Tla-o-qui-aht Emergency Management Team Covid-19 Resources - April 30, 2020
Public Plea for Support
This is a public plea to members and residents at Opitsaht, Esowista and Tyhistanis. This COVID-19 Pandemic is a serious virus. The Emergency Management Committee (EOC) work hard to ensure our members isolate and stay home to protect our most vulnerable; our elders our babies, our children.
The EOC receive many calls and messages about the ongoing drinking and partying in community. There is a few homes that choose to ignore the social & physical distancing rules. Anxiety is already high and this behavior adds to fear. This public plea is to those who continue partying and carrying on in our communities - walking around intoxicated, go from community to community - please stop. We ask you to stop and look after yourselves for your family, and a community as a whole.
We are in midst of a serious pandemic - a crisis. Our EOC team is busy seven days a week, and work long hours to maintain safety and order, and night should be a time of rest for all of us. A few times the EOC has reached out to each of these homes and members to have a talk respectfully, and there still is ongoing disregard the policies in place for all us to follow.
We will continue to reach out to heads of family and our Ha'wiih and Justice Portfolio's to gather support until this stops. The very last step if all this fails will be removal from the community for the health and safety of our members. There is support in place to assist families and households to stop contact Deb Botting or one of the many resources in this handbook. Message from Elmer (EOC Chair)
Tla-o-qui-aht remains at a Level 4.
On behalf of the EOC I want to commend our people for working together in keeping the virus out of our communities. Thank you to our team for you contributions.
This resource book is meant for a guide to assist our members with various agencies/persons to contact to assist you where necessary. First Nations Health Authority
People who are actively using substances or at risk of overdose and withdrawal have access to a safe supply of drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether they have symptoms of COVID-19 or not.
PDF available here:
https://www.bccsu.ca/wp- content/uploads/2020/04/Poster- Information-for-PWUD.pdf Copy this into your web browser
Help & Resources Is Available
Our EOC team has identified supports to those who are willing to accept help during this time of crisis for our elders, our babies, our people who have a compromised immune system - our people.
Deb Botting, along with EOC members is willing to work with individuals or groups of individuals to provide the necessary supports and resources. Please reach out to her at 250.726.8970 or by email at [email protected] or leave a message at the health center at 250.725.3335. Also, find her on Facebook.
We have provided many resources in this booklet please review the many people who are available. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK I Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] Crisis Lines Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888- 494-3888 for free support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) to get help right away, any time of day or night. It’s a free call. KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides 24 hour phone support to callers with in the Port Alberni area as well as Aboriginals throughout the Province of British Columbia. Adult/Elder Crisis Line: 250-723-4050 Child/Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040 Call Kid’s Help Phone: for children and youth aged 5 to 20. Call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a professional counsellor, 24 hours a day. It’s free, confidential, anonymous and available across Canada. They can also refer you to local services and resources. Westcoast Community Resources Society Is participating in the community efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Our offices in Ucluelet and Tofino will be closed to the public and client meetings until further notice. Although we are closing our physical doors, our services remain open and available to access during this time. If you are needing our services please reach out via the phone, email or the internet. The Transition House will remain open and available to women in need.
Women’s Outreach; Vickie Ackerman email: [email protected] PH: 250.726.5104 Supporting women and their children to assist them in accessing, securing and developing the resources they need to achieve their goals.
Women’s Counsellor; Robin Tagles email: [email protected] PH: 250-726-5269
Women who are dealing with abusive / violent relationships or difficult transitions can contact Robin, our stopping the violence counselor. Robin is also offering a writing circle for women via the internet and plans to offer other workshops and groups online during this time.
Transition House; email: [email protected] PH: 250-726-2020 TEXT: 250-266-0187 (Available 24 / 7 for women and children fleeing abusive situations)
Community Outreach; Toni Buston/Erin Cassidy Email: [email protected] PH: 250-726- 6513 Available for information, support, referral to services and assistance in accessing government services.
Community Youth Worker; Waylon McLeod email: [email protected] PH: 250-726-5056 -Supporting youth and their family who may be experiencing relationship problems, inappropriate verbal or non verbal behaviors, problems at home or at school. Children’s Counsellor; Sarah Hogan email: [email protected] PH: 250-266-0217 - Individual counselling and caregivers support for children and teens who have experienced violence in their lives.
Youth and Family Addictions Counsellor; Marnie Helliwell email: [email protected] PH: 250-726-5021 - Individual counselling and caregivers support for children and teens who have been impacted by substance use.
If you are unsure who you should contact, admin is available by email [email protected] and our main office number 250-726-2343 will be monitored.
Please note that the weekly Community Lunch, Volunteer Income Tax Program and Mindful Meditation will be suspended until further notice or alternative arrangements can be made. Please follow our Facebook (Westcoast Community Resources Society) for up to date information.
Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888 Thanks, Carrie Ho Manager of Operations
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] From Tara Souch - email [email protected] Danielle (NTC) and I will be hosted our first virtual meet-up for the girls we know or work with in TFN and Ahousaht. For some of you this includes your daughter/nieces and we would appreciate it if you are able to pass along this poster to them and I will also email you the zoom link early next week.
You might have seen on Facebook (I am not on Facebook but Hospice is), I am still providing 30 minute phone check-ins for anyone looking to touch base, so please pass along to anyone you might think would benefit. In terms of my regular counselling for TFN, I have only had a handful of my TFN clients take up the offer of doing a phone session and others have shared emails and texts. It seems most folks prefer to wait to meet in person again. I heard that there might be sanitized space for folks to video conference from, I think that would be helpful. Below is how to connect with me, additionally BC is also offering free appointments with psychologists: https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/covid -19-resources
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] Please check the actual website for clarity
Financial Supports in Response to COVID-19 - Eligible households with dependents can Last Updated: April 23, 2020 - Funding for critical receive up to $500 per month services is increased by $1.7 billion to support: Eligible households without dependents can Health care pressures due to the COVID-19 outbreak; receive up to $300 per month Social services and vulnerable populations; Housing and The supplement is paid directly to landlords shelter programs; First Nations Health Authority
B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers Applications for the supplement are open on The B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a one- the BC Housing website time $1,000 payment to people whose ability to work has been affected due to COVID-19. BC Temporary Rental Supplement (BC-TRS) B.C. residents who receive the new federal Canada Program www.bchousing.org/bctrs Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are eligible, including people who have run out of employment B.C. Student Loans Starting March 30, 2020, insurance (EI) benefits and now qualify for the CERB B.C. student loan payments are automatically People will need to state that they have filed or will file a frozen for six months. 2019 B.C. income tax return to complete the application Monthly Bills for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers
The CRA has up-to-date guides on how to file your taxes quickly online BC Hydro rates have been reduced by 1%, Online applications for the one-time payment will open effective April 1, 2020. BC Hydro residential May 1, 2020 customers who have lost their job or are unable to work as a result of COVID-19 will receive a bill Climate Action Tax Credit - A one-time enhancement to credit of three times their average monthly bill the climate action tax credit will be paid in July 2020 for This credit does not have to be paid back moderate to low-income families: Eligible customers can apply for bill relief until An adult will receive up to $218.00 (increased from June 30, 2020 $43.50) Small businesses in BC Hydro’s small general A child will receive $64.00 (increased from $12.75) service rate category forced to close due to People need to file their income taxes to be eligible for COVID-19 can have their power bills forgiven the B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit The CRA has up-to-date guides on how to file your for electricity used between April and June taxes quickly online 2020, with no repayment required Customer Assistance Program Customers Renters, Homeowners and People Experiencing experiencing job loss, illness or lost wages Homelessness - Funding for housing supports due to OVID-19 can access grants up to $600 are increased to ensure people can maintain their housing to pay their hydro bills through the Customer in the event of job or income loss. Crisis Fund B.C. has halted all new and active evictions, except under exceptional circumstances ICBC - Customers on a monthly payment plan Annual rent increases are frozen who are facing financial challenges due to COVID- A temporary rent supplement is available (TFN Housing Manager can assist our members with 19 may defer their payment for up to 90 this who reside in a rental unit for Tla-o-qui-aht) days with no penalty text
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected]
Food Box Delivery & Seafood Distribution Issuance of food boxes will normally occur on Wednesday's (subject to change) at the MICC and Tyhistanis Heath Center (social distancing is mandatory).
At Tyhistanis watch on social media for your road group to be called, and make your way to health center. At Opitsaht watch for post to be made to go over to MICC. Elders boxes will be delivered and those who have. serious health conditions.
Please take a clean tote/box/laundry basket for your items, as well containers for dry goods, and sealed bag for meats (when available). If you have extra please feel free to share with your family or neighbor. Port Alberni - Food hamper deliveries are twice a If you have questions on this process at anytime week. Call 250-723-6913 to arrange for deliveries. please contact Naomi or Allison at 250.725.3335 Food bank services: Meals are served Monday – Saturday: Seafood Distribution does occur in community and away from home. Please watch social media B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers for this and contact office to have your name on The B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide the list. Friends and family please help us by a one-time $1,000 payment to people whose ability contacting members away from home. We will to work has been affected due to COVID-19. work together to ensure the is date and locations are announced in advance. B.C. residents who receive the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are Post Secondary (Canada) - We are proposing eligible, including people who have run out of the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) employment insurance (EI) benefits and now that would provide support to students and new qualify for the CERB graduates who are not be eligible for the Canada People will need to state that they have filed or Emergency Response Benefit or Employment will file a 2019 B.C. income tax return to complete Insurance or unable to work due to COVID-19. the application for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers This benefit would provide $1,250 per month for Online applications for the one-time payment will eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible open May 1, 2020 students with dependents or disabilities.This benefit would be available from May to August 2020. Check their website for updates: https://www.canada.ca/en/department- finance/economic-response-plan.html EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected]
Nuu-chah-nulth Mental Health
Vina Robinson Manager 250-724-3939 250-735-3509 Margaret Bird Clinical Supervisor 250-724-3939 250-726-8142 Jennifer Gallic Office Coordinator 250-724-3939 250-720-5624 Stan Matthews Training/Prevention Coordinator 250-724-3939 250-731-6645 Jolene Anker Mental Health Benefits Clerk 250-724-5757 Richard Watts Resolution Health Support Worker 250-724-3939 250-720-1994 Daisy Elliott Resolution Health Support Worker 259-724-3939 250-720-1736 Lisa Watts MMIWG Family Support Worker 250-724-3939 250-720-1731 Joe Tom Sr. Quuasa Wellness Worker 250-724-3939 Janis Jonasen Harm Reduction Coordinator 250-724-3939 250-720-1249
SOUTHERN REGION (Port Alberni)
Kim Erickson Acting Quuasa Coordinator 250-724-3939 250-720-7882 Ruby Ambrose Regional Coordinator 250-724-3939 250-735-0711 Ina Dick Quuasa Receptionist 250-724-3939 250-731-5494 Dave Zryd Clinical Counsellor 250-724-3939 250-720-5999 Donna Brown Clinical Counsellor (Part-time) 250-724-3939 250-735-7730 Irene Robinson Quuasa Outreach Wellness Worker 250-724-3939 250-720-9735 Howard Morris Quuasa Wellness Worker 250-724-3939 250-720-1622 Lee Lucas Jr. Quuasa Wellness Worker 250-724-3939 Maureen Knighton Quu%asa Urban Wellness Worker 250-724-3939 250-720-1527 Donna Lucas Child and Youth Counsellor 250-724-3939 250-731-7671 Melinda Sinclair Child & Youth Counsellor 250-724-3939 Marla Kjernisted Child & Youth Counsellor 250-724-3939 Gina Amos Harm Reduction Outreach Worker 250-724-3939 250-731-5900
CENTRAL REGION (Tofino)
Michael McCarthy Regional Coordinator 250-725-3367 Ann Marshall Quuasa Wellness Worker 250-725-3367 250-726-5370 Bev Dorward Quuasa Wellness Worker 250-725-3367 Daye Cooper Clinical Counsellor 250-725-3367 Cathy Komjathy Clinical Counsellor 250-725-3367 Alyssa Fleishman Child and Youth Counsellor (Part-time) 250-725-3367 250-266-0497 Suzanne Wetzer Child and Youth Counsellor (Part-time) 250-725-3367 Danielle Serge Child and Youth Counsellor 250-725-3367 Kevin Hawker Child and Youth Counsellor 250-725-3367
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] (Picture by Darlene Frank) There is security at each community to - please stop and check in with each post. Be kind, there has been reports at the regular update meetings that people are being rude, just driving through or not stopping all together.
This is meant to ensure that if the virus does come into the community we can work with Health Officials to assist with Contact Tracing Please cooperate with them. If indeed you have issues contact Elmer at 250.726.8281 If residents want to Ucluelet Senior Secondary - Please drop off assist at the entrances please let Elmer know. completed assignments by noon on Thursday's Is your trip Essential or Necessary - if not stay (same locations) and new assignments will be home. distributed the same day. Regular return to classrooms unlikely in B.C. until September (Premier) Regularly check in with your student teacher, We will continue with the following schedules for especially if they require additional supports or you local Elementary & High School as a parent require support - or if you need supplies - discuss the challenges with the teacher. You can Wickaninnish Elementary: drop off all as well contact myself or Darlene to pass along completed assignments to #48 Muuchinink Rd by messages or assist. noon at Tyhistanis, and at Opitsaht to Darlene Please contact Iris [email protected] if Frank's home. Tuesday's new assignments will be your home requires a laptop (for students delivered to communities registered in school before COVID-19 closure)
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] From Canada for Parents with Children Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) We are providing up to an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for 2019-20. This will We will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 mean approximately $550 more for the average weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers who family.This benefit will be delivered as part of the have lost their income due to COVID-19. The CERB is scheduled CCB payment in May.Those who already available to workers who meet all of the following receive the CCB do not need to re-apply. conditions: live in Canada and are at least 15 years old Special Goods & GST stopped working because of COVID-19 or are We are providing a one-time special payment starting eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits April 9 through the Goods and Services Tax credit for have not voluntarily quit their job low- and modest-income families.The average additional had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application. benefit will be close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.There is no need to apply for On April 15, we announced changes to the eligibility this payment. If you are eligible, you will get it rules to: automatically. Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB. First Nations Small Business (Canada) Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are We announced up to $306.8 million in funding to unable to undertake their regular seasonal work help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, because of COVID-19. and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that Extend the CERB to workers who have recently offer financing to these businesses. exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job because of COVID-19. The funding will allow for short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions through An online questionnaire will help us direct you to the Aboriginal Financial Institutions, which offer financing service option that best fits your situation (i.e. and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits or and Métis businesses. not).Do not apply for the CERB if you have already applied for EI. Apply for the CERB These measures will help 6,000 Indigenous-owned businesses get through these difficult times. You can also apply over the phone: 1‑800‑959‑2019 or 1‑800‑959‑2041text Financial support for Indigenous businesses will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Métis capital corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] Contact Information Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Main Line Tla-o-qui-aht Counselors 250.725.3350 toll free 1.888.425.3350 Deb Botting 250.726.8790 [email protected] Tyhistanis Health Centre 250.725.3335 or toll (Add Deb on Facebook) free 1.855.725.3335 Tara Souch email [email protected] Opitsaht Main Line 250.725.3233 NTC Teechuktl Mental Health Services Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) Cathy Komjathy – Clinical Counsellor Elmer Frank, EOC Chair 250.726.3842 (Call or 250.735.3367 Text) [email protected] Alyssa Fleshman - Child and Youth Health Thomas George, Council/ EOC Counsellor 250.726.6159 250.725.0209 or 250.534.9051 (only in emergency) Ann Marshall – Quu’asa Wellness Worker Naomi Seitcher, EOC Community Services 250.725.5370 Manager Ph# 250.725.3335 Bev Dorward – Quu’asa Wellness Worker [email protected] 250.725.3367 Allison Howard, Social Development and Patient Travel/ EOC [email protected] Vancouver Island Crisis Line – 1-888-494-3888 Bruce Frank, EOC/ Public Works Manager Kuu-us Crisis Line – 1-800-588-8717 250.726.4054 [email protected] Norine Messer, EOC/ Capacity Building All COVID-19 procedures and protocols put in Coordinator 250.735.4111 place by the EOC will be communicated through Saya Masso, Tribal Administrator/ EOC regular live updates (Mon-Friday weekends as [email protected] necessary) on social media (Facebook) and written Hazel Curley, EOC/ Opitsaht Intake bulletins. 250.735.3233 Joe Curley Jr. EOC/Council TFN Facebook group page: Tla-o-qui-aht Barb & Dan Audet EOC Emergency Management Team Covid-19 – [email protected] please join this group for up to date information Iris Frank, EOC [email protected] Wednesday's are set aside as a Questions 250.726.3842 (cell) and Answers (Q&A) after the update live feed. Joe Martin, EOC/Council Corine Martin, EOC/ Council 250.725.3335 We are aware not everyone has social media. We Corine. [email protected] ask as an EOC that when you check in with your Ivy Bell, EOC/ Housing housing@tla-o-qui- family members who may not be on Facebook, aht.org direct line 250725.3248 please pass along as much information as you can Nora Martin, EOC/ Health 250.725.3335 as it is shared with members on social media – [email protected] (prescription pick up) please we are asking for your help. John Williams EOC/First Responder Norman Thomas Opitsaht First Responder Each day the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau Wilson David Opitsaht First Responder does an update at 8:15am please watch this, Eric Seitcher EOC/PW Foreman Opitsaht along with listening to updates from Dr. Marshall, Andrew Jackson EOC/Fisheries from Tofino General Hospital on our local radio. · EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CHAIR - ELMER FRANK Contact 250.726.8281 (Call or Text) email: [email protected] Housing Manager Message COVID 19 and restrictions - Tla-o-qui-aht Tenants with rental agreements Tla-o-qui-aht Housing and Emergency Management Team has been in receipt of many complaints on disruptive tenants and their visitors, an increase in drinking and partying in the units at all hours throughout the communities.
Please be reminded that if you hold a tenancy agreement of a Tla-o-qui-aht unit, you are liable for all your occupants and guests of your household. If you or a guest/visitor of your unit is reported as being disruptive / or committing criminal acts within the Tla-o-qui-aht communities, this will be noted in your tenancy file which will negatively impact your tenancy. Currently we are undertaking a strict monitoring process to ensure community safety, this includes ensuring the safety and protection of Tla-o-qui-aht members and assets (housing units) during these very trying times.
Community members please be reminded that if you are a witness to disruptive, or unsafe activity in the community, it is important to call the RCMP immediately. If it’s a severe emergency call 911. Otherwise for a general report of disruptive behavior call Elmer Frank 250.726.8281, or Thomas George at 250.534.9051 or 250.725.0209. Tla-o-qui-aht is working alongside the RCMP to ensure community safety of its members. Please be diligent in reporting these situations as you see it.
Its extremely important that you take information first hand to the RCMP - if you are the direct witness to any situation. Additionally, if you are in receipt of information related to a disruptive home or incident kindly forward your information to our office by the following methods below. All information received is confidential, but it does allow us to appropriately act and carry out the next steps. Ivy Bell – Housing Cell 250.725.3248 / Email: [email protected] Saya Masso – Tribal Administrator 250-725-2597 / Email: [email protected]
Lastly, if you have changed/modified the occupants in your home, you must also update your occupancy listing at the office. By not doing so, you are also in violation of your tenancy agreement. We use these occupancy listings to manage our occupancy count on the units that are assigned to TFN members. Therefore, if you are housing or boarding other guests /additional people, you are responsible for reporting and updating this information with TFN Housing as it occurs.
If we do not have an accurate occupancy list, this could result in poor circumstances when or should we have to account for each person in the community in an evacuation situation. For insurance purpose’s we also must demonstrate that we are NOT overcrowding homes as well, so this is also considered a safety matter.
If you are uncertain of what your tenancy agreement states, please reference your original tenancy agreement you received. An “occupant” is classified as a person who is in your unit over 20 continuous days. A guest/ visitor only stays under 20 days. During these times of COVID 19 pandemic, guests or visitors are prohibited.
Finally, violations will be addressed throughout this pandemic period and tenants will be formally addressed when it is deemed safe to do so, in the meantime formal violations will be delivered by email or other communication methods. Everyone be safe and we look forward to seeing everyone once it is safe to do so. Regards, Ivy Bell - Housing Manager