Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the BC Care Providers Association’s annual general meeting was held virtually on December 1st. Board president Aly Devji and CEO Terry Lake provided the members with an update on the key accomplishments of the past year including:
- Approval of new three year Strategic Plan
- Development of organizational COVID Rapid Response Team providing daily news updates, resources, and producing the Pandemic Next Wave Report.
- Regular meetings with the Minster of Health, Deputy Minister of Health, and weekly meetings with key ministry staff
- Federal advocacy with the Canadian Association of Long Term Care
- Recruitment of new CEO
- Strong growth of EngAge BC membership and its programs including increased traffic on Route 65, the launch of Assurity pilot program, and the establishment of a Home Health Committee.
- Development and management of the $10 million EquipCare BC program that will bring vital infection control and infrastructure enhancements to long-term care and assisted living operators.
- Launch of the Energy Savings Program which gives BCCPA members an internal resource to assist with tracking and reporting on energy use and carbon emissions, equipping them with the information necessary to achieve cost and emissions reductions.
- Focus on Health Human Resources advocacy, establishment of a $25K bursary to Okanagan College, and the development of the HCA Training Program.
- Development of publications such as COVID-19: A Turning Point for BC Seniors’ Care , The Best Visit Possible, and Dementia-Friendly Care Homes: Best Practices in Dementia Care.
- Provided continued member engagement with virtual Annual Conference and Care to Chat events.
- Celebrated BC’s Health Care heroes with the BC Care Awards presented at SafeCare BC’s virtual Hearts and Hands event.
Among the decisions receiving approval from the BCCPA membership using an electronic voting tool were three policy motions giving the organization the go-ahead to advocate on key issues. These were:
- A provincial tax credit program for home health care and independent living services
- COVID-19 testing strategy for BC’s seniors’ care sector
- Civil liability protection for BC’s seniors’ care and living sector
The following board directors were elected or re-elected to the board:
- Karen Biggs, Menno Place
- Wendy Calhoun, Kaigo
- Christine Elliott, Finnish Manor
- David Hurford, Three Links Care Society
- Al Jina, Park Place Seniors Living
- Michael Neumann, Verve
- Elaine Price, Eden Care
- Melanie Reinhardt, Vantage Living
- Hendrik Van Ryk, H & H Total Care
The following Board executives were elected at a Board meeting after the AGM:
- President: Aly Devji
- Vice President: Hendrik Van Ryk
- Secretary/Treasurer: Riz Gehlen
- Past President: Karen Biggs
A complete list of board members can be found here.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of the recipients of the Ed Helfrich Long Service Excellence Award winners Karen and Otto Froelich and Judy Reefschlager. You can read more about them and view a tribute video here.
