Despite wide-spread public outcry and media attention, the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) program for children with autism is closing its doors this week due to government funding cuts.

At Queen Alexandra Center for Child Health on Vancouver Island, 40 experienced and highly-trained therapists have lost their jobs. Today is their last day of work.

These cuts were triggered this fall by Children and Family Development Minister Mary Polak, who announced funding for autism services for children under age 6 would be cut by more than $3 million.

CoDevelopment Canada invites HSA members and friends to its World Community Film Festival, January 29-31, 2010 at Langara College.

The ninth annual film festival features documentaries set around the globe about social justice, food security, and environmental issues.

The BC Health Coalition is pleased to announce "Advocating for Seniors Advocacy in B.C." -- an important community event taking place on January 19, 2010 in Burnaby.

The BC Health Coalition is co-sponsoring this event with the BC Seniors' Advocacy Network and the Hospital Employees' Union.  They wish to develop a more constructive dialogue among advocacy groups that work with individual advocates and pursue systemic advocacy goals.

In past years, the Health Sciences Association has marked the holiday season with cards of thanks and greetings to activists, colleagues, supporters and suppliers. It was our way of thanking you for the work you do with us throughout the year.This year - as we have done in recent years - HSA instead made a financial contribution to Food Banks BC.

On December 1, World AIDS Day, the BC government cut funding for HIV / AIDS outreach and service organizations.

If you disagree with the BC governments decision to cripple AIDS Vancouver and other community-based health organizations by cutting their funding, join with HSA members at the protest organized by cancelthecuts.org:

Saturday, December 12th ... Queen Charlotte
What:  Petition signing and food bank drive
Time:  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:  City Centre Stores, 121 3rd Avenue, Queen Charlotte
"Find out how can help fight for amublance services in rural BC, and donate to the community food bank.

Week of December 14th, 2009

December 6, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montréal massacre of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique. HSA encourages members to take part in vigils and ceremonies to reaffirm our commitment to ending violence against women.

If you know of an event in your community that is not listed below, please contact Yukie Kurahashi at ykurahashi@hsabc.org. Check HSAs website at www.hsabc.org for updates to this schedule of events.

HSA invites its Fraser Health Authority members affected by the cuts and their stewards to attend special meetings to discuss the cut backs to social workers, registered psychiatric nurses and youth care counsellors. These meetings are an opportunity to get accurate information on your collective agreement rights from the union's labour relations specialists.

HSA also encourages members to access the Fraser Health intranet, and ensure that your seniority information is accurate.

SPECIAL MEETING FOR HSA SOCIAL WORKERS IN FRASER HEALTH AUTHORITY

No more cuts and broken promises!

Join representatives from across Vancouver Island to deliver their messages to Kevin Falcon & Gordon Campbell:  It's time to protect public health care, not destroy it!

Date:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Time:
12:00 Noon

Location:
Front Lawn of the BC Legislature, Victoria

Buses leaving from Campbell River, Port Alberni, Parksville & Nanaimo -- to book your seat, call 604-681-7945.

November 6 marks the second annual Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day, an event to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role that these workers play in making communities better places to live.

Community social service workers represented by the Health Sciences Association work in child development centres, transition houses, infant development programs, community counselling centres, agencies for youths at risk, and various other crucial community service organizations.