It is widely recognized that while only seven per cent (7%) of British Columbians are Aboriginal, Aboriginal people comprise roughly 25% of all British Columbians who use mental health and substance use services. Service providers who are less attuned to Indigenous cultural and history, or their own preconceptions, may be at a disadvantage to forming positive, therapeutic relationships with Aboriginal clients.
The Community Action Initiative (CAI) is making available 200 fully-sponsored training spaces of an Indigenous Cultural Competency online course for the staff of community-based non-profit agencies, whose work helps to address mental health and substance use issues. Preference is extended to service providers and/or volunteers who:
- Work in support recovery homes that provide residential services to people facing substance use challenges; or
- Work in agencies whose mandate works with clients who have/had involvement with the criminal justice system (e.g. halfway houses, community policing centers, community courts, shelters).
This course is run by the Provincial Health Services Authority and would normally cost $250 per person. Further information about training can be found at the CAI website.