financial activity since last meeting.
In camera
 Gord Irving/Tim Agg
 Tim Agg/Tim Veresh
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
Youth Justice cost-sharing formula – any changes? Not anticipating any change in the next year or
two in the level of funding from Fed Gov. YJ contracts have been protected – however, there is a
difference between what Province has to spend versus does spend. Youth Justice is not immune
but may be better protected than some areas.

Any progress on YSAM project? Currently a pilot. Group-based program adapted to a one-on-one
based program. AME: Assess, motivate and engage – training P.O.s to use a motivational
interviewing approach with youth and substance use. Trained about 20 staff.
No obvious changes in MCFD staffing.
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Anticipate that YCJA amendments will likely reappear in the omnibus crime bill – don’t know yet
whether there will be any changes as a result of evidence that has been presented about youth
justice. No changes to cost-sharing with Feds.
Discussion about standards for youth justice residential programs – initial draft should have been
released earlier this summer – standards exist for child welfare beds – what standards are
available for youth justice beds? Are foster home standards appropriate?
Youth Justice Forum in November – confirmed for 8th and 9th. Spaces allocated by region. Half day
on 7th with Paula Shaeffer on working with girls in the justice system. If any cancellations in
government spaces, may be offered to contracted sector.
Community and custody counts down a bit – custody average was 121 last year, down from about
130. This year to-date average about 110. Community average – this year 2050, last year about
2200, year before about 2400. Roughly parallels crime rates so reducing numbers. Gord Irving
commented that numbers might be down but severity of issues is increasing. Lower risk kids are
not typically on caseloads any more. More challenging youth are those remaining in the system.
Tim Agg brought up permissible versus prohibited activities. Mixed messages from MCFD about
what are healthy and safe activities. Anne will explore this topic with others in the ministry. Paul
indicated that PARCA would be interested in joining in on this activity.
JHSNI Tour
Colin Gabelmann
Sept 2011
Anne asked about protocols related to youth entering FTAPs while taking medications such as
psychotropic medication. Wendy, Gord and Tim reported on the various protocols used by their
residential programs. All three agreed that medications are not a barrier to entry into the
programs. Brief discussion about confidentiality around health issues when youth are entering a
program.
Tour of Barnett House, Full Time Attendance Programs – Headstart and Oasis, and Youth Internet
Café (Delaware)
Tim Veresh explained that bargaining was finally settled and just waiting for ratification. Tim
explained that the big issue was money but the mandate from govt was zero, zero, zero. Union
was upset about closing of group homes (CLBC). Almost settled at the end of March but further
planned closures upset the unions. Current agreement expires March 2012 so only six months.
Nine unions trying to negotiate together added to challenges and Labour Board ruled that they do
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not need consensus – the largest union plus one other equalling at least 50% of membership can
cut a deal. Such variety amongst size and type of organizations makes hard to negotiate a
settlement that fits all. Bargaining all together is creating difficulties and standardization that
doesn’t necessarily work in this sector.
Colin discussed role of CSSEA. Expansion of contracted agencies, represented by CSSEA, allowed
downsizing of government and opportunities for innovation. [look up Judy Corbin] Whipsawing
was a problem in BC – this model got rid of it. Looked at the models that existed in the 70s and 80s
in the forest sector and construction industry. They had central bargaining for central issues then
small contracts for individual employers. Suggested that an important place to start is to look at
how to get the problem back on the political agenda.
When CSSEA was created it was supposed to be arm’s length from govt and not as arbitrary as
today’s zero, zero, zero. MCFD was putting something on the table and then taking it off again.
Tim Veresh wondered who was bargaining – CSSEA or govt. – if CSSEA is empowered to bargain
then they need the real power to do so.
Tim Agg and Tim Veresh provided examples of the problems in this sector, for example, the
different salary levels between nurses in the health sector versus nurses in the social services
sector.
Colin pointed out that governments are so overloaded that getting this kind of topic onto the
agenda is difficult.
Tim Veresh reminded that the HRLR service in CSSEA is valuable but bargaining is problematic.
Tim Agg talked about out-of-date job descriptions that cannot be brought up to date because of
the JJEP.
Colin suggested that we need a strategy to encourage govt to look at dysfunction because it is
demonstrated that the dysfunction leads to public harm. As problems emerge it will be important
to have spokespeople to demonstrate cause and effect to the public.
Organizations other than CSSEA need to take the lead here – PARCA, CEO network, etc. Colin
proposed a conference to explore the intellectual foundation of the problem and its solutions.
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Wedlidi Speck
Agreement that conversation should be continued at next meeting in Vancouver. In addition, Tim
Veresh, Tim Agg, Paul Barnett and Colin Gabelmann will have a further discussion and bring
forward recommendations.
Director of Aboriginal Service Change for Vancouver Island. How does Wedlidi see change in the
ministry with regard to change in youth justice? New ADM, Stephen Brown, very corporate, wants
accountability and measurement. Getting down to business – Brown is about delivering. All
regions have gone through changes. Wedlidi described changes in the ministry. Director of
Corporate Services will be hired in the next few weeks – will oversee budget approvals. [get list of
new positions]

Brown wants to see improvements in service and improvements in access to service. Created
standing committees to do the planning. Brown’s ‘bible’ is the The Execution Premium: Linking
Strategy to Operations for Competitive Advantage by Kaplan and Norton – understand his
thinking by looking at this book. Time frames of 30, 60, 90 days – want are the plans in each time
period, outcomes and how are these measured. Shift in level of accountability.
Structural models are the same for each region. Brown wants one point person in each region.
Under Leslie Detoit there was a philosophy of how MCFD and aboriginal communities would work
together. Brown claims this exists but evidence suggests this may not be the case. Wedlidi’s
concept was described by ‘Paddling a New Canoe’. Brown finds this too vague – wants concrete
actions: delegated agencies to be supported with a range of responsibilities mostly to do with
children in care. Agencies at different levels (1 – 6). Wedlidi’s role to support these agencies.
Aboriginal authorities being developed – Brown says if aboriginal authority are being developed
what is MCFD giving up.
Delegated agencies – are delegated by ministry to be responsible for children in care. Legal
agreement with ministry to take responsibility. Aboriginal authority may be in partnership with
delegated agencies but may be broader. Sasamans Society is trying to become an aboriginal
authority. Many Nations is trying to become a delegated agency. Roots program has been
successful and has supported role of delegated agencies. ‘Culture package’ would follow children
in care and help to provide connections. Aboriginal resource teams within MCFD have been
helpful.
Focusing on access and what prevents that. Touchstones – what wounds or traumas are getting in
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the way of aboriginal people accessing services – successful in the north?
Disentanglement not a priority on Wedlidi’s table. Hard for an aboriginal community in Alert Bay
to look after its community in other areas.
Zero budgets over next three years – no deficits.
Wedlidi described no-cost ways of improving access. Challenging aboriginal communities to ask
how the community can take back responsibility for the kids. Existing apathy and entrenched
victimization in some communities. Ahousat challenged USMA to understand aboriginal needs
better – in fact to ‘indigenize’ itself. MCFD standards of practice have been pulled over to
aboriginal sector and research underway into how to adapt these MCFD standards to make them
culturally appropriate for delegated agencies and aboriginal organizations.
Wedlidi Speck indicated that he plans to proceed very slowly in terms of aboriginal youth justice.
He has too many other commitments right now.
Tim Agg asked about educational opportunities for aboriginal people in social services sector.
Aboriginal Youth Intern program – youth people funded to spend a year with the ministry in a
mentorship situation. Discussion around retaining aboriginal people within non-profits. Retention
is aided by growth and change opportunities within agencies.
Tim Agg described PLEA’s partnership with the Sto Lo Nation specifically around the KidStart
program. Wedlidi suggested a bicultural approach can be really successful. Aboriginal client
numbers in non-aboriginal agencies have not gone down. Wedlidi described differences between
traditional, decultured, bicultural and assimilated.
Cultural core beliefs inventory – six questions to help determine where aboriginal people fitted in
these four core areas. Practice needs to understand where the client is and adjust services to meet
those needs.
Culture and treatment (addictions) paper that Wedlidi did when at JHSNI. Wedlidi described
several cases in which he used cultural practices to assist aboriginal youth to achieve their goals.
Gord suggested inviting Wedlidi’s counterparts to joint future PARCA meetings.
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Affiliations
BC Halfway House Association: Tim Veresh stepping down as president. Nathan Rock taking up
role of ambassador. Training coming up with Tim Beachy. Everything going fairly well.

CSSEA: New CEO hired. Bargaining concluded. Four criteria for hiring – weighted equally: seniority,
qualifications, performance, ability. New bumping language – 2nd person no longer goes to the
bottom – first 3 can bump anywhere, then after that bottom of classification. Hiring pool is being
explored at the sector table. Mandate ends March 2012. Tim not going to be on the bargaining
panel next time. Stepping down from the board at next AGM.
BCCJA (BC Criminal Justice Association): Congress 2013 is coming to BC – date could change. The
agenda is Criminal Justice in the 20th Century. This year’s congress is in Quebec City at end of
October. Victoria has created its own branch of BCCJA.
Co-op: Tim Agg reported that the Co-op is back into the hiring process for another CEO. Last one
didn’t work out and left very shortly after being hired. Just finished its best financial year ever. The
consulting work is in demand, particularly for groups impacted by the new employment contract.
Acting ED is Alison Marshall.
BC Corrections: Paul Barnett didn’t hear back from Brent Merchant. Tim Veresh reported positive
experiences with BC Corrections right now. New inreach programs. Custody centres are over
capacity.
Adult Forensic: Additional outreach program for mentally disordered offenders in Campbell River
has started.
Old Business
Provincial Employment Program: Selection process still ongoing.
Board Voice: Planning underway for AGM/Conference. Almost 70 members now.

New Business
Future Directions for PARCA: Invite Anne Kimmitt to next PARCA meeting. See if Alan Markwart is
available. Dean Wilson to be approached. Time Veresh will approach Colleen Kerr.
Statutory Release: CSC is saying that stat release is not going to be part of the omnibus crime bill.
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Internet Access and Protection of Staff: Concern about protecting staff who are using risky sites
legitimately as part of their work to find information that will help them to work with their clients.
Tim Veresh suggested using “Working Alone” policies to support staff accessing these sites,
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including notification to manager etc. Tim Veresh suggested that first question to ask is “what’s
the purpose”. For example, teens using Craig’s List to promote themselves in the sex trade. Staff
will look at these sites to learn what clients are doing. Gord Irving feels that, in the absence of
policy, access to these sites can be seen to have tacit approval. Tim Veresh and Tim Agg wondered
whether these sites are of any great use except in rare situations.
File and Case Review: Gord Irving asked whether anyone has actively engaged in a file review with
outside authorities unless triggered by a critical incident? Tim Veresh reported doing it quarterly
as an internal practice. Tim Agg thought there could be some real value in reviewing cases with
other agencies. JHSNI looks at identified cases with external consultants with MCFD. Bob Ens
reported on weekly consultations with outside agencies including RCMP and Parole Officers.
Awards: Currently no awards around community justice in BC. Tim Agg believes there should be a
Lieutenant Governor’s award for this field. Paul Barnett will follow up on this.
Next PARCA meetings:
1) Vancouver, November 7, 2011 – full-day meeting – Hotel Vancouver if possible
2) Victoria, February 15 – 16, 2012
3) Prince George, June 6 – 7, 2012
Sept 2011
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