Vela

A new program is now available for immigrant and refugee women who have a visible or invisible disability through the Pacific Immigrant Resources Society. The program, Building Bridges For Women with Disabilities, is a FREE, 18 week program helping to enhance women's skills, confidence and education. Register at [email protected] or (604) 298 5888.

We have some exciting events coming up! You can view them in our latest update: http://ow.ly/eug450D0P6z Interested in receiving our weekly updates? You can sign-up here: http://ow.ly/aWE350D0P6B

Flexible CLBC Funding Options for Microboards & Individualized Funding Recipients. CLBC Start with Hi and Stay Connected knows that many families are experiencing additional challenges with the caretaking of their family member who may no longer be able to access regular respite care, and other support options. Recognizing this, until June 30, 2021, Microboards and Individualized Funding recipients will have some flexibility on how their funding can be used. Please review the document from CLBC to understand how the funding can be used: http://ow.ly/yodO50CZLjy

Happy New Year! We are getting right back at 'er hosting our first 'Chats with Vela' this Thursday, Jan 7th at 7pm. These online chats are an opportunity for you to connect with our Vela team, learn about current changes and resources for Microboards and IF users, and connect with other families/individuals. During this event, we will address the flexible funding options announced by CLBC Start with Hi and Stay Connected (http://ow.ly/hYOA50CZHGF). If you have any questions..., or want to learn more, then we encourage you to attend. When: Thursday, January 7 Time: 7:00pm Register: email [email protected] to register.

Tonight we are doing ONE more 'Chats with Vela' event for 2020. When: Thursday, Dec 17 (tonight!) Time: 7:00pm (PST) Register: email at [email protected]... (registration closes by 5pm) Chats with Vela are online video chats providing Microboards and Individualized Funding recipients an opportunity to speak with Vela staff about resources and current updates. These chats are an opportunity to ask questions, learn about current updates, and connect with other families who are part of the conversation. These events WILL continue in the new year.

With a little help from our friends from @CornerGasFan. A big thank you to the organizer, Ian Richards, who wrote this incredible article on our 12 Days of Christmas Campaign spreading the Vela love. View the article here: https://cornergascorner.blogspot.com//with-little-help-fro

We are closing our doors (aka laptops) for the upcoming holidays and taking a much needed break. We will be closed from Saturday, December 19, 2020, reopening Monday, January 4, 2021. We will respond to all messages and emails when we return on Monday, January 4, 2021. We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Upcoming Webinar: Employment Standards Classifications: How to Classify & Hire Your Staff. In this webinar we will explore the different categories for staff within labour standards that exclude them from the typical regulations of the Employment Standards Act. These include live in-home supports, residential care workers, and night attendants. Diving into what you need to know to hire staff correctly, we will compare an employee versus a contractor; taking into consideratio...n whether they would be classified as an employee or contractor, and what the obligations are for each. Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm (PST) Cost: Free Bring your lunch and join us for our first webinar. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/webinar-employment-standards-cl

Have you or a family member been involved in Home Sharing? CLBC Start with Hi and Stay Connected wants to hear from you! If you have lived or are living in home sharing, if you are a family member of someone with home sharing experience, or if you are providing home sharing supports, please take this survey to help CLBC make improvements when it comes to referrals and crisis response: http://ow.ly/HBMf50CqokR

By popular demand, we are doing ONE more 'Chats with Vela' event for 2020. When: Thursday, Dec 17 Time: 7:00pm (PST) Register: email at [email protected]... (registration closes by 5pm day of event) Chats with Vela are online video chats providing Microboards and Individualized Funding recipients an opportunity to speak with Vela staff about resources and current updates. These chats are an opportunity to ask questions, learn about current updates, and connect with other families who are part of the conversation. These events WILL continue in the new year.

The countdown is on! In less than two weeks we will be participating in #givingtuesday, a global generosity movement. But that's not all, that day will be the beginning of our 12 days of Christmas campaign, helping us give the gift of independence to people with disabilities. Stay tuned - Dec 1, 2020!

Will you be joining us tonight for our Chats with Vela? We provide updates on important info relevant for Microboards and Individualized Funding users. This is an opportunity to ask VEla staff questions and to connect with other families with similar experiences. When: Thursday, Nov 19... Time: 7:00pm (PST) RSVP: email [email protected] by 5pm.

Check out our latest update featuring upcoming events, a new job opportunity and more...https://conta.cc/3lI41bb

Have you applied for the Temporary Pandemic Pay yet? Temporary Pandemic Pay supports eligible employees that delivered in-person, front-line care in health, social services and corrections during the 16-week period of March 15 to July 4, 2020. Employees will receive a lump-sum payment equivalent to about $4 per hour for straight-time hours worked anytime during the 16-week period. To apply and learn more, click here: https://conta.cc/3c3k67m

Our bi-weekly online conversations have been SO successful that we have decided to make them permanent! We are hosting Chats with Vela; an online video chat providing resources and updates for families and individuals with Microboards and Individualized Funding (IF). These online chats are an opportunity for you to connect with our Vela team, learn about current changes and resources for Microboards and IF users, and connect with other families/individuals. Our next chat is:... When: Thursday, October 8 Time: 7:00pm (pst) RSVP: email [email protected] to register. See you there!

Looking for fun things to do and an opportunity to connect with other families? Family Support Institute BC is hosting online events almost daily to help maintain connections between families and individuals. Check it out: http://ow.ly/5GSn50BK3GZ

Well this is exciting...We're hiring a part-time facilitator in the Lower Mainland! Interested in working with a supportive team helping people develop self-directed supports? Then we encourage you to apply. Full job description here: http://ow.ly/r6A050CmhYb

The Government of Canada (Accessible Canada) has announced a one-time payment of $600 for people with disabilities on October 30, 2020. This payment is to help with any extra expenses incurred during COVID-19.

The federal government has recently acknowledged that COVID-19 has not only disproportionately affected Canadians with disabilities but laid bare long-standing challenges for persons with disabilities to access adequate programs and benefits. The government’s response to what the community has long known is a commitment to establish a Canadian Disability Benefit. In response to this historic opportunity, Plan Institute has put together a free, two-part webinar series and you're invited to provide your feedback. Register here: https://planinstitute.ca/canada-disability-benefit/

Starting to think about Christmas gifts? posAbilities has launched their annual art show online. Shop and support local artists: https://www.inclusionartshow.com/

Have your say: Help guide the development of training options for Home Share. Your experience as a Microboard or Person Centred Society (PCS) delivering Home Share services will help guide the development of future training options. Survey is being conducted by the BC CEO Network who have received funding to develop sector-wide training for the Home Share area. Complete survey here: http://ow.ly/Ah8z50BGTNV

Amid Covid-19, Parents of Special-Needs Kids Face a Dilemma: https://www.rollingstone.com//covid-19-special-needs-pare/

Photos Wanted! We are looking for photos to populate our new website with. If you are part of the Vela community and would like to have your photo on our website, then please contact us. Send photos or questions to [email protected].

Temporary Pandemic Pay Program now available! Temporary pandemic pay supports eligible employees that delivered in-person, front-line care in health, social services and corrections during the 16-week period of March 15 to July 4, 2020. Employees will receive a lump-sum payment equivalent to about $4 per hour for straight-time hours worked anytime during the 16-week period. To apply and learn more, click here: https://conta.cc/3c3k67m

Check out CLBC Start with Hi and Stay Connected's weekly update with useful tools and information: http://ow.ly/V0oF50BDkmi

Have your say: Help guide the development of training options for Home Share. Your experience as a Microboard or Person Centred Society (PCS) delivering Home Share services will help guide the development of future training options. Survey is being conducted by the BC CEO Network who have received funding to develop sector-wide training for the Home Share area. ... Complete survey here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

Have you been sanitizing your hands every time you put on and take off your mask? The team at @SelfAdvocateSAS has put together a very helpful video on how to safely put on PPE. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOepD9ARPvA&t=1s

What is a Microboard and how do I create one? We are hosting a workshop with Family Support Institute BC on what is a Microboard and the steps to creating one. If you know someone interested in learning more about Microboards, we encourage you to invite them to this workshop. ... Register here: https://zoom.us//regi/tJYude6sqTMjGterJtU_SpZluVIbX_7_9lZj