Vernon > Interior > CRNs > Provincial Community Response Network

Vernon/Lumby
Community Response Network

Contact Information

Elaine Gallacher
CRN Coordinator
Tel: 250-558-4192
Fax: 250-558-4140
E-mail: etcconsulting@shaw.ca

Isolation, living in poverty, or being labeled “old” or “mentally disabled” can make anyone vulnerable to abuse or neglect. It’s estimated that more than 10% of seniors in BC today experience financial abuse and another 5% of older British Columbians living in private dwellings experience some form of abuse at the hands of family members. For people with disabilities, the numbers are even larger. The risk of abuse is 1.5 times greater and over 70% of women with disabilities have experienced abuse (B.C. Association of CRNs).

Background Information

The Adult Guardianship Act which came into effect on February 28, 2000 empowered the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC to designate certain agencies, providing them with the mandate to investigate situations of abuse or neglect. In Vernon, the Designated Agencies are Interior Health, the RCMP and the Ministry of Children and Family Community Living Services.

The Act has also empowered the Public Guardian and Trustee to support the development of networks, known as Community Response Networks (CRNs). However, the legislation does not give these networks specific mandates or responsibilities. Our growing understanding of the roles played by Community Response Networks continues to emerge over time, and builds upon the experiences and learning of the CRN groups all over BC.

What is a Community Response Network?

A Community Response Network is a network of individuals, groups and agencies who work together at the community level to promote a coordinated response to adult abuse, neglect or self-neglect. A collaborative approach to coordinate the community’s results in:

Increased community and professional awareness of adult abuse and neglect
Increased commitment to address abuse and neglect as: an issue that effects individuals, and an issue that effects communities
Increased understanding of the dynamics of abuse and neglect
Increased understanding of how to prevent, reduce and respond to abuse and neglect
Increased understanding of the legislated mandate of Designated Agencies, new tools for intervening, and offering support and assistance
Stronger relationships between the people and organizations that can provide support
Better coordination of supports and services, so fewer people “fall through the cracks”

Why a CRN?

Without a formalized mechanism to bring the community together as a unified body we will continue to rely solely on a few agencies and individuals who are already responding to abuse. Responding to, and eliminating abuse is a collective community effort and we must all participate. The CRN provides a foundation for the community to work together as a team on an equal playing field, sharing power and responsibility in order to:

Develop ways to coordinate and support their activities
Keep track of how the response is working
Implement an interdisciplinary approach to services and supports
Work on related activities such as community development, education, prevention and advocacy
Support Designated Agencies in carrying out their responsibilities
Develop consistent community protocols

What are Community Protocols?

Community protocols clarify how, over time, CRN participants will work together to address adult abuse and neglect. While people and organizations may change from time to time, the CRN remains an ongoing collaboration within the community. To maintain that continuity and commitment, it is helpful to understand the CRN concept, and the values and principles that are important to all CRN members. It is also helpful to provide some information about abuse, neglect and self-neglect, and the roles of individual members, as well as the nature of the relationships between CRN members.

Information was collected and developed into a Community Protocol Guide which is available in electronic form and can be requested from the Coordinator.

What does our CRN look like?

Our expectation is that our CRN will increasingly have representation from a variety of human service groups; that there would be diversity, inclusivity and community involvement including banks and other professional organizations, churches, non-profit groups, seniors, family and friends, all with a commitment to work together in an environment of trust, safety and confidentiality. We want to maintain meaningful participation with equal access for all. The principles that guide our actions reflect our community’s best practices and the Guiding Principles of the Adult Guardianship legislation including:

Self determination and choice
Most effective, but least intrusive support
Court as a last resort

Contacts for Reporting Abuse, Neglect and Self Neglect in the North Okanagan

If you are an employee of Interior Health you should follow the internal protocols for reporting abuse.
If you work outside Interior Health you can contact the following:

Designated Agency (Interior Health)

- Interior Health Elderly Service Team - Mental Health 549-5737

- Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) 549-5490

- Licensing 549-5779

RCMP

- Vernon 545-7171

- Lumby 547-2151

Community Contacts:

- Seniors Information and Resource Bureau (SIRB) 558-0040

- Community Law Office 545-3666

Provincial contacts:

- Public Guardian and Trustee 250-712-7576

- BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors 604-521-1235