Barb Kirby. BC Community Response Networks

Barb is a regional mentor for the BC Community Response Networks.  She had 15 years experience navigating the health care system on behalf of her parents.

She is a consultant with the districts of Vancouver and Richmond.  Her job is to pull together the service providers in the health care sector for the elderly.  Both faith based and community services.  She is a champion for seniors.  She especially wants to know about abuse of seniors so she can do something about it.

There is lots of needs in her communities.   They have a grant of $1.4 million from the government to work with.  She works for Coastal health to police the community.  They often use Community Centers as a base.

They have 15 groups working in their area.  The focus right now is on 5 or 6 groups who are looking for elder abuse.

June 15th is set aside for World Awareness day for elder abuse.    Sometimes this is self abuse.

They also are working with Frist Nations groups where the need is strong.  They are very value based.

You can dial 211 which is government help line To provide access to community, government and social services through quality information and referral.

The speaker was thanked by Teddie.