B.C. boosts payments for children in foster, kinship, out-of-care placements

Foster parents and others who support vulnerable children and youth will soon have more assistance with monthly costs, with an increase to payments that help cover food, clothing and transportation costs for children and youth in their care.

coming,” said Julie Holmlund, president, BC Foster Parents Association.

“We are ecstatic for the caregiving community and the impact this will have for families.”

Katie Robertson, executive director, Parent Support Services Society of BC, said: “This rate lift will mean

“Boosting payments for kinship, outof-care and foster caregivers is crucial to making sure they can continue to deliver the safe and caring homes children and youth need to develop, thrive and lay the foundation for healthy adult lives,” said Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development. “We depend on caregivers to offer the bedrock of safety and security needed for children and youth to move from vulnerability to strength. Boosting payments is part of working together toward a brighter future for these children and youth.”

B.C. is increasing monthly payments for children in foster, kinship and out-of-care placements by as much as 47% to ensure some of the province’s most vulnerable young people and those who care for them will have the support they need to build safe, stable and happy futures. The per-day rate for caregivers providing respite and relief care is also increasing by as much as 36%.

“We are overjoyed – increases for foster caregivers is the best news we could have had. It’s been a long time so much to the extended family and community members who have brought a child into their care. These families give so much – love, stability, community and connection – to support these children and youth to succeed, and that dedication is being recognized in this increase.”

Supports for caregivers in B.C. were unchanged from 2009 to 2019. Budget 2023 provides $84.9 million to the Ministry of Children and Family Development to boost monthly caregiver rates. The increase will benefit approximately 7,800 children, youth and their caregivers.

Jen, a foster parent of 18 years, said: “I am grateful that the government has acknowledged the importance of the work we do by taking this amazing step to show that we are valued and supported. The increase will help me meet the support needs of my children, such as respite time, extra support time, specialized dental appointments, inclusive summer camps, etc. It will alleviate the financial strain that is a part of meeting all of their unique needs.”

Home ownership: What to consider when purchasing a new home

(NC) Purchasing a new home is exciting. Whether it takes a few weeks or a few months to find the perfect place, if you are in the market for a new home, you’ve likely done the math on home ownership. This includes monthly mortgage payments, utility bills and property taxes. However, it doesn’t stop there.

On top of these costs and regular maintenance, owning a home also means that you need to be prepared for repairs and unforeseen expenses. Therefore, it’s important to consider the following when you’re purchasing a new home:

Plan for the cost of property maintenance

It’s important to take good care of your property. After all, it’s likely one of the biggest investments you will ever make. In addition to regular tasks such as mowing your lawn and switching out a lightbulb, your home will eventually need a fresh coat of paint or a new roof. Costs can add up – and often require immediate attention – so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and create an emergency fund that can cover these expenses.

Understand product and appliance warranties

Whether your home is a new build or new to you, it’s important to know the status of existing product and appliance warranties in case a repair is required. If you’re purchasing new appliances, consider a manufacturer’s warranty program when making a purchase decision. Look for brands that offer extended warranties and out-of-warranty programs. For example, LG offers an out of warranty program with a flat rate for labour and parts.

Work with licensed trades and technicians

Hire licensed trades and technicians to complete work around your new home. For example, call a licensed electrician to install a new light fixture or a plumber to change a leaky faucet. If you have a home appliance or electronics that requires repair, it’s important to look for a manufacturer-approved and authorized service provider.

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jIvn-gfQf: ajLfdI GulftIaf bfbf QMmx isMG

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Kflsf skUl ‘c pMjfbI mfstr lwgy s[ hrbMs isMG ijnHF ny Bog smyN sfry pRbMD kIqy sn bolidaF hoieaF ies gwl qy qswlI pRgtfeI ik jo ipafr siqkfr iehnF nUM ipMz vfilaF vwloN imilaf Aus nUM dyK ky mn bVf KusL huMdf hY. jdoN pRDfn jI ibmfr sn qF s[ pfKr isMG ny sihj pfT KolH ky jdoN AuhnF ny ardfs kIqI qy prmfqmf awgy ieh bynqI kIqI, “srdfr QMmx isMG dI sfzy ielfky nUM bhuq loV hY. ies leI ies nUM qMdrusq kr dyh aqy ies dI QF mYnUM lY jf.” iesy qrHF bfbf dfn isMG jo iehnF dy cfcf lgdy sn, svyry AuWTidaF jo sLbd Auh sB qoN pihlF mUMh ivcoN kwZdy sn iehI huMdy sn, “pRmfqmf myrI Aumr QMmx isMG nUM lf dy. mYnUM BfvyN huxy aYsy vkq cuwk lY.” lgfqfr AuhnF dI syvf leI afAuNdy rihxf, pqf lYx vfilaF df qFqf lwgf rihxf AuhnF dI hrmn ipafrqf df sbUq hn. aKIr ivc gurnfm isMG qIr ny ies duwK dI GVI ivc phuMcy lokF df DMnvfd kIqf pr Auh DMnvfd krn qoN pihlF ieh sLbd duhrfAux qoN nf Buwly ik ijs qrHF cfcf jI dI dosqI prqfp isMG kYroN nfl sI, Auh cfhuMdy qF AuhnF koloN koeI vI kMm lY skdy sn aqy aijhf koeI bMdobsq kr lYNdy ijs nfl afpxy leI shUlqF lY ky pirvfr nUM vDIaf jIvn ijAux df hIlf kr lYNdy aqy afpxy nyVly BfeI-BqIijaF nUM vI sYWt krvf lYNdy. pr iehnF ny aijhf koeI Xqn nf kIqf. ieMnf kihMdy hoey sB df DMnvfd krdy hoey bYT gey.

5 Expert Tips For Healthy And Safe Travel Abroad

(NC) There’s nothing worse than spending your hard-earned holiday sick in a hotel room. To make sure you can enjoy your trip – and avoid bringing something home that could hurt people, animals or the environment – follow these pro tips:

Practice good hygiene. Washing your hands frequently, using hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands and avoiding touching your face are the easiest ways to avoid spreading germs and reduce your risk of getting sick.

Get your vaccines early. Health experts recommend specific immunizations when visiting certain countries, so check to see what you need. Give yourself plenty of time to get all your doses before you leave, as some vaccination schedules take months to complete –including for hepatitis A and B, which are present in much of the world.

Be cautious with what you eat. To avoid foodborne illnesses when travelling, be careful with street food, under- cooked food and unclean water. Ensure your meals are cooked thoroughly and avoid food that has been sitting out. Wash produce, respect local customs and communicate allergies to staff to lower your risk of getting sick from contaminated food while abroad.

Build in time for resting. It can be tempting to create a fully packed schedule to get the most out of your trip, but that can leave your body tired and vulnerable to catching a virus that’s circulating. Take breaks on busy days and make sure you get enough hours of sleep each night.

Don’t pack restricted foods. Some goods are banned from Canada to protect us and our animals. Food products can carry diseases. This includes pork, which could be contaminated with the highly contagious African swine fever. While this pig disease doesn’t infect humans, it can spread to pigs in Canada and seriously harm farmers’ livelihoods. If you’re travelling, don’t pack any pork products.

NAME CHANGE

I, Ranjit Kaur Alias Jito Sekhon residing at 2209 Beaver St, Abbotsford V2T 3C9, wants to change my legal name from Ranjit Kaur Alias Jito Sekhon to Ranjit Kaur Sekhon with immediate effect.

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