First Call

The 2025 BC Child Poverty Report Card is out today. And we find that poverty is deepening for BC families. firstcallbc.org/2025-child-pov…

No gifts for single mothers in Canada’s Spring Economic Update;url=policyalternatives.ca/news-research/…

First Call support age restrictions on Social Media to protect children and youth under 16 from online harms. You can sign an open letter to PM Carney in support of legislation here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

Vancouver Sun vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/… via @VancouverSun

The Province of BC has declared today "Child Care Provider Appreciation Day". As part of "Child Care Month" we recognize and celebrate the dedication of all early childhood educators & child care staff who create safe, nurturing environments for children around BC.

Vancouver Sun vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/… via @VancouverSun

Applications are open for @FCSSBC 's Youth Education Bursary. Get up to $2,000/year for post-secondary studies in human and social services. Open to youth in and from care. Apply by May 11, 2026 at bit.ly/3P7PA3T #YouthInCare #PostSecondary

This MRI study on young kids just exposed something terrifying: They scanned the brains of 60 children aged 3–5 — including 5-year-old Rose — and found interactive screen time is causing measurable loss of white matter in their developing brains. Even just 2 hours a day is linked to impaired neural connectivity, language, and literacy development. Professor Mike Nagel (neuroscientist and father) said his first reaction was simply: “Wow… I was not anticipating seeing anything like that.” We’re physically changing children’s brains before they even start school — and the damage is visible on scans. This one actually unsettled me. I’ve always suspected too much screen time was bad, but seeing real white matter loss in toddlers hits different. Parents of little ones — has this kind of research changed how much screen time you allow?

Early Childhood Educators of BC gathering May 7-9: Thriving in Kinship: Inspire. Uplift. Celebrate ❤️ecebc.ca/news-events/co…

Tomorrow is 'International SpankOut Day,' in support of the repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code, a legal defense for the use of physical force against children. @CCRC_CCDE along with @KidsRightsCa have defined the issue and provide more info here: tinyurl.com/bdfw63eh

Is a foster home shortage changing how some of B.C.’s most vulnerable children are cared for? ctvnews.ca/vancouver/arti…

Vancouver Sun vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/… via @VancouverSun

Talk to Me, Play with Me, Carry Me video - #mywellbeingstartswithyou youtu.be/WeeoOlXcGAo?si… via @YouTube

Hear from our very own Morna Ballantyne, as she calls for the protection of the $10aDay child care program. Urge PM Carney to keep the government’s $10aDay child care promise: childcarenow.ca/letter #KeepTheChildCarePromise

BC 2026 Budget commentary from @FCSSBC @https://fcssbc.ca/news/budget-2026-supporting-children-youth-and-families-work-still-ahead

In a cost of living crisis, families are depending on the federal government to follow through with their promise on $10aDay child care. Urge Prime Minister Carney to keep the government’s child care promise: childcarenow.ca/letter #KeepTheChildCarePromise

Today @Parents4CC joined @Child_Care_Now calling for @PattyHajdu @PaulCalandra & all provinces to re-commit to #10aDayChildCare and fund a solution to the waitlist crisis, including fair wages for educators & more spaces. cbc.ca/news/politics/…

Looking for an on-demand opportunity to hear @mbrussoni & I talk about the research supporting #riskyplay plus our top tips for creating conditions that support risky play in schools? We’ve recorded a session for this year’s @IPAUSA_PLAY virtual conference! 🎉

ICYMI: As of Dec 1/25, couples who are both on disability assistance can now receive the same support allowance as they would if they were two single people. Good policy change. news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025S…