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Youth need to have a place and be welcomed in their community, including having options to volunteers and contribute in ways that are important to them. All children and youth need friendly communities where they are encouraged to participate and that support them and their families as they grow.

First Call is a signator to an open letter to Senators in support of repealing section 43 of the criminal code which excuses the physical "correction" of children.

New Safe and Caring Communities Resources

Amanda, Savannah, Rowen and Serena: From Loss to Learning (2008)
BC's Representative for Children and Youth reports on the deaths of four children from Northern BC involved with the child protection system. The report recommends strengthening practice and supervision in assessing child safety and encourages learning from preventable deaths.

Broken Promises: Parents Speak Out About BC's Child Welfare System (2008)
This report from Pivot Legal Society is based on interviews with parents, service providers, social workers, and lawyers. It depicts a provincial child welfare system that is in crisis and is failing to support families in caring for their children in the home.

Improving the Mental Health of Young Children (2007)
Prepared for BC Healthy Child Development Alliance by Dr. Charlotte Waddell, this paper describes the high prevalence of mental health disorders in children, the shortfalls in current programs and services, and the impact on children and society.

Economic Security Project Research on Safe and Caring Communities (2006)

First Call is a partner in the Economic Security Project, a join initiative of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Simon Fraser University. The document provides an overview of the findings from the Economic Security Project that focus on public policy affecting safe and caring communities for children and families in BC.