Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
National

Drugs, Weapons Issues At B.C. Group Homes That Cared For Teen Who Died: Report

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Dec, 2015 12:26 PM
    VICTORIA — Newly released government documents say drugs and weapons were among the concerns at former private group homes operated by a company that cared for an 18-year-old before his death.
     
    Alex Gervais fell from an Abbotsford, B.C., hotel window last September, and his death has prompted a review by the government and the province's independent representative for children and youth into the placement of foster children in hotels.
     
    Gervais was sent to live in the hotel after the Ministry of Children and Family Development shut down several group homes operated by private-care provider, A Community Vision for Children and Families.
     
    Documents obtained through a freedom-of-information request indicate B.C.'s director of child welfare received allegations last January of caregivers using drugs and possessing weapons, which resulted in four people losing their jobs.
     
    But the company issued a statement Tuesday, saying it followed government protocols when screening caregivers.
     
    The Jan. 15 investigation report noted complaints by several people "who allege numerous child protection, quality of care and operation concerns involving" the company.
     
    "The initial allegations involve five youth, seven ACV homes and implicated four ACV contracted caregivers," said the report.
     
    The allegations were of "suspected drug use by caregivers, unsanitary conditions of the resource, caregivers having weapons and caregivers framing youth with weapons," it added.
     
     
    Criminal-record checks and prior-contact checks were conducted on the caregivers involved and revealed histories of domestic violence, physical violence, fraud, theft, weapons and possession of drugs for the purposes of trafficking, said the report.
     
    The report said two individuals faced outstanding criminal charges.
     
    The documents did not name the individuals involved or their outstanding charges.
     
    A criminal record does not prevent somebody from being approved as a caregiver, and in some cases can help with the often difficult work, the company said in a statement.
     
    "An individual who has made a mistake, been charged, and been fully rehabilitated is often in the best position to understand and relate to a child facing similar challenges," it said.
     
    The company also said it has a 20-year history of successfully housing B.C.'s most troubled youth and accused the Children's Ministry of moving too quickly to terminate its contracts rather than protecting youth like Gervais who lived in the company's private homes for seven years.
     
    "Sadly, one of the vulnerable children, Alex Gervais, died within weeks of being moved out of the ACV home," said the company.
     
    Children's Minister Stephanie Cadieux has said the policy review will examine the use of hotels as placements for children in care.
     
    It will include information about the demographics of the children, the reasons behind hotel placements and the potential risks associated with hotel stays.
     
    Opposition New Democrat children and family development critic Doug Donaldson said hotels are not appropriate places for vulnerable children.
     
    He said the review must put measures in place to ensure children receive the help and attention they require.  

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Transport Agency Reprimands Air Canada Over 'Paternalistic' Deaf-Blind Policy

    Carrie Moffatt booked a flight from Vancouver to Victoria in 2013 with her guide dog when she was informed she would have to fly with an attendant.

    Transport Agency Reprimands Air Canada Over 'Paternalistic' Deaf-Blind Policy

    Former B.C. Solicitor General Says Police Board Also To Blame In Chief Debacle

    Former B.C. Solicitor General Says Police Board Also To Blame In Chief Debacle
    VICTORIA — A former British Columbia solicitor general says Victoria's police board should shoulder some of the blame after the city's police chief admitted to sending inappropriate Twitter messages to the wife of a subordinate officer.

    Former B.C. Solicitor General Says Police Board Also To Blame In Chief Debacle

    Three Questions About Negative, Benchmark Interest Rates: What Would It Mean?

    Three Questions About Negative, Benchmark Interest Rates: What Would It Mean?
    The Bank of Canada says it would consider bumping its trend-setting interest rate into negative territory if the country ever faced a major economic shock, although governor Stephen Poloz said such a move is unlikely.

    Three Questions About Negative, Benchmark Interest Rates: What Would It Mean?

    Canada's Environment Minister Optimistic Deal Will Be Reached In Paris

    Canada's Environment Minister Optimistic Deal Will Be Reached In Paris
    "I see some progress but there are some countries that have real difficulties on a more ideological basis, so we're trying to work around that," McKenna told a news conference on Wednesday.

    Canada's Environment Minister Optimistic Deal Will Be Reached In Paris

    Nova Scotia Health Minister Issues Apology In The Death Of Gay Rights Activist

    Nova Scotia Health Minister Issues Apology In The Death Of Gay Rights Activist
    Nova Scotia's health and wellness minister issued a formal apology today for a mistake that led to the fatal beating death of a prominent gay rights activist outside a Halifax bar more than three years ago.

    Nova Scotia Health Minister Issues Apology In The Death Of Gay Rights Activist

    Provincial Negotiations Spur Six-Month Wait For New Federal Child Benefit

    Provincial Negotiations Spur Six-Month Wait For New Federal Child Benefit
    OTTAWA — The federal Liberals will take the next few months to negotiate with provinces over a new national child benefit after advocates raised concerns the government's plan could end up hurting those receiving provincial help.

    Provincial Negotiations Spur Six-Month Wait For New Federal Child Benefit

    PrevNext