Social Development

Social Development Mission Statement:

To create opportunities to make communities healthy, inclusive and sustainable.

Social Development Vision:

An inclusive holistic and culturally base social development system under First Nation jurisdiction and control that build healthy, safe and sustainable communities.

Detailed Description:

Income Assistance: The income assistance program vision is one in which individuals have access to a nationally consistent set of integrated programs that provide basic financial assistance, active services and social supports to enable them to improve their life chances, and strengthen self sufficiency and community participation.

National Child Benefit Reinvestment Initiative (NCB): The NCB initiative is one in which children and families benefit from complementary program supports that will strengthen their well being.

Family Violence Prevention: The family violence prevention program is culturally releveant and uses a collaborative approach to enhance and enrich programming to ensure healthy safe families and sustainable communities.

Training and Employment Support Initiative (TESI): The training and employment support initiative is intended to assist income assistance recipients in developing the skills they need in order to enter vocational training, educational programs, or employment.

Roberta Thomas, Income Assistance Coordinator

John Hook, Support Worker
I was born and raised in Edmonton, AB. I completed an undergraduate degree out of the University of Lethbridge, AB in 1995. My wife and I came to BC 5 years ago and have never regretted moving to a rural lifestyle.

My social work career has had me working with varying populations including, youth, adults and elders. Almost all of my work activities have had a life skills component supporting individuals in working towards health and wholeness. Most of these individuals experienced barriers such as learning and developmental disability, addiction, complex mental health issues, etc.

Using developed assessment skills I strive to meet people “where they are at” and to provide a pragmatic opportunity for change and growth. In the past 10 years my work focus has been around addiction, harm reduction, and personal empowerment. Empowerment happens when individuals have the tools to change their lives and the encouragement to do so.

Building relationships is the key to promoting individual success. I enjoy taking on the role as coach and encouraging resiliency and growth of self-esteem as individuals make positive changes. My hope is to assist and advocate for Splatsin Band members, to promote healthy lifestyles and support systems within the community.

I have just begun my tenure here at Splatsin, but I encourage any community members that require support to feel free to contact the Social Development Department. I hope to be able to assist you with your goals and needs as outlined within our policy or to be able to make necessary referrals to appropriate programs and service providers so that you can maintain or achieve the balance we all desire in life and community.