Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: ESPC Announcements

  • Edmonton’s Living Wage 2024

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    Executive Summary

    A living wage is rooted in the belief that individuals and families should not just survive, but live with dignity and participate in their community. Differing from the minimum wage, a living wage carefully considers common expenses people pay to live and the wage necessary to cover these expenses for themselves and/or their families and to reach basic financial security.

    It is a calculation of the hourly rate at which a household can meet a modest standard of living, once government transfers have been added to the household’s income and deductions have been subtracted.

    In 2024, the living wage is $20.85, a decrease of $1.40 from the previous year.

    While inflation has increased significantly over the past year, expenses for the living wage reference families have gone down. The largest decreases this year were seen in clothing and footwear, due to changes in shopping patterns, and childcare, due to the gradual implementation of $10/day childcare. At the same time, the reference living wage families saw an increase in government benefits they are eligible for. These trends worked together to lower the living wage.

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    New report suggests Alberta’s living wage is higher than the minimum wage

    630 CHED Afternoons with J’lyn Nye

    Guest: Susan Morrissey, Executive Director, Edmonton Social Planning Council

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  • Blog post: Restorative Justice: The Journey to Healing

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    Written by Ugoeze Uchegbu-Okoroh, ESPC volunteer

    Healing is never a linear process; it is often long and arduous. In the interest of justice, the harm caused from committing crime against a person should not go unaddressed under any circumstance. Restorative justice focuses on repairing the damage caused, charting a course for healing. A successful restorative justice practice is one that is victim-centred, always striving to meet the needs of victims and survivors. As opposed to the idea that it is an easy way for an offender to escape the consequences of their actions, this form of justice places heavy reliance on the offender taking responsibility for the harm done, and with the participation of the victim, moving towards reparation (Latimer & Kleinknecht, 2000).

    Even though there are varying views on the application of restorative justice, the programs in Canada have been successful. According to the Department of Justice Canada, offenders in these programs are more likely to follow through on negotiated restitution agreements than comply with court-ordered restitution (Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, 2022).

    In a booklet released by Alberta in 2007, the three common restorative justice models based on needs are: the family group conferencing, circles, and victim-offender mediation. The model to be used is determined by the need, the crime, and the individuals involved (Alberta Government, 2007).

    Restorative justice is often utilised outside of the criminal justice system. However, Canada has taken some steps to include it within the framework of the formal justice system. An example is in section 717 of the Criminal Code that states the diversion of matters away from the formal criminal justice system is done using alternative measures and when the referral is not inconsistent with the protection of society. The alternative measures include a written acknowledgement of responsibility, an acceptance of the facts surrounding the offence, and voluntary consent of the accused, the person who has been harmed as well as any community and personal supports (Hon. Brown, 2022). On the issue of sentencing, section 718 of the Criminal Code further outlines sentencing objectives to be consistent with a restorative justice approach. “The Principles and Guidelines for Restorative Justice Practice in Criminal Matters” which is based on the “UN’s Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters”, emphasizes Canada’s commitment to implementing the “UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People” (Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, 2018). Alberta’s support of restorative justice initiatives includes providing grants to non-profits and communities.

    Prior to the official recognition of restorative justice in Canada, Indigenous communities as well as faith-based groups had informally utilized these practices to resolve disputes. In a report by the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, the Mennonites were one of the earliest faith communities to pioneer restorative justice, based on their belief in the bible and mending relationships with God and one another. Within Indigenous cultures, “Talking circles” are used to express emotions and foster reconciliation among community members with a view to promoting peace. It is through this avenue that Indigenous practices and traditions are sustained.  For example, in First Nation communities under the Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC) In Northern Ontario, the restorative justice process involves a traditional circle, where an agreement is made for the offender to do something to repair the harm. If the offender does not violate the terms of the agreement, the matter is closed but if the offender violates any of the terms, it is referred to the court to proceed accordingly. In 2022, in response to understanding Indigenous history, culture and laws as well as, following consultation with stakeholders, the Indigenous Justice Strategy was created. This gave rise to the Edmonton Indigenous Court as well where justice programs in the province, help address the problem of over representation of Indigenous people in the justice system and lack of a system suited to Indigenous cultures and needs (Alberta Court of Justice, 2024). Prior to this in 2019, the Calgary Indigenous Court was created where both courts include an Indigenous healing plan in probation orders. According to a CBC news article (Huncar, 2022), the released strategy also disclosed a possibility for legislation to support restorative justice in the province but there has been no update on this.

    Even with the growing awareness and use of restorative justice practices, there are some concerns that have been expressed about its application to violent crimes. For example, some have argued that restorative justice should not be used in gender-based violence cases. While it has been largely agreed that restorative justice offers more options to victims and survivors than the formal justice system does, there is a lack of proper guidelines for its application in gender-based crimes. According to the Alberta Courts’ Restorative Justice Pilot Project Framework (Hon. Brown, 2022) addressing restorative justice for gender-based and sexual crimes, Alberta is unable to currently handle referrals for these kinds of crimes due to public safety considerations, risk assessment criteria, and lack of specialized service providers.

    To celebrate this year’s National Restorative Justice Week from November 17-23 (European Forum for Restorative Justice, 2024), the International Institute for Restorative Practices will host the first in-person symposium in Ottawa on November 18 and 19, 2024. The public are encouraged to raise awareness by hosting dialogues, engaging with Indigenous and spiritual leaders, amongst others. The success of these programs is largely dependent on ensuring that it is suited to the needs of the participants involved. In the coming years, a great marker of success in this area will be the emergence of direct legislation to support the practice as well as increase in the number of skilled facilitators. It is important to note that restorative justice models are not punitive in nature but are more concerned with fixing the harm.

    References

    1. Department of Justice Canada. Jeff Latimer, & Steven Kleinknect. (2000). The Effects of the Restorative Justice Programming: A Review of the Empirical. Government of Canada. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/jsp-sjp/rr00_16/toc-tdm.html

    2. Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. (2022). Restorative Justice in Canada: What Victims Should Know

    3. Alberta Government. (2007). Restorative Justice: What makes a safe community.

    4.Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat. (2018) https://scics.ca/en/product-produit/principles-and-guidelines-for-restorative-justice-practice-in-criminal-matters-2018/

    5. Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation. (n.d.) https://nanlegal.on.ca/restorative-justice/

    6.Alberta Court of Justice. (n.d.) Indigenous Justice Strategy. https://albertacourts.ca/cj/about-the-court/court-of-justice/indigenous-justice-strategy

    7. CBC News. (2022) Andrea Huncar. Alberta considers legislation for upcoming provincewide restorative justice program
    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-restorative-justice-bigstone-ifsaa-1.6681456#:~:text=One%20Alberta%20community%20leading%20the,Lake%2C%20Big%20Lakes%20and%20Edmonton.

    8. Provincial Court of Alberta. (2022) Honourable Beverley Browne. Alberta Courts’ Restorative Justice Pilot Project Framework.

    9. European Forum for Restorative Justice
    https://www.euforumrj.org/RJWeek

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    1. Blog post: World Mental Health Day – Is our current approach working hard or hardly working?

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      Written by Harman Khinda, ESPC volunteer

       

      World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th, with this year’s theme focused on “workplace mental health”. Our world’s workforce is 60% of the global population, therefore urgent action is needed to ensure work limits risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work.1 Mental health is a public health and certain strategies at both the macro and micro-levels can create positive impacts through increases in access to services, creating space for open dialogue, and prioritization of preventative measures. Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health and improve the overall quality of life and participation at work.1 It will take the collective efforts of leaders across a variety of sectors, in addition to meaningful engagement with workers and a commitment through funding, resources and a cultural shift to enact effective evidence-based approaches and interventions at work to promote a healthier work-life balance.

      Advancements in Publicly Funded Services in Canada

      The Government of Canada launched the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline on November 30, 2023. This service uses collaborative and person-centred approaches with a minimally intrusive intake process to prioritize user welfare. The service is available 24 hours-a-day via phone or text and provides bilingual, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate support from trained responders connected to local mental health organizations.4 The federal government provided $156 million over three years to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to implement and operate the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline. Suicide continues to be a serious public health issue impacting people of all ages and backgrounds. Invariably, an estimated 15% of working-age adults have a mental disorder at any point in time. Depression and anxiety are estimated to cost the global economy US $1 trillion each year driven predominantly by lost productivity. People living with severe mental health conditions are largely excluded from work despite participation in economic activities being important for recovery.5

      The Importance of Public Health

      The global pandemic in recent years further exacerbated on-going issues in the healthcare system including underfunding, limited resources, rampant misinformation, and siloed approaches to healthcare delivery in existing primary care and public health systems. Access to, maintenance of, and continual development of robust primary care and public health efforts are the foundation of a healthy society. The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) defines public health as the organized effort of society to keep people healthy and prevent injury, illness and premature death. It is a combination of programs, services and policies that protect and promote the health of all Canadians.2 The World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on Mental Health at Work provides evidence-based recommendations to promote mental health, prevent mental health conditions, and enable people living with mental health conditions to participate and thrive in work. The recommendations can generally be organized into two categories – organizational interventions and individual interventions.

      Organizational interventions can reshape working conditions and nurture a more friendly work culture. Some examples of this include reasonable accommodations, return-to-work programs and policies in place to prevent discrimination and poor working conditions. These measures can foster stability, job satisfaction and improved mental health. In addition, practices such as regular check-in meetings, frequent breaks, gradually reintroducing workers to tasks, as well as training managers to support mental health, all promote a nurturing workplace. Collaboration among governments, employers, and organizations must work together to create policies that prevent mental health risks, promote well-being, and build supportive workplaces which prioritize mental health and well-being. Individual interventions protect and promote mental health at work through training and can focus on mental health literacy, strengthening skills to recognize mental health conditions at work, and empowering workers to seek support. Stigma and discrimination often prevent people with mental health conditions from seeking help. Reducing workplace discrimination through awareness, training, and engagement with people living with mental health conditions creates healthier, more inclusive work environments​.

      Calls to Action

      Health is a key factor in building a socially cohesive society and we must commit to strengthening the health of the community. A call to action – visit the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) website for resources and support. If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else thinking about suicide, call or text 988 for suicide prevention support. #WorldMentalHealthDay

       

       

      In-Text Citation Sources (APA Format)

      1. World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). World Mental Health day 2024. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2024
      2. What is public health? | Canadian Public Health Association. (n.d.). Www.cpha.ca. https://www.cpha.ca/what-public-health
      3. World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). Guidelines on mental health at work. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052
      4. Sayani, F. (2023, December 5). 988 launches in Canada. Mental Health Commission of Canada. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/988-launches-in-canada/
      5. World Health Organization. (n.d.-b). Mental health at work: Policy brief. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057944

       

      Sources

      Canada, P. H. A. of. (2023, November 30). Government of canada launches three-Digit Suicide Crisis Helpline. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2023/11/government-of-canada-launches-three-digit-suicide-crisis-helpline.html

      Canadian Mental Health Association – National L A Mental Health Charity. CMHA National. (2024b, October 7). https://cmha.ca/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpP63BhDYARIsAOQkATZjJMT2OFqK2UFr-NV9LuD_plnaqzsuTc7XXXkdfhYXwtwwbv6i_zoaAkjBEALw_wcB

      Sayani, F. (2023, December 5). 988 launches in Canada. Mental Health Commission of Canada. https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/988-launches-in-canada/

      What is public health? | Canadian Public Health Association. (n.d.). Www.cpha.ca. https://www.cpha.ca/what-public-health

      World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). Guidelines on mental health at work. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052

      World Health Organization. (n.d.-b). Mental health at work: Policy brief. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057944

      World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). World Mental Health day 2024. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2024

      World Health Organization. (n.d.). World Mental Health Day. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day

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      1. Blog post: Unearthing Indigenous Knowledge in the Landscape

        [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

        Written by Nguyen Chu, ESPC volunteer

        “Wisdom sits in places,” Apache elder Dudley Patterson once said (Basso, 1996). For Indigenous Peoples, land is not just a physical space, but a living archive of knowledge, history, and cultural memory. It is a teacher, a storykeeper, and a guide. Through place names, oral traditions, and the very contours of the earth, the landscape encodes and preserves the accumulated wisdom of countless generations.

        Geographic features serve as mnemonic devices for many Indigenous cultures, anchoring survival knowledge, lineages, and moral teachings in the land itself (Basso, 1984). The Inuit of Northwest Greenland use the landscape to recall both local histories and ancient myths (Nuttall, 2001), while the Inuinnait rely on place names to connect people to their environment, making the land a keeper of the community’s memory and values (Collignon, 2006). Anthropologist Julie Cruikshank (1990) found that for the Tlingit and Tagish peoples of the Yukon, place names serve as gateways to the past, allowing them to “use points in space to talk about time.” Oral traditions, too, are tightly braided with the land; these multi-generational stories help recount important events that happened at specific sites, carrying not just the history of a place but also the wisdom and life lessons it embodies (Eco-Hawk, 2000). These themes are shared across Indigenous cultures worldwide, from the songlines of Aboriginal Australians that hold vast geographical, ecological, and cultural knowledge, to the complex glyphs by the foothills of the Andes that anchor NASCA people’s histories and worldviews in the very earth itself (Kelly, 2016).

        Yet the arrival of European settlers disrupted intimate connections. Colonial practices like forced relocation, the creation of reserves, residential schools, and the suppression of Indigenous languages and cultural practices were made with the intention to sever the physical, cultural, and spiritual ties between Indigenous communities and the land (Stojanovik, 2021; UNESCO Canadian Commission, 2021). Moreover, colonialism has been ignoring the evidence of Indigenous oral histories, place names, and archaeological sites that attest to their long-standing presence, justifying the dispossession of Indigenous Peoples from their homelands, rather than acknowledging the complex, localized ways in which colonial encounters have played out (Cruikshank, 2005).

        This deliberate separation of Indigenous Peoples from their lands has led to the rapid and severe erosion of languages and cultures that are deeply intertwined with their specific territories (UNESCO Canadian Commission, 2021).

        Despite these persistent and systemic adversities, Indigenous Peoples have shown remarkable resilience in maintaining and revitalizing their relationships with the land. Across Canada, communities are asserting their rights to their territories and reviving cultural practices and land-based education, which is an educational approach that integrates Indigenous knowledge and practices with Western education (UNESCO Canadian Commission, 2021), creating a new generation of leaders who carry forward the languages, teachings, and responsibilities of the land.

        At the same time, the path toward reconciliation requires non-Indigenous people to have a fundamental shift in our own relationships to land and history by recognizing and respecting Indigenous Peoples’ inherent rights to their traditional territories and supporting their efforts in reclaiming and protecting these lands, honouring the treaties and the relationships of mutual respect and sharing that they represent, and learning from Indigenous knowledge systems that see land not as a resource to be exploited, but instead as a sacred relative and teacher (Cowan, n.d.). As climate change and environmental degradation are threatening the very foundations of our existence, we must learn to listen to the wisdom encoded within the landscape, realizing that our survival is braided with the health of the land and all our relations (UNESCO Canadian Commission, 2021).

        Indigenous land-based knowledge offers a path forward. As we have established, using the landscape itself as a mnemonic device not only makes learning more memorable and enjoyable but also fosters a deeper connection to places and a sense of commitment to protect them. Across Canada, a growing number of schools and communities are already centring Indigenous land-based education in their curriculums (UNESCO Canadian Commission, 2021). These programs are creating a new generation of leaders who carry forward the languages, teachings, and responsibilities of the land. As Joseph-McCullough puts it, “We are creating citizens of Canada to be like no others before them” (2021).

        The land remembers. It carries the stories, the knowledge, and the resilience of Indigenous Peoples. As we try to navigate this turbulent time, may we walk this path of reconciliation together––to honour the living archive of the land, to revive and strengthen the languages and practices that connect us to nature, and to build a future in which all peoples and all beings can thrive.

         

         References

        Basso, K. H. (1996). Wisdom sits in places: Landscape and language among the Western Apache. University of New Mexico Press.

        Canadian Commission for UNESCO. (2021). Land as teacher: Understanding Indigenous land-based education. https://en.ccunesco.ca/idealab/indigenous-land-based-education

        Collignon, B. (2006). Knowing places: The Inuinnait, landscapes, and the environment. Canadian Circumpolar Institute.

        Cowan, J. (n.d.). Indigenous tradition as philosophy [Unpublished manuscript].

        Cruikshank, J. (1990). Life lived like a story: Life stories of three Yukon Native elders. University of Nebraska Press; UBC Press.

        Cruikshank, J. (2005). Do glaciers listen? Local knowledge, colonial encounters, and social imagination. UBC Press.

        Eco-Hawk, R. (2000). The power of place: Native North Americans and Indigenous knowledge. Evergreen State College.

        Kelly, L. (2016). Memory code. Allen & Unwin.

        Nuttall, M. (2001). Locality, identity, and memory in South Greenland. Études/Inuit/Studies, 25(1-2), 53-72.

        Stojanovik, M. (2021). Aboriginal Songlines. Odyssey Traveller.
        https://www.odysseytraveller.com/articles/aboriginal-songlines/

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        1. Blog post: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): The Need to Build More Awareness and Support

          [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

          Written by Brett Lambert, ESPC Research Officer

           

          Did you know that 1 in 25 people (4%) in Canada live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)? This translates to 1.5 million people (Flannigan, Unsworth, and Harding, 2018). That means it is possible to have one student in every classroom who lives with FASD. FASD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disabilities in North America. It impacts more people in Canada than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome combined. These numbers are considered a conservative estimate, and it is possible the rate of prevalence could be even higher because diagnosis can be challenging.

          The month of September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, which aims to bring about more understanding of a commonly known but not very well understood disorder that affects more people than the general public might think.

          In an effort to help further this awareness and bring about more understanding, the Edmonton Social Planning Council recently hosted a Lunch & Learn event on September 17 on this very topic where Brittany Durant, Program Manager for FASD Programs from Catholic Social Services spoke at length about FASD and how to better support individuals who live with the disorder.

          FASD is defined as the impact on the brain and body of individuals who were prenatally exposed to alcohol as a fetus while in the womb of a pregnant person. It is a lifelong disability and persons who have the disorder experience some degree of challenges in their daily living and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach their full potential. Since the disorder exists on a spectrum, the manifestations of FASD can be unique to each individual and can present differently for each person (CanFASD, n.d.-a).

          The impact of prenatal alcohol exposure can also influenced by a number of factors, which includes the age of the pregnant person, the amount of alcohol consumed, pattern and timing of alcohol exposure, general health and nutrition of the pregnant person, the level of stress or trauma of the pregnant person, whether the pregnant person also smoked or used other drugs, and the genetics of the parents’ and epigenetic changes (Guerri et al., 2009).

          Although the disorder is considered a life-long disability and there is no “cure,” individuals with FASD can still live successful lives with access to the appropriate level of support and services.

          Barriers to Supports for Persons with FASD

          Although the potential to lead a thriving and successful life is possible for individuals with FASD, the sad reality is that too many lack access to consistent systematic supports. As a result, this means that 90% of individuals with FASD will experience mental health issues and they are 20 times more likely to struggle with substance use than the general population (CanFASD, n.d.-b).

          They are also at risk of experiencing homelessness, which could range from hidden homelessness like couch surfing or more visible homelessness like sleeping rough on the streets (Poth et al., 2018).

          Persons with FASD can experience memory and cognitive challenges that can make tasks like paying rent on time difficult or can impact their ability to properly perform tasks at a job. This can make finding a place to stay a challenge too.

          Landlords who do not understand the disorder may hold negative stereotypes and not want to rent to people with FASD. These issues are compounded for individuals who receive disability payment as their primary source of income as they have systemically been denied housing. (Bibr et al., 2024).

          According to the Canada FASD Research Network, 80% of youth and young adults with FASD have had difficulty with sustaining independent housing. In addition, many housing models do not take into account the experiences of those with FASD and have limited capacity through staff training and resources to address FASD support and needs (Bibr et al, 2024).

          More Government Action is Needed

          Governments need to take more action to give FASD the recognition it deserves so that more robust support is in place.

          In the Canadian Senate, Bill S-253 would put forward a National FASD Framework that seeks to establish a systemic and coordinated effort to address proper support for FASD. Current supports are scattered and inconsistent across Canada and the bill would establish a development plan for a framework that would address that. In addition to consulting caregivers, self-advocates, and representatives of provincial and territorial governments, the bill also seeks to address the training needs of professionals working with people with FASD, which would be an important step forward for improving the lives of individuals with FASD (CanFASD, n.d.-c).

          Change Also Begins at the Individual Level

          Just as governments need to lay the foundation for better support of persons with FASD, change also needs to happen at the individual level. Promoting a better understanding, awareness, and acceptance will help build a society where more people get diagnosed and receive the supports necessary to thrive.

          While supports for individuals currently living with FASD is important, education on prevention is also important. Making sure expectant parents know that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is necessary. In addition, people also need to be mindful about alcohol consumption in the period leading up to pregnancy. Since 61% of all pregnancies are unplanned, responsible alcohol use in the lead-up to pregnancy also needs to be considered.

           

          References

          Bibr, C.O., J. Pei, K.D. Harding (2024). People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder face a heightened risk of homelessness. https://theconversation.com/people-with-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-face-a-heightened-risk-of-homelessness-237846

          CanFASD [n.d.-a]. Basic Information. https://canfasd.ca/topics/basic-information/

          CanFASD [n.a.-b]. What is FASD? https://canfasd.ca/what-is-fasd/

          CanFASD [n.d.-c]. National FASD Framework. https://canfasd.ca/national-fasd-framework/

          Flannigan, K., K. Unsworth, and K. Harding (2018). The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/publications/Prevalence-1-Issue-Paper-FINAL.pdf

          Guerri, C., A. Bazinet, and E.P. Riley (2009). Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and alterations in brain and behaviour. Alcohol Alcohol, 2009. 44(2): p. 108 – 114.

          Poth, C-A, E. Carlson, J. Pei, V. Joly (2018). Creating Intersections: A Systematic and Person-Centered Harmonizing Framework for Housing Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. https://homelesshub.ca/resource/creating-intersections-systematic-and-person-centered-harmonizing-framework-housing-individuals-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/

           

            [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

          1. Community Matters September 2024: Disability: And A Look At Inclusive Communities

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            Welcome to the fall edition of our quarterly publication, Community Matters.

            The aim of Community Matters is to inform the community about social issues that impact people who live in our community. The information contained allows readers to increase their knowledge, and to connect the dots between social issues, evidence and policy. In Community Matters, we give space to local agencies, ESPC staff and volunteer writers or professionals in the field to share their knowledge and voices.

            Each edition will spotlight a specific social issue or topic and highlight its intersectional nature and impact on equality. Articles are written by people with specialized knowledge, research skills or lived experience using evidence to provide clear information and inform on the issues affecting individuals and families.

            For our September 2024 issue, we are focusing on different experiences surrounding people with disabilities and a look at how to create a more inclusive community. Reproductive rights, the treatment of people with disabilities, government benefit programs, hiring practices and universal design are a few of the topics covered in this edition. Disability encompasses a broad spectrum of physical and mental disabilities, and addressing relevant issues, progress and innovations that appropriately reflect this spectrum would require much more space than we have here. The topics covered reflect an availability of authors from our organization, other organizations or volunteers who have graciously set aside time and used their expertise to complete research on each topic and to communicate the basics of what you need to know, so that readers such as yourselves can leave reading this publication with the beginning steps of being informed.

            We hope you find this issue to be an enlightening read and that it contributes positively to the discourse surrounding people with disabilities in our community in Edmonton.

            Janell Uden, Research Services and Capacity Building Coordinator

            Edmonton Social Planning Council

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