PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Annual Report of The Social Welfare Branch of the Department of Health and Welfare for the Year Ended March 31 st 1957 Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in right of the Province of British Columbia. 1958 Victoria, B.C., December 2nd, 1957. To His Honour Frank Mackenzie Ross, C.M.G., M.C., LL.D., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. May it please Your Honour: The Annual Report of the Social Welfare Branch of the Department of Health and Welfare for the year ended March 31st, 1957, is herewith respectfully submitted. E. C. F. MARTIN, Minister of Health and Welfare. Office of the Minister of Health and Welfare, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. Social Welfare Branch, Victoria, B.C., December 2nd, 1957. The Honourable E. C. F. Martin, Minister of Health and Welfare, Victoria, B.C. Sir,—I have the honour to submit the Annual Report of the Social Welfare Branch for the year ended March 31st, 1957. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E. R. RICKINSON, Deputy Minister of Welfare. Social Welfare Branch, Victoria, B.C., December 2nd, 1957. E. R. Rickinson, Esq., Deputy Minister of Welfare. Sir,—I submit herewith the Report of the Social Welfare Branch for the year ended March 31st, 1957. J. A. SADLER, Director of Welfare. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE (SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH) Hon. E. C. F. Martin Minister of Health and Welfare. SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF E. R. Rickinson Deputy Minister. J. A. Sadler Director of Welfare. Miss Amy Leigh Assistant Director of Welfare. J. McDiarmid Departmental Comptroller. Miss Marie Riddell Provincial Supervisor, Family Division. Miss Ruby McKay Superintendent of Child Welfare. E. W. Berry Chairman, Old-age Assistance and Blind Persons' and Disabled Persons' Allowances Board, and Cost-of-living Bonus. Dr. J. C. Moscovich Director of Medical Services. Mrs. E. L. Page Chief Inspector of Welfare Institutions. Miss E. S. Wyness Provincial Supervisor, Social Service Department, Divisions of Tuberculosis Control and Venereal Disease Control. F. G. Hassard Superintendent, Brannen hake School for Boys. Miss W. M. Urquhart Superintendent, Girls' Industrial School. J. M. Shilland Superintendent, Provincial Home. E. L. Rimmer Administrator, Region I. R. Talbot Administrator, Region II. R. I. Stringer„__: Administrator, Region HI. J. W. Smith Administrator, Region IV. V. H. Dallamore Administrator, Region V. Miss Mary K. King Administrator, Region VI. TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I.—General and Regional Administration- General Assistant Director of Welfare. Regional Administration— Region I Region II Region III. Region IV-. Region V_ Region VI. Part II.—Divisional Administration- Family Division— Social Allowances Mothers' Allowances Family Service Child Welfare Division Old-age Assistance, Blind Persons' Allowances, and Disabled Persons' Allowances Board, and Supplementary Assistance Medical Services Division Part III.—Institutions— Industrial School for Boys___ Industrial School for Girls. Provincial Home, Kamloops Welfare Institutions Board... Page . 9 . 11 . 14 _ 15 . 17 . 18 . 18 19 22 25 33 37 44 64 69 74 77 79 Part IV.—Medical Social Work Services— Social Service Department, Division of Tuberculosis Control 86 Part V.—Accounting Division 87 Report of the Social Welfare Branch PART I.—GENERAL AND REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION GENERAL Again during the past year the staff of the Social Welfare Branch has made every effort to help the individual who is in need in the Province. The generic casework approach has been used, and the service given was preventive, rehabilitative, and remedial. Whether or not the individual was living in unorganized or organized territory, he received the same care and understanding. The municipalities have continued, through their social welfare offices, to give the some good service. Many projects and problems have faced the Social Welfare Branch through the year, and research has been necessary. Miss B. W. Snider, research consultant, has been extremely active in compiling data and information so necessary for efficient operation of the service, while Mrs. C. Mackenzie, office consultant, has continued to improve office methods and procedures. Meetings of Planning Council, Regional Administrators, and the Manuals Committee continued and have proved most productive. Mr. G. C. Watkins, civil defence liaison officer, continued his lecture programme to local groups throughout the Province in connection with civil defence welfare matters. Population increases have made further demands on our services, and the following table gives a comparison of case loads for the years 1955, 1956, and 1957:— Numerical and Percentage Comparison of Case Load by Major Categories as at March 31st for the Years 1955, 1956, and 1957 Category 1955 Number Per Cent 1956 Per Cent 1957 Number Per Cent Total for Province- Family Service Social Assistance Blind Persons' Allowance.. Old-age Assistance- Old Age Security bonus and health services Disabled Persons' Allowance Child Welfare Health and institutional 61,506 1,728 11,692 440 9,240 31,797 147 5,337 1,125 100.00 2.80 19.00 0.71 15.02 51.70 0.23 8.67 1.82 62,764 1,640 11,610 451 8,853 32,494 959 5,669 1,088 100.00 2.61 18.47 0.72 14.04 51.77 1.53 9.03 1.73 60,383 1,443 9,537 661 8,302 32,865 1,203 5,656 716 100.00 2.39 15.79 1.10 13.75 54.42 1.99 9.37 1.19 For the years 1955 and 1956 the case-load figures show the total of family units and shared services. In January, 1957, the method of compiling case-load statistics was changed, so that for the year 1957 the case-load figures denote only the family units and (or) individuals—that is, cases—and do not include shared services. This change accounts for the decrease in total case load. The new method was adopted on the basis of the study and recommendations of the Statistical Returns Method Committee, which has been giving consideration to all statistical findings within the Branch. S 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA The Social Assistance figures include both Mothers' Allowance and Social Allowance cases. The health and institutional returns include tuberculosis, psychiatric, collections, hospital clearance, Provincial Home, Provincial Infirmary, and welfare institutions services. The combined percentages of Old-age Assistance and Old Age Security bonus and health services show 66.72 per cent for 1955, 65.81 per cent for 1956, and 68.17 per cent for 1957. Although there was a slight decrease in these numbers in 1956, an increase has taken place in 1957. This increase is due partially to the increase in population and also to the relaxing of certain eligibility regulations, which has resulted in a larger group of individuals being included for these old-age benefits. The co-operation fully extended by the municipal officials and the officials of other agencies was appreciated by our Branch members. Respectfully submitted. J. A. Sadler, Director of Welfare. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 11 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WELFARE The task of building a capable staff is the responsibility of the office of the Assistant Director of Welfare. This has been an educational as well as an administrative task from the outset. The basic policies developed by our administration have been accepted by an understanding Civil Service Commission. They rest upon the requirement of professional training for all staff employed in the field service. The schools of social work have been unable to provide us with the numbers of professionally prepared people we have needed. Their inability is partly the result of an acute general man-power shortage, and the result, too, of a " changed world." The " changed world " is the post-war world, rather than depression and war, which carry their unique threats to family life. We live to-day in a period of inflation, and this is proving as great a threat to the family as the other cataclysms ever were. Our Province is growing rapidly in population and wealth, and with these changes, problems increase for the individual and the family. The need for social workers to help to decrease the threat of broken homes, mental illness, delinquency, crime, and alcoholism is obvious to all enlightened people, but the supply of trained people is as small as the problems are large. This agency is meeting the man-power shortage by a sharp increase in the numbers given in-service training. If all of the latter had professional training, our complement of social workers to-day might be expected to keep the social upheavals of our people from becoming worse; with more trained people we could give the quality and quantity of service that is so desperately needed to build a stronger group of self-supporting citizens. The Social Welfare Branch has done its share in past years to build professional standards and to train, well but incompletely, the people without professional qualifications it has employed. The latter earn our sincerest respect; they merit recognition by the profession and the schools of social work. They ask only for the opportunity to qualify themselves as adequately as possible for the task. This question of education for social work may seem ill-placed in an annual report, but it is the single most pressing problem facing our Branch to-day. We have the legislative authority, the public goodwill, and as able direction as most public agencies in Canada. We have to have competent staff to use all this wisely and well. The statistics which follow show the number of staff employed by the Branch. Measured against the total number of people served, they reveal the weight of responsibility each member of our staff assumes. That people are being helped to become independent; that old people are being helped to find comfort and usefulness in their declining years; that children are being helped in their own homes, in foster homes, and adopting homes; that the communities of our Province accept and respect all our many services are the result of the staff's devotion to their work. The following table shows the number of all staff (clerical, professional, and technical) employed by location as at March 31st, 1957:— Office of Deputy Minister of Welfare 2 Director of Welfare 4 Field service 306 Medical Services Division 12 Child Welfare Division 19 Provincial Home 31 Brannen Lake School 64 Girls' Industrial School 32 Old-age Assistance Board 74 Family Division 6 Total staff 550 S 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA The following table gives the total professional staff employed and comparative figures of university and in-service trained men and women at the end of the fiscal years 1956 and 1957, as well as the number receiving formal training, joining, and (or) resigning from the Branch during the past fiscal year:— Men Women University Trained In-service Trained University Trained In-service Trained Total Total staff, March 31st, 1956 Psychiatric Division transferred to Department of Provincial Secretary, April 1st, 1956 55 14 43 99 28 51 248 42 Number receiving formal training during fiscal year.- 41 43 71 +2 51 —2 206 Staff appointed, April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 Resignations, April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 41 6 12 43 11 12 73 23 22 49 39 18 206 79 64 Total staff, March 31st, 1957- — 35 42 74 70 221 The following table gives a breakdown of total professional staff according to their training as at March 31st, 1957:— Men Women Total Master of Social Work — Second year of training but M.S.W. thesis incomplete- Bachelor of Social Work Social Service diploma- One year at School but no diploma or degree Two years at School but no diploma or degree- In-service trainees now taking course In-service trained. 10 11 21 3 1 4 14 32 46 3 24 27 5 4 9 1 1 1 2 3 41 69 110 Totals.. 77 144 The above figures, referring to the fiscal year 1956-57, do not tell the whole story. Besides the appointments and resignations, there were thirty-five transfers and numerous staff problems of greater or lesser importance to be handled daily. The activities planned for the staff's continuing development were as follows:— The Annual Supervisors' Institute conducted this year for one week in Vancouver, when the programme was planned as an examination of the supervisors' heavy job, with a view of defining their responsibilities more clearly. The two-week orientation of newly appointed supervisors was extended to include supervisors having some experience. This provides an opportunity for administrative and divisional policies to be clearly interpreted—necessary because of the progressive changes in policies, and because of the difficulties of communication between head offices and distant field offices. A total of sixty-seven people were given in-service training by the Training Division in six introductory and three final group sessions. Three people were granted leave of absence to obtain training at the School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, two of this number receiving Branch bursaries. Delegates to various social-work conferences, always a learning experience for staff, numbered nineteen. Regional staff meetings were conducted in all regions, the programme devised by the staff to provide a learning experience in areas of the work in which the staff felt they needed particular help. Planning for next year's regional meetings was also begun, the Training Division co-ordinating this total-staff effort. • REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 13 Circulation of library books was higher than usual, and important new books having a bearing upon our work were added. The Assistant Director attended national and international meetings as follows: Canadian Conference on Social Work, Edmonton, lune 18th to 22nd, 1956; A.P.W.A. West Coast Regional Conference, Portland, October 15th to 17th, 1956; Canadian Welfare Council Conference, Mont Gabriel, December 10th to 13th, 1956; and visited district offices in Region I (Duncan and Nanaimo), Region II (Burnaby, Coquitlam, C.S.S.D. (east unit), North Vancouver, and West Vancouver), Region IV (Cranbrook, Creston, Fernie, and Nelson), Region V (Prince George (district supervisors' and regional staff meetings)), and Region VI (Abbotsford, Langley, and Surrey). The Girls' Industrial School Committee, appointed to recommend plans for building and staffing the new School, held sixteen meetings under the chairmanship of the Assistant Director, and the School will be opened early in 1958. Throughout this busy year the team efforts of the administration and staff and the steady sense of purpose, direction, and growth have provided professional satisfactions of a high order. Respectfully submitted. (Miss) Amy Leigh, Assistant Director of Welfare. S 14 BRITISH COLUMBIA REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION REGION I I beg to submit the annual report of Region I for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 1957. In Region I there has been no change in the geographical boundaries. The region includes Vancouver Island, near-by islands, and a northern strip of the west coast of the Mainland. From figures compiled in the last census, it is estimated there are approximately 245,000 persons within the boundaries of this region. About half are concentrated in the southerly part—that is, the Victoria, Saanich, and Gulf Islands areas. About 4 to 5 per cent of these people require services of our Welfare Branch. The regional social welfare staff is comprised of thirty-two social workers and four supervisors. This is an increase of one social worker over the previous year. This was necessitated by the pressure of work in the Municipality of Saanich. It was through its request that we recognized the case load was heavy and a new worker was needed. The case load for this region as of March 31st, 1957, was 10,519. This figure includes all categories. As of last year, there were seven administrative offices (five Provincial and two amalgamated). These offices are located as follows:— Provincial: Courtenay, Alberni, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Victoria district. Amalgamated: Victoria City and Saanich Municipality. The following table shows the distribution of the case load by category of services among the seven offices:— Analysis of Case Load by Major Categories of Services in the District Administrative Offices of Region I as at March 31st, 1957 Category Alberni Courtenay Duncan Nanaimo Saanich Victoria City Victoria District Total 31 88 1 10 107 323 108 12 64 1 172 8 20 116 531 208 19 31 1 112 8 8 121 444 147 15 58 4 323 14 27 242 1,085 228 17 3 106 9 20 119 965 27 5 10 392 30 53 379 2,115 29 40 176 11 27 159 1,010 88 42 229 Mothers' Allowance 19 1,369 Blind Persons' Allowance.. Disabled Persons' Allowance Old-age Assistance 81 165 1,243 6,473 Child Welfare.... 779 161 Totals 680 1,139 887 1,998 1,249 3,013 1.553 ! 10.519 Recorded statistics will disclose that this region has had a very heavy turnover in cases. Problems in this region are identical to those faced in other regions. These are: Care of the aged—completion of applications and yearly reports; protection of children; juvenile delinquency; adoptions; finding of foster homes and the placing and visiting of children in these homes; also demands made upon us for financial aid and the requests for counselling services. The detail of operation in working the mechanics of these services requires interviewing, recording, and positive action as indicated. All these actions are time consuming and have taxed our staff to the utmost. We were rather fortunate in this region in that two new establishments were brought into existence for the benefit of aged people. These were the Fort Private Hospital at Comox, which accommodates 30 persons, and the new addition to the boarding home operated by the Sisters of the Love of Jesus at Colwood, which accommodates 90 patients (this boarding home is familiarly known as St. Mary's Priory). REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 15 It is important to mention that the legislation recently enacted by the Federal Government and approved by the Provincial Government gave the Indians (even though they still reside on the reservations) the same status in regard to pension allowances as all other citizens. In conclusion, may I thank my members of the Branch in this region for their conscientious endeavour to meet the needs in their areas and for their co-operation with myself as their administrator; also I would like to acknowledge the co-operation given by the other agencies, private and voluntary, who have been very helpful. Respectfully submitted. E. L. Rimmer, Regional Administrator. REGION II I beg to submit the following report of the activities of the Social Welfare Branch in Region II for the fiscal year 1956-57:— The population increases in this area of the Province have continued, and with the expanding industrial development have created many complex problems for social agencies. More emphasis has been placed on working with families rather than the individual, and this emphasis has meant more demand for trained personnel to help these families understand their own problems. Movements of families of meagre incomes have become greater with the lure of better jobs on the pipe-lines, in the oilfields, and the increase in manufacturing plants in the cities. The transient family often finds itself outside local eligibility requirements for financial assistance from public or private agencies, and policies have to be stretched to meet emergent situations for these transients. Following is a listing of total case loads for the region by categories as of March 31st, 1957:— Case Load by Categories as of March 31st, 1957 Category of Service Number Family Division— Family Service 335 Mothers' Allowance 157 Social Allowance 3,413 Divisional total .•_ 3,905 Old-age Division— Old-age Assistance and Blind Persons' Allowance 3,915 Old Age Security bonus 15,525 Disability Allowance 519 Divisional total 19,959 Child Welfare Division— Adoption homes pending 155 Adoption homes approved 69 Children in adoption homes 212 Children in Care 269 Foster homes pending 74 S 16 BRITISH COLUMBIA Child Welfare Division—Continued Category of Service Number Foster homes approved 184 Protection of children -. 33 Children of unmarried parents 302 Special child services 13 Divisional total 1,311 Other divisions—Welfare institutions, tuberculosis, etc. 167 Regional total 25,342 No comparisons can be made with last year's figures because of the change in computing statistics during the year. During the fiscal year twenty-one Boards of Review were held at the request of the Director of Welfare to deal with applicants for Social Allowance who had requested a hearing. This office is appreciative of the time and assistance given by the Board members; Dr. Stewart Murray, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver City; and the respective Vancouver City representatives. The Regional Administrator continued to act as a Provincial Government appointed Board member on the following agency boards: Alcoholism Foundation of British Columbia, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Narcotic Addiction Foundation of British Columbia, and Disaster Committee of the Canadian Red Cross Society. The Regional Administrator continued to act as a member of the Board of the Old-age Assistance Division. The Assistant Regional Administrator continued to act as chairman of the several tribunals held during the year in which several methods of establishing proof of age for applicants of Old-age Assistance were explored. The largest percentage of the case load in Region II is that portion which is administered by the amalgamated municipal offices. This is understandable because of the heavy population density of the Greater Vancouver area. The following breakdown of welfare offices in this region illustrates the heavy responsibilities which are carried by the municipal administrators:— Amalgamated offices: Municipality of Burnaby, Municipality of District of Coquitlam, New Westminster City, Municipalities of City and District of North Vancouver, Municipality of Richmond, Vancouver City, and Municipality of West Vancouver. District offices: New Westminster district office, Vancouver district office, and Westview district office. Per capita municipalities: Municipality of Delta, City of Port Coquitlam, City of Port Moody, and Municipality of Powell River. Co-operation from the various municipalities has been of the highest level, and this has made it possible to give a more efficient service to families in the community. During this fiscal year the Social Welfare Branch has had the fullest co-operation from the private agencies. Community organizations and service clubs have offered their help in all districts. All other government departments at the Federal, Provincial, and municipal level have willingly assisted us with our problems. Many individuals have offered us their help in meeting our day-to-day problems. To all who have assisted us in meeting our responsibilities, a grateful acknowledgment is given. Respectfully submitted. R. Talbot, Regional Administrator. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 17 REGION III I beg to submit the following report on the activities of the Social Welfare Branch in Region III for the fiscal year 1956-57. Interim census figures released by the Federal Government show that in 1951 there was a population of 117,240, and this had risen to 147,346 by 1956, an increase of 34.2 per cent. There was a slight change in the regional boundaries between Regions III and IV. This was made possible by an increase in staff of one social worker in the Kelowna office. In addition to raising the level of services to the people in that area, it was possible to extend the boundary to include McCulloch, Carmi, and Beaverdell along the Kettle River valley. Relocation of staff was made in the Vernon-Salmon Arm area when the social worker covering Revelstoke area was moved from the Vernon district office to the Salmon Arm district office. This was to enable him to be closer to Revelstoke and thereby render a more frequent service. It was necessary to add the services of a part-time stenographer for the Salmon Arm office. The following is a comparison of total case loads in the region as at March 31st, 1956, and March 31st, 1957:— Comparison of Case Load by Categories for Fiscal Years 1956 and 1957 and Percentages of Increase or Decrease in Region III Category of Service Mar. 31, 1956 Mar. 31, 1957 Percentage Increase (+) or Decrease (—) Family Service Mothers' Allowance- Social Allowance Blind Persons' Allowance Disabled Persons' Allowance- Old-age Assistance- Old Age Security bonus- Adoption pending Adoption approved Child in adoption home- Foster home pending Foster home approved- Child in care _ Protection — Unmarried parent Special child service- Welfare institutions- Health and institutional service- Totals . 15 1,233 62 130 992 1,153 112 100 103 85 214 344 30 93 9 103 35 313 1,248 4,337 1,090 138 7,126 14 1,184 71 157 922 3,175 97 74 115 62 213 387 29 69 7 42 74 272 1,198 4,325 1,053 116 6,964 -13.1 -4.0 -0.2 -3.4 -15.9 -2.3 The above figures indicate that there was a 4-per-cent decrease in Social Allowance cases. However, there is actually a 4-per-cent increase in the number of people in receipt of Social Allowance. This is accounted for by the fact that a Social Allowance case may involve two or more persons who are members of the same family. In closing, I would like to thank all those who have interested themselves in the welfare of the people in their community and who have supported the Social Welfare Branch staff in their efforts to help people to help themselves. Respectfully submitted. R. I. Stringer, Regional Administrator. S 18 BRITISH COLUMBIA REGION IV I beg to submit the following report on the activities of the Social Welfare Branch in Region IV for the fiscal year 1956-57. The population in this region continues to increase, but at a somewhat slower rate than the rest of the Province. The interim figures from the 1956 Census indicate that the population was 98,028, an increase from 89,367 in 1951, being a 9.7-per-cent increase. There was a slight change in the regional boundary on the west side of the region, when some fifteen cases in the McCulloch-Beaverdell-Carmi area were transferred to Region III, to be serviced by the Kelowna district office. This should provide better services, as the Kelowna district office is closer than Grand Forks is, and the clients concerned travel more frequently to Kelowna. Following is a comparison of total case loads in the region as at March 31st, 1956, and March 31st, 1957:— Comparison of Case Load by Categories for Fiscal Years 1956 and 1957 and Percentages of Increase or Decrease in Region IV Category of Service Mar. 31, 1956 Mar. 31, 1957 Percentage Increase (+) or Decrease (—) 173 15 1,054 1,069 51 119 689 2,329 3,188 39 33 86 40 143 193 20 31 2 587 33 61 94 5,111 167 13 878 891 52 107 582 2,339 3,080 61 33 57 44 137 186 11 22 3 554 41 47 ■ 88 4,780 3 4 — 16.6 Disabled Persons' Allowance — -3.3 Special child service . .... -5.6 Totals -6.3 6 4 Throughout the year the staff of this region had the fullest co-operation from the Federal, Provincial, and municipal groups. Service clubs, charities, and other organizations in all districts have been a great help. Through all this co-operation and support, our work has been made easier and our clients have received better service. Their assistance and understanding are hereby gratefully acknowledged. Respectfully submitted. R. I. Stringer, For J. W. Smith, Regional Administrator. REGION V I beg to submit the following annual report of the activities of the Social Welfare Branch in Region V for the fiscal year 1956-57. General growth in economic activity and in population was continuous throughout the year, and two new offices were opened to meet the needs of our communities. These J REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 19 offices were established in Burns Lake on luly 3rd, 1956, and Vanderhoof on March 18th, 1957. Nevertheless, for the first time the case load showed a decrease in total numbers. This may be seen in the following comparison of case loads for the region by categories, as of March, 1956, and March, 1957. Comparison of Case Load by Categories of Region V, as at March 31st, for the Years 1955 and 1956 Category of Service Mar. 31, 1956 Mar. 31, 1957 Family Service 330 234 Mothers' Allowance 9 8 Social Allowance 1,230 1,077 1,239 1,085 Blind Persons' Allowance 95 97 Old-age Assistance 522 498 Old Age Security bonus 1,403 1,351 2,020 1,946 Disabled Persons 34 59 Adoption homes pending 108 78 Adoption homes approved 34 36 Children in adoption homes 134 116 Foster homes pending 74 76 Foster homes approved 191 229 Child in care 318 389 Protection of children 72 49 Children of unmarried parents 99 67 Special child service 8 7 Welfare institutions 17 Health and institutional services 128 1,038 1,047 26 58 145 84 Totals 4,806 4,455 The staff, both social work and clerical, is to be commended for the job done, and I wish to take this opportunity to express to them my appreciation. Respectfully submitted. V. H. Dallamore, Regional Administrator. REGION VI I beg to submit the annual report of the activities of the Social Welfare Branch in Region VI for the fiscal year 1956-57. The past fiscal year saw further increase in services given within the region, as shown by the additional 345 individuals and families who received service. However, due to a change in statistical accounting, the total regional case load of 7,851 cases as at March 31st, 1957, showed a decrease of 215 cases. There were 57 more children cared for in foster homes during the year than in the previous one, making a total of 582 children cared for. Three hundred and thirty-eight children remained in foster homes on March 31st, 1957. There was an increase of 35 in the number of children S 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA placed in adoption homes, and at the end of the year 106 children were in adoption homes on probation. The distribution of services remained approximately the same, with financial assistance under Federal legislation accounting for 66.5 per cent; financial assistance under the Mothers' Allowance and Social Assistance Acts, 17.8 per cent; services to families other than financial, 2.6 per cent; and services to children, 11.5 per cent. These figures indicate a slight trend toward emphasis on the financial assistance services. Despite difficulties which had to be faced, the staff of the Social Welfare Branch and amalgamated municipalities within the region, with the help of the many community resources who always co-operated so willingly, continued to give the service which the community had come to expect. To do this it was necessary for staff to expend themselves beyond the call of duty on many occasions. Annual Statistical Report, 1956-57 Case Load as at March 31st, 1957 •a a « . in a o c u 0 u V. u 5 0 H -cn 0 U u C o GO CTJ <L> U U tU Q u M a _ & O u HP Abbotsford Chilliwack City — — 1,584 785 789 828 874 2,991 1,658 789 844 843 948 2,984 7 74 4 55 15 74 Haney _ Regional total, 1957 Regional total, 1956 ' 206 244 1,405 1,521 5,228 5,271 906 876 106 154 7,851 8,066 7 222 215 Increase or decrease -38 -116 -43 30 -48 | . | —- | — | -215 Intake, April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 to T) a (A a 1 Q ft U u O O ra -a •a *■£ p u UU o VI a V u a o O u p 45 71 86 33 43 130 214 211 158 110 97 501 406 168 173 218 194 764 164 168 128 84 89 308 94 r 776 33 17 14 20 18 64 862 635 559 465 441 1,767 1,658 789 844 843 948 2,984 2,520 1,424 1,403 1,308 1,389 4,751 95 63 152 98 71 Chilliwack City Haney. . Langley Surrey ... 134 Regional total, 1957 , . Regional total, 1956 _ 408 388 1,291 1,317 1,923 1,756 166 248 4,729 4,485 8,066 12,795 479 -134 Increase or decrease 20 | -26 | 167 165 -82 | 244 | 345 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH Children in Care S 21 Mar. 31, 1956 Intake Total Number in Care, 1956-57 Mar. 31, 1957 Abbotsford Chilliwack City Chilliwhack Township- Haney Langley — Surrey... 53 33 31 51 80 80 Regional total, 1957 Regional total, 1956 Increase ( + ) or decrease (—).. 328 328 29 46 42 23 34 80 254 223 +31 82 79 73 74 114 160 582 525 +57 52 27 42 48 64 105 338 328 -10 Children in Adoption Homes Mar. 31, 1956 Intake Total Number in Adoption Homes Mar. 31, 1957 Abbotsford Chilliwack City Chilliwhack Township.. Haney Langley Surrey 16 15 19 10 5 22 Regional total, 1957 Regional total, 1956 Increase ( + ) or decrease (—)-. 87 97 -10 29 26 17 8 12 47 139 104 +35 45 41 36 18 17 79 236 233 +3 20 16 17 10 12 31 106 97 +9 Respectfully submitted. (Miss) Mary K. King, Regional Administrator. S 22 BRITISH COLUMBIA PART II.—DIVISIONAL ADMINISTRATION FAMILY DIVISION I wish to present the report of the Family Division, which covers the services rendered to families and individuals by the Social Welfare Branch under the provisions of the " Social Assistance Act," the " Mothers' Allowances Act," and the Family Service programme, for the fiscal year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957. SOCIAL ALLOWANCES SECTION Case Load The case load for the fiscal year under review showed the usual seasonal variations, with the highest number in April, 1956, and the lowest number in September, 1956. Thereafter the figures climbed to January, 1957, and then decreased for the last two months of the year. This will be seen in the following table:— Table I.—Case Load and Total Number of Recipients on a Monthly Basis Heads of Families Dependents Single Recipients Total April, 1956 May, 1956 June, 1956. July, 1956 August, 1956 September, 1956„ October, 1956 ..... November, 1956- December, 1956-. January, 1957 February, 1957 March, 1957 3,593 3,452 3,286 3,189 3,142 3,049 3,068 3,174 3,332 3,568 3,597 3,695 9,445 8,776 8,385 8,109 7,902 7,750 7,812 8,349 8,720 9,569 9,551 9,397 6,258 6,022 5,843 5,646 5,556 5,404 5,405 5,498 5,740 6,084 5,986 6,029 19,296 18,250 17,514 16,944 16,600 16,203 16,285 17,021 17,792 19,221 19,134 19,121 As the next table will show, the case load of recipients for March, 1957, has decreased by approximately 3.4 per cent from that for the same month in the two preceding years of 1955 and 1956. Some of the reasons which may account for this might be the greater number of persons receiving Disabled Persons' Allowance, relatively high employment opportunities, and an acceleration in our use of the Provincial vocational training programme, which has enabled numerous handicapped and non-disabled persons receiving assistance to receive vocational training and to obtain employment. Table II- —Case Load and Total Number of Recipients Mar., 1955 Mar., 1956 Mar., 1957 3,688 9,475 7,372 3,730 9,761 6,346 3,695 9,397 6,029 11,060 9,475 10,076 9,761 9,724 9,397 20,535 19,837 19,121 Of the total recipients of social assistance in the Province in March, 1957 (that is, 19,121), the totals according to regions are as follows:— REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 23 Table III.—Regional Totals of Individuals in Receipt of Assistance in March, 1957 Provincial District Office Organized Territory (Municipal) Region I— Alberni Courtenay Duncan Nanaimo .. Victoria - 61 Alberni City 40 286 43 101 49 357 Central Saanich — 12 241 Cumberland - 22 33 63 23 Lake Cowichan Village — 17 Nanaimo _ 215 North Cowichan 79 Oak Bay 18 90 10 205 Victoria 684 Region II—■ New Westminster Vancouver Westview 1,046 50 157 46 1,603 West Vancouver . Westview Village 2,649 Burnaby 516 Coquitlam 224 Delta New Westminster North Vancouver City North Vancouver District Port Coquitlam Port Moody Richmond — Vancouver 129 476 142 145 88 34 260 3,956 71 42 Region III— Kamloops Kelowna - Penticton . Salmon Arm Vernon 253 482 313 284 148 275 6,083 Armstrong . Coldstream Enderby Glenmore _ Kamloops .. Kelowna Merritt North Kamloops Oliver Peachland Penticton Princeton Revelstoke Salmon Arm City Salmon Arm District Spallumcheen Summerland Vernon 6,336 13 19 20 17 228 104 32 101 17 7 180 23 35 21 72 36 54 74 1,053 Region IV— Cranbrook Creston Fernie Grand Forks Nelson New Denver . Trail 428 237 44 78 488 85 119 Castlegar Cranbrook Creston Village Fernie Grand Forks Greenwood — Kaslo _ Kimberley . Nelson _ Rossland Slocan Trail _. Warfield 2,555 42 103 36 32 40 16 1,479 598 2,077 S 24 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table III.—Regional Totals of Individuals in Receipt of Assistance in March, 1957—Continued Provincial District Office—Continued Region V— Burns Lake Pouce Coupe Prince George Prince Rupert Quesnel Smithers Terrace Williams Lake Region VI— Abbotsford Chilliwack . 100 387 531 83 79 148 93 144 1,565 102 189 291 Organized Territory (Municipal)—Continued Dawson Creek Fort St. John Prince George Prince Rupert Quesnel Smithers Chilliwack City Chilliwhack Township Hope Kent Langley Langley City . Maple Ridge . Matsqui Mission District . Mission Village . Pitt Meadows Sumas Surrey 122 16 140 186 72 39 575 2,140 123 404 55 12 272 90 294 235 176 34 39 57 1,282 3,073 3,364 19,121 The following are approximate percentages of the total case load by regions as at March, 1957: Region I, 14 per cent; Region II, 33 per cent; Region III, 13 per cent; Region IV, 11 per cent; Region V, 11 per cent; and Region VI, 18 per cent. The distribution of recipient case load between organized and unorganized areas in the above figures shows relatively little change this year, with approximately 68 per cent living in municipal territory and approximately 32 per cent living in Provincial territory. A comparison on the basis of legal residence as defined in the " Residence and Resonsibility Act " shows the following:— Table IV.- —Legal Residence of Social Allowance Recipients Mar., 1955 Mar., 1956 Mar., 1957 11,790 10,882 8,745 j 8,955 10,299 8,822 Totals 20,535 19,837 19,121 It will be seen from the above table that approximately 54 per cent had municipal residence and approximately 46 per cent had legal residence in Provincial territory. Following is a statement of expenditures made by the Social Welfare Branch during the fiscal year under review for Social Allowances, medical services, and other charges: — REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 25 Table V.—Expenditures by the Province for Social Allowances, Medical Services, etc., for Social Welfare Report Fiscal Year 1954-55 Fiscal Year 1955-56 Fiscal Year 1956-57 1. Cases who are the responsibility of a municipality (80 per cent paid by the Province) 2. Cases who are the sole responsibility of the Province (100 per cent paid by the Province) 3. Repatriation, transportation within the Province, nursing- and boarding-home care (other than tuberculosis), special allowances and grants 4. Emergency payments, such as where a family may lose its home by fire or similar circumstances 5. Municipal and Provincial Cases— (a) Tuberculosis, boarding-, nursing-, and private-home cases (b) Transportation of tuberculosis cases (c) Comforts allowances for tuberculosis cases 6. Hospitalization of Social Assistance cases1 Hospitalization of Social Assistance cases1 7. Administration and operation of project and pavilion for Japanese at New Denver _ 8. Medical services and drugs .'_ Totals _ $2,588,455.80 2,241,850.58 1,262,185.21 39,048.25 444,882.01 4,341.91 16,025.30 $6,596,789.06 20,597.31 53,816.85 1,947,832.23 i.619,035.45 $2,626,760.81 2,350,451.69 1,420,208.51 52,891.24 402,850.12 2,638.57 11,991.16 19,319.36 $2,633,636.62 2,521,431.47 1,505,034.90 37,163.45 327,432.07 2,868.16 8,924.75 13,927.70 i,887,111.46 38,600.41 2,208,252.70 $9,133,964.57 $7,050,419.122 61,990.65 _2,240,710.53_ $9,353,120.30" 1 Effective April 1st, 1954, hospitalization costs (including co-insurance) for Social Allowance cases paid by British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service. Expenditures under above heading includes only short-stay costs for Social Allowance cases, Provincial Government share of hospitalization costs for immigrants, and children's hospital pilot plan. Effective April 1st, 1955, these hospitalization costs paid from Social Allowance Vote. 2 Reconciliation with Public Accounts:— , Gross expenditure for Social Allowances as per Public Accounts __ $7,247,832.41 Less credits (excluding amount chargeable to Government of Canada) 197,413.29 $7,050,419.12 MOTHERS' ALLOWANCES SECTION For the same period the Province has received from the Federal Government under the Federal-Provincial Unemployment Assistance Agreement $2,299,894.48. Some of the developments in the Social Allowance during the fiscal year under review are as follows:— (1) Effective April 1st, 1956, the special dental-care programme for dependent children was extended to include children under 12 years of age. (2) In September, 1956, a revision of the Schedule of Exemptions and Deductions on other income, originally implemented in April, 1955, became effective. This revision was the result of more than a year's study of the first schedule, based on changes in allowance rates and the necessity of some amendment and modification of policy and practice defined in the former schedule. (3) The annual Christmas bonus was paid to recipients of Social Allowance and Mothers' Allowance, amounting to $5 for each family group and $2 for each single recipient. " Social Assistance Act " and Regulations During the year one city municipality and four village municipalities were incorporated, making a total as follows: Cities, 37; districts, 30; and villages, 54. Of this total of 121 municipalities, eighty-two now participate in the administration of social assistance under the provisions of the " Social Assistance Act " and regulations. Of these eighty-two municipalities, a total of eighteen have established their own social welfare departments under section 6, subsection (b), of the regulations to the Act, S 26 BRITISH COLUMBIA while the remaining sixty-four purchase the service from the Province under the provisions of the same section, on a per capita basis. As provided in section 13 of the regulations to the Act, a total of twenty-seven Boards of Review were established during this fiscal year. There were no amendments to the " Social Assistance Act" or regulations effected in this fiscal year. Sponsorship for Physical Rehabilitation During this year, too, the Social Welfare Branch sponsored fifty-two resident trainees (ten of whom later received out-patient training) and twenty-one out-patients for remedial training in the G. F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre and the Canadian Arthritic and Rheumatism Society Medical Centre. Total was seventy-three persons. Of these seventy-three persons, sixteen were suffering from arthritis and fifty-seven were suffering from other forms of physical disability. From the point of view of residence and responsibility in accordance with the " Residence and Responsibility Act," there were fifty-one municipal responsibilities and twenty- two Provincial responsibilities. Since 1940 two factors have had an important effect on the case load. First was the increase of employment opportunities for women during the war years. The second was the implementation of the "Social Assistance Act" in 1945, which offered an alternate form of assistance and, since 1948, equal financial benefit. These two factors have been joined by others: the increasing cost of living, against which the allowance gives only a basic income; the rise in wages and salaries; increased facilities for vocational training and retraining; and the growing belief and acceptance that the mother should have the opportunity for employment, part time at least, when her full-time presence is no longer required in the home. Between 1940 and 1946 the case load decreased by 49 per cent to 905. The following table will indicate the trend in the case load since 1946:— Table I.—Comparative Statement of Case Load As at March, 1947 863 As at March, 1948 751 As at March, 1949 684 As at March, 1950 643 As at March, 1951 569 As at March, 1952 503 As at March, 1953 470 As at March, 1954 426 As at March, 1955 393 As at March, 1956 323 As at March, 1957 284 From these figures it will be noted that the case load has diminished by approximately 69 per cent since March, 1947. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 27 On a monthly basis the case-load figures for this fiscal year are as follows:— Table II.—Monthly Case Load, April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 Month Number of Allowances in Pay Number of Persons Incapacitated Husbands Mothers Children April, 1956 - 319 319 315 310 304 299 296 289 289 287 283 284 319 319 315 310 304 299 296 289 289 287 283 284 733 733 721 706 697 691 678 670 672 659 648 652 47 May, 1956 — 50 June, 1956 46 July, 1956 _ 46 August, 1956 45 September, 1956 October, 1956 November, 1956... December, 1956 44 45 45 45 January, 1957 44 February, 1957 42 March, 1957 42 S 28 BRITISH COLUMBIA The volume of applications and reapplications has risen very slightly, and the following table indicates how these have been dealt with:— Table HI.—Statement of Applications Considered and Decisions Made Applications pending as at April 1st, 1956 12 New applications received during year 59 Reapplications received during year 19 Total 90 Decisions— Grants 58 Refusals 14 Withdrawn by applicant 8 80 Applications pending as at March 31st, 1957 10 Total 90 Reasons for refusals-— Income in excess 1 Assets in excess 2 Other resources 1 Husband not totally incapacitated 1 Not legally married 1 Not legally separated 3 Mother unable to qualify under section 7 of the " Mothers' Allowances Act" 1 Not in Province continuously for three years prior to date of application 1 Property in excess 1 Only child left school 1 Earnings of older children in excess 1 Total 14 . Reasons for applications pending— Awaiting information re assets - 2 Awaiting information re other income 2 Decision pending 2 First investigation report not received 2 Awaiting further information 2 Total 10 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 29 During the year under review, ninety-seven allowances were cancelled for the reasons indicated in the following table:— Table IV.—Reasons for Cancellation of the Allowances Social Allowance preferable form of assistance 3 Mother deceased 1 Mother remarried 14 Left British Columbia 1 Moved, whereabouts unknown 1 Mother earning in excess 30 Mother ineligible under section 7 of the " Mothers' Allowances Act" 1 Mother employed and operating a car 1 Mother in G. F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre 1 Mother receiving a rehabilitation grant 1 Husband receiving a rehabilitation grant 2 Husband not totally disabled 7 Husband released from Penitentiary 2 Children removed from the home 1 Only child 18 years of age 4 Only child under 16 left school 1 Only child under 18 left school 7 Only child in hospital indefinitely 1 Earnings of dependent children 3 Older children maintaining 8 Unearned income in excess 4 Withdrawn 3 Total 97 Of the cancelled cases, the length of time each family had been in receipt of Mothers' Allowance is as follows::— Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Cases—24 16 4 15 67423 5 3 2 .___ 112 2 Total cases, 97. Average length of time on allowance, 4.88 years. Once again it is apparent that although some families have remained on the allowance for many years, the greater proportion, approximately 60 per cent receive the allowance for less than the average length of time. There is an increasing acceptance that once the children no longer need her full-time care, or other adequate and suitable plans can be made for them, the mother may be encouraged to seek employment in line with her training and capabilities or take vocational training to enable her to find suitable and satisfying work. Many mothers have expressed a sincere desire to do so because they say they do not wish to rear their children on a minimum standard of living, and because they believe economic independence adds strengths and satisfactions to family life which do not come with public assistance. Many mothers, too, look to the Mothers' Allowance not as a pension, but to bridge a gap of temporary need until the family can, from its own resources and efforts, proceed to economic independence. Following the previous Annual Report, the comparative table has been brought up to date, indicating the volume and activity in the case loads for the past ten years, and is given below:— S 30 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table V.—Movement in Case Load, 1947 to 1957 Volume Activity Year Held Over from Previous Year New Applications and Reapplications Total Grants Refusals Withdrawn Cancellations 1947 10 40 15 30 14 7 18 16 19 13 12 199 143 176 141 102 143 163 114 94 85 78 209 183 191 171 116 150 181 130 113 98 90 150 93 118 127 83 103 118 79 77 66 58 47 59 29 18 20 26 39 29 22 12 14 6 16 14 12 6 3 8 3 1 8 8 202 19481 205 1949 . - - . - 188 1950 165 1951 157 1952 169 10S3 151 1954- 1955 - 123 110 1956 - 136 1957 2 - 97 1 Corrected figure. 2 Ten pending applications as at March 31st, 1957 (.see Table III). As was pointed out last year, the largest percentage of refusals and cancellations was based on financial reasons, such as excess income, assets, or other resources. Other factors of ineligibility rested on the sundry qualifications defined in the " Mothers' Allowances Act" and regulations. Of the families who were in receipt of Mothers' Allowance as at March, 1957, the mother qualified under the following groupings, described as " status," in accordance with the specific definitions of eligibility in the Act and regulations:— Table VI.—Status and Number of Mothers and Dependents in Receipt of Allowance as at March, 1957 Status of Mother in Accordance with Eligibility Number of Children Qualifications Set by the Act 1 2 3 4 1 5 1 6 7 Total 51 1 3 7 3 7 4 4 1 65 6 4 4 5 6 12 39 2 2 2 2 1 4 4 23 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 182 11 8 Incapacitated husbands home - Incapacitated husbands away Incapacitated husbands O.A.S., O.A.A., B.P., and D.P.A. 18 6 18 2 16 22 Elder sister ' 1 Totals .. 81 102 56 35 4 3 3 284 From the above table the following figures are derived:— Table VII.—Number of Individuals for Whom Allowance Granted Mothers Husbands- Children.- 284 181 652 Total 954 1 This figure applies only to those incapacitated husbands who reside in the home and who are included in the Mothers' Allowance payment. In addition, it will be noted that there is a total of thirty-two incapacitated husbands in the mental hospital, out of the home, or in receipt of Old Age Security, Old-age Assistance, Blind Persons' Allowance, or Disabled Persons' Allowance. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 31 Costs of Mothers' Allowances The basic rate of Mothers' Allowances is set by legislation, unchanged since the first Act of 1920. Mothers' Supplementary Social Allowances are therefore necessary to make the maximum allowance payable to recipients of Mothers' Allowance equivalent to that paid to Social Allowance recipients. This supplementary social allowance is 100 per cent chargeable to the Province, as is the statutory Mothers' Allowance. Because of this it is necessary to present two financial statements to show total costs. It will be noted that although the case load has decreased, the Supplementary Social Allowance payment has increased. This is the result of the general increase, effective April 1st, 1956, of $5 per month for each single person or head of family and $2 per month for each dependent. Table VIII.—Mothers' Allowance Financial Statement for the Fiscal Year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 Amount of allowances paid as follows:— Month Amount of Allowance April, 1956 $14,592.33 May, 1956 14,082.93 June, 1956 13,891.59 July, 1956 13,705.53 August, 1956 13,626.23 September, 1956 13,120.56 October, 1956 12,730.07 November, 1956 12,925.65 December, 1956 12,996.00 January, 1957 12,822.30 February, 1957 12,672.43 March, 1957 12,602.93 $159,768.55 Reconciliation with Ledger Account in Controlling and Audit Branch: Amount advanced by Minister of Finance 1 $ 159,768.55 The books and records of the Director of Welfare respecting Mothers' Allowances for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 1957, have been examined under my direction. C. J. FERBER, Comptroller-General. S 32 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table IX.—Financial Statement of Supplementary Social Allowances Paid to Recipients of Mothers' Allowance (Vote 190) for the Fiscal Year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957. Amount of allowances paid as follows: Month April, 1956 May, 1956 June, 1956 July, 1956 August, 1956 September, 1956 October, 1956 _ November, 1956 December, 1956 Christmas bonus January, 1957 February, 1957 .. March, 1957 Amount of Allowance $14,494.67 14,281.22 14,023.86 13,803.87 13,589.38 13,297.33 12,825.38 13,107.72 13,271.02 1,445.00 12,605.72 12,475.47 12,353.57 $161,574.21 Reconciliation with Ledger Account in Controlling and Audit Branch: Amount advanced by Minister of Finance $161,574.21 The books and records of the Director of Welfare respecting Supplementary Social Allowances paid to recipients of Mothers' Allowance for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 1957, have been examined under my direction. C. J. FERBER, Comptroller-General. Table X.—Statement Showing per Capita Cost to the Province Fiscal Year Total Expenditures Population at June of Each Year Per Capita Cost to the Province 1954 55 . - $401,442.76 332,690.38 321,342.76 1,266,000 1,305,000 1,398,464 $0.32 1955 56 .25 1956_*7 .23 General Comments No amendments were made to the " Mothers' Allowances Act" or regulations. Once again, in an annual review it is apparent that this legislation providing a special categorical assistance has become outmoded in comparison with the wider and more flexible provisions of the "Social Assistance Act." The restrictions and prohibitions defined in the Act, based on residence, citizenship, and moralistic aspects, have no relation to financial need or a place in a modern social welfare programme. From both a municipal and Provincial point of view, such a programme represents a duplication in the administration of assistance throughout the Province. So long as the provision stands, however, it is understandably a resource used almost entirely by municipal administrations, as the following figures will show:— REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 33 Table XI.—Proportion of Applications and Grants in Organized Territory Total applications and reapplications received 78 Applicants residing in organized territory 75 Applicants having legal residence in organized territory 74 Total grants made during year 58 Recipients residing in organized territory 57 Recipients having legal residence in organized territory 55 Allowances in pay as at March 31st, 1957 284 Recipients having legal residence in unorganized territory 26 Recipients having legal residence in organized territory 258 Restrictive categorical assistance such as this should receive earnest study in relation to its effectiveness or the need for it. A far greater number of mothers and dependent children are in receipt of Social Allowance, which affords them equal financial and social benefits, and there is no reason to believe that a transfer to Social Allowance would cause any disadvantage to those mothers at present in receipt of Mothers' Allowance. It would in no way restrict the effectiveness of the over-all assistance programme in this Province. It is hoped that in the ensuing year such a study may be undertaken. FAMILY SERVICE SECTION In 1944 "family service" was a new term in public welfare in British Columbia. It was not, however, a new service, but rather one to which new emphasis was being given. It was further strengthened, by legislative definition and provision, with the implementing of the " Social Assistance Act" in 1945. This term is an over-all one which describes the general family casework service which this Branch offers to families outside of the two large urban areas of British Columbia. Whether or not they are in receipt of financial assistance, it is available to those who suffer from some aspect of social disability or disadvantage and who come to us for help. Not all can be helped by us, but our hope is restoration, in so far as is possible, of the individual or family to a happier and more satisfactory life. The family remains the important basic social unit, and our goal is to strengthen that unit by endeavouring to meet the individual needs of each family by employing our special knowledge of human behaviour and motivation, our best skills, and by an imaginative use of community resources. There is no financial statement possible for family service because personal happiness and satisfaction cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. The following table gives the monthly Family Service case load for the year under review:— S 34 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table I.—Total of Family Service Cases, April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 April, 1956 1,637 May, 1956 1,578 June, 1956 1,514 July, 1956 1,467 August, 1956 1,422 September, 1956 1,292 October, 1956 1,444 November, 1956 1,422 December, 1956 1,425 January, 1957 1,487 February, 1957 1,476 March, 1957 1,443 These are the families who came to us or were referred with problems of behaviour, relationships, or social maladjustment, and whom we endeavoured to help within the limits of our knowledge and skill. Other Services Family Allowances This Division also serves as a channel for requests from the Family Allowances Division of the Department of National Health and Welfare for reports concerning the use of or eligibility for Family Allowances. Table II.—Requests Received from Family Allowances Division, April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 Pending as at April 1st, 1956 2 Received during fiscal year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957, by months— April, 1956 6 May, 1956 4 June, 1956 6 July, 1956 6 August, 1956 6 September, 1956 4 October, 1956 7 November, 1956 10 December, 1956 6 January, 1957 4 February, 1957 9 March, 1957 12 — 80 Total requests received 82 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 35 These requests for reports were directed as follows:— Table III.—Referrals to District Offices and Other Agencies Referrals pending as at April 1st, 1956 29 Requests forwarded during fiscal year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957, by regions— Region I1 30 Region II1 21 Region III . 4 Region IV 3 Region V 17 Region VI 5 — 80 Total number of requests referred 109 1 Includes referrals to private agencies in Victoria and Vancouver. Table IV.—Referrals Completed within Fiscal Year, by Regions Region I _ Region II... Region III Region IV Region V _ Region VI 31 25 3 3 21 7 Total Total number of requests referred Referrals pending as at April 1st, 1957 90 109 19 Third-party Administration of Family Allowances During the year two cases were accepted for administration of the Family Allowance. In one case, only a single retroactive cheque was handled in this way. In the other, administration had been undertaken over a prolonged period while the mother was receiving hospital care. Administration was terminated in June, 1956. Old Age Security The Old Age Security Division of the Department of National Health and Welfare also requests our co-operation in a few cases in helping persons who are experiencing difficulties in completing their application for Old Age Security. S 36 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table V.—Requests Received from Old Age Security Division from April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 Pending as at April 1st, 1956 1 Received during fiscal year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957, by months— April, 1956 4 May, 1956 1 — 5 Total case load 6 Cases completed within fiscal year 6 Table VI.—Requests Forwarded during Fiscal Year April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957, by Regions Region III 1 Region IV 2 Region V 1 Region VI 1 Total number of requests 5 Pending as at April, 1956 1 Total 6 Table VII.—Reports Completed by Regions Region III 1 Region IV 2 Region V 1 Region VI 2 Total reports completed 6 Tribunals During this year only one request was received for the establishment of a tribunal. This was referred to Region VI. Conclusion Once again the Family Division wishes to express sincere appreciation and thanks to the social workers, district supervisors, and Regional Administrators, on whose unfailing help and efforts the success of the Branch rests in large measure. The Division wishes to express appreciation, too, to the municipal welfare departments, other departments of government, and the various private agencies, whose co-operation and advice have been so helpful and freely given during the year. (Miss) Marie Riddell, Provincial Supervisor, Family Division. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 37 CHILD WELFARE DIVISION I beg to present the annual report of the Child Welfare Division for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 1957. Table I.—Legal Status and Whereabouts of Children in the Care of the Superintendent as at March 31st, 1957 P.C.A. Wards J.D.A. Wards C.A.S. Wards O.P. Wards Before the Court S.C.W. Non- wards Total Whereabouts— 140 187 298 136 240 222 11 5 6 6 5 9 12 18 14 11 14 21 3 5 4 2 5 8 15 25 22 4 26 23 34 49 40 25 68 65 215 289 384 184 358 348 Totals 1,223 42 90 27 115 281 1,7781 Placed with a Children's Aid Society for special reasons— 55 16 20 2 3 4 8 1 3 29 13 13 91 37 V C.X., Victoria 39 Totals 91 5 — 12 4 55 167 In institutions— B.I.S. and G.I.S 8 t 4 _ 1 1 13 DaValla 5 P.M.H 5 6 Totals 23 4 ;. | 2 29 31 17 1 16 10 2 1 48 28 1,385 52 116 41 119 337 2,050 1 Maintenance required for 1,518. Table II.—Age and Legal Status of Children in Care of the Superintendent of Child Welfare as at March 31st, 1957 0-5 Months 6-11 Months 1-2 Years 3-5 Years 6-11 Years 12-13 Years 14-17 Years 18-21 Years Total P.C.A. wards _ 8 15 10 1 22 18 6 4 112 47 20 21 190 45 20 9 1 447 89 33 22 6 151 22 8 6 8 7 325 72 22 34 25 20 126 33 12 26 7 1,381 341 119 52 Wards and non-wards of Children's Aid Societies in care of Superintendent of Child Welfare 116 411 Totals... - 34 50 200 265 597 202 498 204 2,050 1 Maintenance paid for by other Provinces. S 38 BRITISH COLUMBIA The cost to the Provincial Government of maintaining children for the fiscal year was as follows:— Table III.—Cost of Maintaining Children Gross cost of maintenance of children in Child Welfare Division foster homes $800,297.49 Gross cost to Provincial Government of maintenance of children with Provincial residence in care of Children's Aid Societies 572,821.95 Gross cost to Provincial Government of maintenance of children with municipal residence in care of Children's Aid Societies 610,660.58! Gross cost of transportation of children in care of Superintendent 10,324.29 Gross cost of hospitalization of new-born infants being permanently planned for by Superintendent 21,258.00 Grants to sundry homes 1,300.00 Gross expenditure $2,016,662.31 Less collections and refunds 346,004.39! Net cost to Provincial Government $1,670,657.92 1 The Provincial Government now pays to the Children's Aid Societies 100 per cent of cost of care and collects 20 per cent from the municipalities. British Columbia's Centennial Year will give opportunity to the citizens of this Province to speak with pride of many accomplishments, and they need not be silent in the field of child welfare. Social legislation of a high order has been enacted to protect children, and the policies and practices of child-caring agencies in the Province reflect an unwavering concern on the part of citizens for children in need. BRITISH COLUMBIA'S NEW "ADOPTION ACT" The first and subsequent Protection of Children Acts were brought into being through the joint effort of Government and citizens, and the British Columbia "Adoption Act"—the most recent to be redrafted—is no exception. It is the result of a three-year study by a committee comprised of Government officials and a large number of lay and professional persons from many walks of life. Proclaimed on March 29th, 1957, the new "Adoption Act" is looked upon here and elsewhere as model in many respects. CHANGING CHILD WELFARE PRACTICE From the preceding tables, numbers I to III, several trends may be observed. There is a decrease in the number of children cared for by the three Children's Aid Societies as at the end of the fiscal year. The increase in the numbers cared for by the Social Welfare Branch, in the main, is due to the fact that most children needing care are being placed for adoption within each region. The age range of children in both Children's Aid Societies and Social Welfare Branch foster homes continues to show a healthy trend toward early permanent placement. Of the 2,050 children in the care of the Superintendent as at March 31st, 1957, the majority are over the age of 10 years and only eighty-four are under the age of 1 year. Many of these are already in permanent homes, and when certain legal technicalities are resolved or when some specific medical care is completed, they will be legally adopted by the foster-parents with whom they now live. ADOPTION DIFFICULT FOR CHILD PAST 6 YEARS OF AGE The number of children in all agencies between 6 and 11 years is a constant source of concern. Each year more from this age-group are being placed with adopting parents, J REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 39 but there are many whose experiences before coming into care make it well nigh impossible for them to accept the closeness of family life implicit in adoption. Their need and longing for parents is real enough, but many have not been—and may never be—able to give up the wish for their own family circle. This wish comes true for some children. During the year 164 from 101 homes were discharged from care as provided for in the " Protection of Children Act" because the Court was satisfied the parents or relatives were now able to provide for them. Workers were also able to recommend to the Court that seventeen boys and girls committed to care under the " Juvenile Delinquents Act" be returned to their own homes. Not all may be able to stay out of difficulty, but during their period in foster homes conscientious efforts were made by workers to help children and parents understand each other's problems better. FEW RESOURCES THIRTY YEARS AGO The desire to help, handed down by those small groups of citizens who formed the first Children's Aid Society over half a century ago, is deep in the foundations of the public services in this Province. Thirty years ago there were literally no resources outside of Vancouver and Victoria for the care of children needing protection. The local police were many times the only persons available to the Superintendent when reports of neglect or abuse of children were received. Their contribution is in itself a memorable page in the history of British Columbia child welfare. As recently as twenty years ago, a two-way Provincial Police radio in the Court-house at Vancouver was one of the Branch's most valuable resources to aid children in dire straits in the then many isolated parts of the Province. Men in police uniforms travelled far to reach children in need and conscientiously arranged for their care until they could be brought to the Coast, where the main child-care resources existed. To-day there are foster homes in each of the six Social Welfare Branch regions, and children are placed for adoption as far afield as the Yukon Territory. Workers strive valiantly to bring only those children who need a special service out of their home district to the Coast, and the social worker is the official charged with responsibility for investigating and assessing complaints of neglect. CHILD WELFARE IS ECONOMICALLY SOUND Many departments of Government this year will be able to tell of spectacular expansion and take justifiable pride in financial gains. How can the returns on expenditures made on behalf of children be measured? Most of the Branch's endeavours could be likened to long-term investments, except that they seldom show gains in the ordinary financial sense. Good family and child welfare standards, however, accrue interest of a rich nature. They ensure to the investor (the taxpayer) more stable family and community life and young people better equipped to meet the day-to-day demands of the Province's accelerated economic development. One investment, and perhaps the only one in child welfare, in which actual financial returns can be shown is the one made in the placement of children for adoption. This, like all services to children, is first and foremost a family gain because its whole purpose is to create a new and strong family life for the child. In terms of the taxpayer's money, however, adoption placement can be shown to pay substantial cash dividends. Foster-home placement of one child for 18 years represents an expenditure of some $20,000, but if that child is placed for adoption soon after birth, a saving of the same amount is realized. In terms of potential cost, this year's accomplishment in adoption placement represents a continuously rewarding financial investment. EARLY ADOPTION PLACEMENT SATISFYING During the year 390 children were placed for adoption by the Social Welfare Branch, and 185 of these went directly from hospital to their adoptive parents. Based on cur- S 40 BRITISH COLUMBIA rent per capita per diem rates, the adoption placement of these 390 children alone represents a saving of almost $500,000 in one year. Add to this a similar amount which would have been required to maintain the 281 children placed for adoption by the three Children's Aid Societies during the same period, and the savings become an arresting figure. In terms of human values, adoption is rich and rewarding beyond price. The normal healthy infant placed with his adopting parents soon after birth quickly becomes theirs and a new family is created in every sense of the word. ADOPTED CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Becoming one of a family is more difficult for some children, but if the right home has been chosen for each, it does happen in a miraculous way. Jimmie, aged 3, with a post-polio limp, viewed his prospective adopting parents warily for weeks as they visited in the foster home, but finally made his decision to go with them " for keeps," and he now " belongs." Bill, who had spent much of his brief seven years in hospital with heavy casts on his legs, also needed time to know he wanted to be one of the prospective adopting parents' children. Cindy, a beautiful little 4-year- old girl, needed parents, but they had to have very special skills because Cindy was deaf from a birth injury. The story of how communication was established between this child, the foster-parents, the worker, and the adopting parents is in itself heart warming. Coloured moving pictures of children, adults, and animals in foster and adoption home were exchanged between visits. Infinite thought went into the cut-out pictures and snapshots Cindy received regularly from her prospective adopting parents and their two older children. Finally all barriers were removed and Cindy has found " her " family. Children with asthma or eczema also pose special problems in adoption placement. They often feel and look unwell, and the natural beauty and spontaneity of childhood is marred. Nine-year-old Paul had these major problems to contend with. He also had vivid memories of the physical and emotional deprivation of his own home. He trusted no one. He was destructive and rude, and for a long time it seemed unlikely he would ever let himself " belong " with anyone. To-day he is an integral part of his adopting parents' life, his own changed behaviour and physical wellness being proof of his affection for them. The child of mixed racial origin is one who increasingly must be given greater consideration by the citizens of British Columbia. As immigration policies broaden and as the goal of assimilation and integration of the Native Indian is achieved there will inevitably be more children with different heritage needing care. Quite a number already are planned for each year through adoption. Sometimes the parents selected are of the same racial origin, but frequently people of a different colour but with a true belief in equality will take such a child. They do not minimize the added hurdles they and he. must face, but they are prepared to be his bulwark against the hazards which beset the not-wholly-white child in our midst to-day. Families of two or more children and multiple births also present a challenge in adoption placement, and in the last three years the limitations of modern housing have increased the problem. It is always cause for jubilation, therefore, when an application for two or more children is received. When the study of the home reveals it has five or six bedrooms to be filled, the day becomes a red-letter one, indeed. This year we were particularly fortunate, and four families of two children each were placed as well as five sets of twins. Socially and spiritually, adoption is a worth-while and thought-provoking human experience. Dorothy Faubin, in her poem "Child Adopted," expresses it this way:— " In this small bed blooms the seedling of fate This little transplant is ours! " REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH ADOPTIONS COMPLETED BY COURT ORDER DURING THE FISCAL YEAR S 41 Of the total 1,177 Supreme Court adoption orders granted during the fiscal year, 705 pertained to children placed by a Children's Aid Society or Child Welfare Division. Three hundred and sixty-four were stepfather or other relative adoptions, and 108 only involved children placed by other than a recognized child welfare agency. The age-groups of the 705 children legally adopted who had been placed by Social Welfare Branch and the voluntary agencies is shown in Table IV below and speaks well of the efforts being made to plan permanently for children as soon after birth as possible. Table IV.—Age-groups of Children in Agency Completed Adoptions as at the Time of Placement Under 1 Month 1-2 Months 3-5 Months 6-11 Months 1-2 Years 3-4 Years 5-6 Years 7-8 Years Total Region I 25 43 24 23 13 18 125 12 26 13 26 15 19 9 7 25 4 29 8 6 10 6 4 6 14 12 10 6 10 4 6 3 7 17 11 5 9 .... 4 6 6 6 11 12 9 4 4 2 3 5 6 5 1 1 1 1 4 "1 z 1 2 66 90 60 63 41 Region VI C.A.S 44 203 C.C.A.S - — 51 F.C.S 87 Totals 309 147 76 69 63 29 9 3 705 OLDER CHILDREN IN FOSTER HOMES A good many older wards of the Superintendent, if they were being brought into care as babies or small children to-day, would be planned for by adoption, but because this resource did not exist fifteen or more years ago, it is doubly important that they be given help to gain independence. This year several graduate from high school and are going to continue their education. Others are taking commercial courses and many are already successfully employed in the clerical field. Vocational schools in different parts of the Province have wards enrolled, and a good many have earned special recognition for their endeavours. Departmental policy with respect to assisting these boys and girls is sound and is being used thoughtfully by workers. FACILITIES LACKING FOR DEFECTIVE CHILD IN CARE For seventy-seven children in care and an equal number in the care of Children's Aid Societies, little rehabilitative work can be done. These are children with severe physical and (or) mental handicaps. Many need the care provided in The Woodlands School, and until increased facilities are available in that institution, workers are hard pressed to make adequate foster-home placements. Special rates are paid, but replacements are frequent anfl much worker's time is involved which otherwise could be devoted to tasks more appropriately the responsibility of the Branch. Current interdepartmental planning will hasten a resolution of this extremely complicated problem. TREATMENT RESOURCE NEEDED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Another group of children for whom there is little to offer in the way of treatment and cure are those in emotional stress with themselves and others. Usually the damage starts in the early years, and by the time their unacceptable behaviour is brought to the attention of schools and communities, the scars are almost beyond healing. No finer gesture of dedication to the future could be made in British Columbia's Centennial Year S 42 BRITISH COLUMBIA than the development of such a resource. Society would be well repaid. Many boys and girls destined otherwise to be known in correctional institutions and mental hospitals through proper treatment could be enabled to take their rightful place in the community life of the Province. FAMILY ALLOWANCE FOR CHILDREN IN CARE During the calendar year $51,982.95 was received from the Family Allowances Branch on behalf of 1,552 children in the care of the Superintendent. The balance in trust as at January 1st, 1956, was $39,153.42; a total of $45,992.59 was disbursed in the twelve-month period; and a balance of $45,143.78 remained as at December 31st, 1956. HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN CARE OF SUPERINTENDENT The general health of children in care was good. As reported earlier, however, we are caring for a higher number of physically and mentally defective children than ever before, and three of the four deaths to be reported this year were children from this group. The fourth death was that of an unhappy disturbed adolescent. OTHER PHASES OF DIVISIONAL WORK The Canadian Immigration Department this year requested the assessment of plans for 135 minors in other countries wanting to come to friend or relative in British Columbia. In most instances a favourable recommendation is made, but occasionally the proposed plan is inappropriate, and the Superintendent's entry in the situation safeguards against it being implemented. HUNGARIAN REFUGEE CHILDREN IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Forty-two boys and girls under 18 years of age arrived in British Columbia during the year under the Hungarian refugee plan who were unaccompanied by parent or guardian, and for whom, as provided by the " Protection of Children Act," the Superintendent assumed the responsibilities of legal guardian. Neither the Immigration Department nor the Branch had prior knowledge of their arrival, and this, the language difficulty, and the fact that many had been fending for themselves for years, and chronologically only were still children, made planning difficult. The first months in a new country are telling for the immigrant and new country alike, and experience with Hungarian refugee youth thus far has shown that if others are to follow, increased counselling services should be made available to them at immigration reception centres. Twenty-four hours by air geographically removes them from hardship and want, but it does not change behaviour patterns developed out of experience with terror and violence nor remove the memory of loss by separation or death of parents and kin which some have known. Conflicts of culture and ideology are apparent, and if help of a professional order is not made available immediately upon the immigrant child's arrival, their entry to this country will be a disappointing venture to them as well as to the citizens of Canada. As at March 31st, 1957, it had been necessary to admit to foster-home care the following Hungarian children:— Agency Number Children's Aid Societies 3 Catholic Children's Aid Society 4 Family and Children's Service, Victoria 1 Social Welfare Branch 1 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 43 SERVICES TO SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court used Branch and voluntary services in seventy-eight new applications concerned with disputes over custody of children this year. ADMINISTRATION OF " CHILDREN OF UNMARRIED PARENTS ACT " Twenty-six Court orders, fifty-six agreements, and twenty-two settlements were made under the provision of the " Children of Unmarried Parents Act " this year. A total of $59,093.62 was collected and disbursed in the twelve-month period. CONCLUSION Statistics which have to do with families and children can never tell an entire story. Behind the number of children shown apprehended under the " Protection of Children Act" or the " Juvenile Delinquents Act" lie the families who for one tragic reason or another were not able to remain together. The number of children shown as reunited with their parents or placed in adoption homes during the year conjures a happier picture. No statistics, however, can indicate the help given parents and children alike to reach the goal of reunion. Nor can it tell of a worker's grave sense of responsibility for the removal of a child from his own home or for the decision he must make when selecting adopting parents for that child in whose way of life he must irrevocably be reared. These are some of the intangibles of child welfare reporting. Because they represent in large measure the day-to-day job of staff, the Superintendent would pay special tribute to workers throughout the Province in this Centennial Year report. They have remained steadfast to the principles laid down by our predecessors, and through their loyalty and belief in the Branch are daily building their own particular and fine contribution for the future. ^ (Miss) Ruby McKay, Superintendent of Child Welfare. S 44 BRITISH COLUMBIA OLD-AGE ASSISTANCE, BLIND PERSONS' ALLOWANCES, DISABLED PERSONS' ALLOWANCES, AND SUPPLEMENTARY ASSISTANCE GENERAL An analysis of the work completed during the year 1956-57 reveals that the volume continued to be excessive. As a result of this, in addition to a serious shortage of staff at the beginning of the year, it was necessary to do a great deal of overtime work, which was not discontinued until the end of November. I am pleased to say, however, that the staff situation has improved greatly, and that the flow of work was much closer to normal by the end of March. A review of the case load indicates that the number of Old-age Assistance applications received, also the total number on the payroll, continues to decline. During the year 1956-57 a total of 2,210 applications were received, as compared to 2,281 the previous year, and as at March 31st, 1957, there were 7,029 on our payroll, including transfers from other Provinces, whereas a year previously this total stood at 7,441. Blind Allowances, on the other hand, showed a slight increase, both in numbers received and on the payroll. The number of applications received increased from seventy- one in 1955-56 to eighty in 1956-57, and the total on the payroll as at the end of March increased from 475 in 1956 to 482 in 1957. The " Disabled Persons' Allowances Act" became effective in British Columbia as from April 1st, 1955, and during the first year of operation a total of 1,326 applications were received. As at March 31st, 1956, the total number on the payroll stood at 705. These figures compare with 430 applications received during 1956-57 and a total on the payroll of 1,067 as at March 31st, 1957. In reference to Supplementary Assistance for persons 70 years of age and over, it is interesting to note that there was a sharp increase both in the number of applications received and the total number on the payroll. During the year under review 2,216 new applications were received, as compared to 1,599 the previous year, and the total number of active cases, including transfers from Alberta and Saskatchewan, stood at 28,059 as at March 31st, 1957, as compared to 27,028 as at March 31st, 1956. In summarizing the foregoing it will be noted that the over-all case load is steadily increasing. An examination of the financial statement at the end of the report reveals that the net amount paid by British Columbia in Old-age Assistance during the fiscal year under review was $118,387.13 less than the net amount paid during the previous fiscal year. On the other hand, the amount of Supplementary Assistance paid by the Province increased considerably. The total of these Supplementary Assistance payments for all categories was $2,111,190.10 in excess of the amount paid out during 1955-56, with the over-70 group leading the upswing with an increase of $1,603,858.13 over the previous year. The main reason for this sharp rise was, of course, the increase in the maximum amount of Supplementary Assistance payable from $15 to $20 a month as from April 1st, 1956. GRAPHIC PRESENTATION COVERING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1st, 1952, TO MARCH 31st, 1957 Following will be found a graphic presentation of the various aspects of the administration of Old-age Assistance since the coming into force of " The Old Age Assistance Act "in January, 1952. In following the line graphs denoting cost of assistance, the initial sharp rise reflects the numerous applications that were granted in the first year. In the period between REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 45 7,032 4,500 4,200 3,900 3,600 3,300 3,000 2,700 2,400 2,100 1,800 1,500 1,200 900 600 300 0 1 OLD AGE ASSISTANCE --BRITISH COLUMBIA- JANUARY 1, 1952 TO MARCH 31, 195.7 Cost of Assistance 1 \ 1 1 i 15 0, 000 units per square 300 units per square _ 300 units per square 300 units per square ll \ \ Number of Applications Granted Number of Applications Refused • 1 i i R ecipie its Tr ansfer red tc Old A ge Sec — 300 units 1 per sq .ire 1 jl i 1 \ I l _,--- *"-«.-; ^.-V *^"~ A \ ! / \ \ \ j / ! / \^S \i ? -» ^— ""v* —: *«***te sssss saw ■""Cti -.^rr^ ">*».. _NN gg?* &Z ^- 7 +<*' N 2 V. 2. P2S rH ~ O co t*l en 6 -* fa £ 02S 5 oss P2S flSS 1953 and 1954 there is a levelling-off in costs. The slight rise in costs in the second quarter of 1955 is largely due to the increase in the number of applications received and granted earlier in the year. In 1956 there is a gradual decrease in costs, indicating a decreasing case load. This is largely due to the fact that all of the initial 7,000 new cases granted in 1952 had been transferred to Old Age Security by December 31st, 1956, as five years is the maximum length of time a recipient can receive Old-age Assistance. New cases granted were not keeping pace with these transfers during this period. Other factors not shown but which influenced the case load were the number of suspensions and number of cases dying. It will be noted in this first five-year period that the various line graphs drew closer together. This indicates that the Board was gradually moving toward a stabilized case load—namely, when the number of new applications received, new cases granted, and cases transferred to Old Age Security would be more or less the same for each year. For the current fiscal year only, the line graphs show an increase in the number of new applications in the first quarter because of the weather and road conditions in the field and an increase in the number of new cases granted in the second quarter, as it usually takes a month or two to process the applications. New applications decreased in the second and third quarters close to the level of the previous fiscal year, the decrease possibly due to the availability of part-time work. The last quarter shows an increase again in new applications. This is partially due to the inability of the older person to remain independent in the winter months when opportunities for employment are not readily available. The last quarter also marks the beginning of the second five-year period. S 46 BRITISH COLUMBIA Looking forward, it is anticipated our case load will increase gradually for a number of years because of the lesser number being transferred to Old Age Security. This future anticipated increased in case load, apart from the increased number of new applications caused by the basic changes in the Act and regulations, should reflect greater all-round welfare costs. STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31st, 1957 Old-age Assistance Table I.—Disposition of Applications New applications received 2,205 Applications granted 1,973 1 Applications not granted (refused, withdrawn, etc.) 452 1 Includes some left over from previous year. Table II.—Miscellaneous (a) British Columbia recipients— Returned to British Columbia Reinstated Deaths Suspended Transferred to other Provinces ___ Transferred to Old Age Security Total number on payroll at end of fiscal year (b) Other-Province recipients— Transferred to British Columbia Reinstated Suspended Deaths Transferred out of British Columbia Transferred to Old Age Security (c) Total number of British Columbia and other-Province recipients on payroll at end of fiscal year 34 126 277 306 45 1,935 6,815 162 3 13 10 77 67 7,029 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 47 Table III.—Reasons Why Applications Not Granted Not of age Unable to prove age Not sufficient residence Income in excess 191 Unable to prove residence Transfer of property Receiving War Veterans' Allowance Information refused Applications withdrawn Applicants died before grant Whereabouts unknown Eligible for Old Age Security Assistance from private sources Receiving Old Age Security Miscellaneous Total.. 452 Number Per Cent 70 15.49 14 3.08 6 1.33 191 42.26 3 0.66 4 0.88 24 5.31 63 13.94 39 8.63 8 1.78 19 4.21 2 0.44 6 1.33 3 0.66 100.00 Male __. Female Table IV.—Sex of New Recipients Number 8 81 1,092 Total 1,973 Per Cent 44.65 55.35 100.00 Table V.—Marital Status of New Recipients Number Per Cent Married 785 39.78 Single 262 13.28 Widows 466 23.62 Widowers 114 5.78 Separated 319 16.17 Divorced .. 27 1.37 100.00 Total 1,973 Table VI.—Birthplace of New Recipients Number Per Cent British Columbia 163 8.26 Other parts of Canada 387 19.61 British Isles 534 27.07 Other parts of British Empire 9 0.46 United States of America 189 9.58 Other foreign countries 691 35.02 Total 1,973 100.00 S 48 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table VII.—Ages at Granting of Assistance Number Per Cent Age 65 1,011 51.24 Age 66 353 17.89 Age 67 232 11.76 Age 68 218 11.05 Age 69 159 8.06 Total -J 1,973 100.00 Table VIII.—Ages of Recipients at Death Number Per Cent Age 65 23 8.30 Age 66 52 18.77 Age 67 51 18.41 Age 68 76 27.44 Age 69 75 27.08 Total 277 100.00 Table IX.—With Whom New Recipients Live Number Per Cent Living alone 703 35.63 Living with spouse 652 33.05 Living with spouse and children 116 5.88 Living with children 258 13.08 Living with other relatives 109 5.52 Living with others 84 4.26 Living in public institutions 30 1.52 Living in private institutions 21 - 1.06 Total 1,973 100.00 Table X.—Where New Recipients Are Living Number Per Cent In own house 818 41.46 In rented house 187 9.48 In children's home 272 13.79 In home of other relatives 69 3.50 Boarding 54 2.74 In boarding home 26 1.32 In housekeeping room 309 15.66 In single room (eating out) 44 2.22 In rented suite 143 7.25 In institutions 51 2.58 Total 1,973 100.00 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 49 Table XI.—Economic Status of New Recipients (a) Holding real property of value- $0 $1 to $250 $251 to $500„__ $501 to $750— $751 to $1,000. $1,001 to $1,500 189 $1,501 to $2,000 $2,001 and up TotaL (b) Holding personal property of value- $0 $1 to $250 $251 to $500 $501 to $750 $751 to $1,000 _ $1,001 to $1,500_ $1,501 to $2,000.. $2,001 and up Total. 1,973 Number Per Cent 1,245 63.10 12 0.61 50 2.53 76 3.85 100 5.07 189 9.58 142 7.20 159 8.06 1,973 100.00 Number Per Cent 1,030 52.21 544 27.57 133 6.74 123 6.23 74 3.75 49 2.48 11 0.56 9 0.46 100.00 Table XII.—Number of Recipients Living in Other Provinces as at March 31st, 1957, Whose Assistance Is Paid by British Columbia Alberta Granted by British Columbia 21 Granted by Other Provinces 12 Saskatchewan l. ._ 9 13 Manitoba 6 5 Ontario _ __ 11 12 Quebec - ■'. 1 4 New Brunswick 1 Nova Scotia „ - __._ __ 1 1 Prince Edward Island 1 Newfoundland Northwest Territories Yukon Territory Totals 51 47 S 50 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table XIII.—Distribution of B.C. Recipients according to the Amount of Assistance Received (Basic Assistance, $40) Amount of Assistance Per Cent $40 83.39 $35 to $39.99 4.02 $30 to $34.99 3.98 $25 to $29.99 2.80 $20 to $24.99 1.60 Less than $19.99 4.21 Total 100.00 Blind Persons' Allowances Table I.—Disposition of Applications New applications received 75 Applications granted 511 Applications refused, withdrawn, etc 212 1 Includes some left over from previous year. 2 Number still pending not included. Table II.—Miscellaneous (a) British Columbia recipients— Suspended 29 Reinstated 10 Transferred to other Provinces 2 Returned to British Columbia 1 Transferred to Old Age Security 20 Deaths 14 (b) Other-Province recipients— Transferred to British Columbia 10 Reinstated 5 Transferred out of British Columbia or suspended 5 Deaths (c) Total on payroll at end of fiscal year— British Columbia 452 Other Province 30 482 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 51 Table III.—Reasons Why Applications Not Granted Not blind within the meaning of the Act. Income in excess Applications withdrawn Eligible for Old Age Security. Number ._ 8 _ 4 Died before grant 3 Receiving War Veterans' Allowance 1 Information refused 4 Assistance from private sources Receipt of Old Age Security 1 Total. 21 Per Cent 38.09 19.05 14.29 4.76 19.05 4.76 100.00 Table IV.—Sex of New Recipients Number _ 30 Male Female 21 Total. 51 Per Cent 58.82 41.18 100.00 Table V.—Marital Status of New Recipients Married _ Number 13 Per Cent 25.49 Single 21 41.18 Widows _ __ _ 2 3.92 Widowers _ __. ____ 1 1.96 Separated ■ 10 19.61 Divorced 4 7.84 51 Total 100.00 of New Recipients Number 21 18 Table VI.—Birthplace British Columbia Per Cent 41.18 Other parts of Canada 35.29 British Isles 1 1.96 Other parts of British Empire 4 United States of America 7.84 Other foreign countries 7 13.73 51 Total 100.00 S 52 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table VII.—Ages at Granting of Allowance Number Per Cent Ages 18 to 21 5 9.80 Ages 22 to 30 8 15.69 Ages 31 to 40 4 7.84 Ages 41 to 50 13 25.49 Ages 51 to 60 8 15.69 Ages 61 to 69 13 25.49 Total 51 100.00 Table VIII.—Ages of Recipients at Death Number Per Cent Age 21 Ages 22 to 30 Ages 31 to 40 2 14.29 Ages 41 to 50 Ages 51 to 60 1 7.14 Ages 61 to 69 11 78.57 Total 14 100.00 Table IX.—With Whom New Recipients Live Number Per Cent Living with parents 10 19.61 Living alone 15 29.42 Living with spouse 6 11.77 Living with spouse and children 5 9.80 Living with children 1 1.96 Living with other relatives 3 5.88 Living with others 2 3.92 Living in public institutions 4 7.84 Living in private institutions 5 9.80 Total 51 100.00 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 53 Table X.—Where New Recipients Are Living Number Per Cent In parents' home 11 21.57 In own home 15 29.42 In rented house 3 5.88 In rented suite 1 1.96 In children's home 2 3.92 In home of other relatives 3 5.88 Boarding 1 1.96 In housekeeping room 4 7.84 In boarding home 1 1.96 In institutions 9 17.65 In single room (eating out) 1 1.96 100.00 Total. 51 Table XI.—Economic Status of New Recipients (a) Holding real property of value— Number $0 43 $1 to $250 $251 to $500 1 $501 to $750 $751 to $1,000 2 $1,001 to $1,500 1 $1,501 to $2,000 3 $2,001 and up 1 Total 51 (b) Holding personal property of value— $0 Number .__ 36 _ 8 ... 1 .__ 1 $1 to $250 $251 to $500 $501 to $750 $751 to $1,000 $1,001 to $1,500 2 $1,501 to $2,000 2 $2,001 and up 1 Per Cent 84.32 1.96 3.92 1.96 5.88 1.96 100.00 Per Cent 70.59 15.69 1.96 1.96 3.92 3.92 1.96 Total 51 100.00 S 54 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table XII, -Number of Recipients Living in Other Provinces as at March 31st, 1957, Whose Allowances Are Paid by This Province Alberta Granted by British Columbia 1 Granted by Other Provinces 2 Saskatchewan 1 2 Manitoba 1 Ontario 1 Quebec New Brunswick 1 Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Newfoundland Northwest Territories Yukon Territory Total 4 5 Table XIII.—Distribution of B.C. Recipients according to the Amount of Allowance Received (Basic Allowance, $40) Per Cent 93.36 3.32 0.89 0.44 0.22 1.77 $40 $35 to $39.99 _. $30 to $34.99 _ $25 to $29.99 1 $20 to $24.99 L $19.90 and less Total 100.00 Disabled Persons' Allowances Table I.—Disposition of Applications New applications received 430 Applications granted 3991 Applications refused, withdrawn, etc. 212 1 Includes some left over from previous year. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 55 Table II.—Miscellaneous (a) British Columbia recipients— Suspended Reinstated (b) (c) Transferred to other Provinces Returned to British Columbia Transferred to Old Age Security Deaths Other-Province recipients— Transferred to British Columbia Transferred out of British Columbia or suspended Reinstated Deaths Total on payroll at end of fiscal year— British Columbia 1,043 Other Province 24 34 8 6 2 21 23 1,067 Table III.—Reasons Why Applications Not Granted Not 18 years of age Unable to prove age Not sufficient residence Unable to prove residence Too much income Transfer of property Refused information Number Whereabouts unknown Allowance under " Blind Persons Act" Assistance under " Old-age Assistance Act " Allowance under " War Veterans' Allowance Act" Pension under " Old Age Security Act " Mothers' Allowance Unable to meet medical test Referred for rehabilitation Tuberculosis sanatorium Mental hospital Home for the Aged Infirmary Institution for incurables Hospital Nursing home Other institutions 140 17 4 3 1 Application withdrawn 14 Died before grant 13 Per Cent 3.30 1.88 0.47 66.05 8.02 3.30 0.47 1.88 1.42 0.47 6.61 6.13 TotaL 212 100.00 S 56 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table IV.—Primary Causes of Disability on Accepted Cases Per Cent Infective and parasitic diseases 5.68 Neoplasms 1.99 Allergic, endocrine system, metabolic, and nutritional diseases 4.55 Diseases of blood and blood-forming organs 0.28 Mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders 34.94 Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs 31.53 Diseases of the circulatory system 7.39 Diseases of the respiratory system 0.85 Diseases of the digestive system 0.57 Diseases of genito-urinary system Diseases of the skin and cellular tissue 0.57 Diseases of the bones and organs of movement 8.81 Congenital malformations 1.14 Symptoms, senility, and ill-defined conditions Accidents, poisoning, and violence (nature of injury) 1.70 Total 100.00 Table V.—Sex of New Recipients Number Per Cent Male 213 53.38 Female 186 46.62 Total 399 100.00 Table VI.—Marital Status of New Recipients Number Per Cent Married 59 14.78 Single 285 71.43 Widow 12 3.01 Widower 8 2.01 Separated 25 6.26 Divorced 10 2.51 399 Total _._ _ 100.00 of New Recipients Number 155 Table VII.—Birthplace British Columbia _ ~_ Per Cent 38.85 35.84 7.02 0.50 6.01 11.78 Other parts of Canada 143 British Isles , _ _ _ 28 Other parts of British Empire _ 2 United States of America. 24 Other foreign countries 47 399 Total 100.00 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 57 Table VIII.—Ages at Granting of Allowance Ages 18 to 19__ Ages 20 to 24__ Ages 25 to 29__ Ages 30 to 34__ Ages 35 to 39__. Ages 40 to 44__ Ages 45 to 49__ Ages 50 to 54__ Ages 55 to 59 _ Ages 60 to 64__ Ages 65 to 69__ Ages over 70 Total. Number _ 35 _ 32 . 37 _ 42 _ 29 . 39 _ 44 _ 49 _ 34 _ 53 _ 4 _ 1 _ 399 Per Cent 8.77 8.02 9.27 10.53 7.27 9.77 11.03 12.28 8.52 13.28 1.01 0.25 100.00 Table IX.—Ages of Recipients at Death Number Ages 18 to 19_. Ages 20 to 24. Ages 25 to 29_ Ages 30 to 34_ Ages 35 to 39_. Ages 40 to 44_. Ages 45 to 49_. Ages 50 to 54_ Ages 55 to 59_. Ages 60 to 64_. Ages 65 to 69 Ages over 70__ Total. Per Cent 2 9.52 4 19.05 1 4.76 3 14.29 3 14.29 4 19.05 2 9.52 2 9.52 1 100.00 Table X.—With Whom Recipients Live Living with parents. Living alone Living with spouse Living Living Living Living Living in public institution- Living in private institution with spouse and children_ with children with other relatives with others Jumber Per Cent 211 52.88 39 9.77 40 10.03 19 4.76 14 3.51 47 11.78 27 6.77 0.50 Total. 399 100.00 S 58 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table XI.—Where New Recipients Are Living In parents' home In own house In rented house _ _ . Number 202 53 29 Per Cent 50.63 13.28 7.27 In rented suite _ _ _ 19 4.76 In children's home _ _ 16 4.01 In home of other relatives.. _ 43 10.78 Boarding _ _ . 18 4.51 In housekeeping room 14 3.51 In boarding home. In institutions . 3 2 0.75 0.50 In single room (eating out) 399 Total 100.00 Table XII.—Economic Status of New Recipients (a) Holding real property of value- $0 $1 to $250 $251 to $500 $501 to $750 $751 to $ 1,000..... $1,001 to $1,500. $1,501 to $2,000. $2,001 and up. Number . 348 . 2 Total. 7 9 11 12 399 Per Cent 87.22 0.50 0.50 2.01 1.75 2.25 2.76 3.01 100.00 (b) Holding personal property of value- $0 $1 to $250 $251 to $500 $501 to $750 $751 to $1,000 $1,001 to $1,500 $1,501 to $2,000 $2,001 and up Number ._ 320 . 49 _ 17 _ 2 . 4 ._ 3 Total. 399 Per Cent 80.20 12.28 4.25 0.50 1.01 0.75 1.01 100.00 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 59 Table XIII. — Number of Recipients Living in Other Provinces as at March 31st, 1957, Whose Allowances Are Paid by This Province Alberta Saskatchewan ... Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia Granted by British Columbia 4 Granted by Other Provinces l 3 Prince Edward Island- Newfoundland Total.. Table XIV.—Distribution of British Columbia Recipients according to the Amount of Allowance Received (Basic Allowance, $40) $40 $35 to $39.99... $30 to $34.99... $25 to $29.99- $20 to $24.99- $19.99 and less Total. Per Cent 92.99 1.25 2.11 1.06 0.67 1.92 100.00 Supplementary Assistance and Health Services to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled New Applications Number received 2,218 Number granted supplementary assistance and health services 1,115 Number granted supplementary assistance only 3 Number granted health services only 113 Number who died before application was granted 34 Number of applications withdrawn 58 Number of applicants ineligible 293 Number of applications pending 602 Total 2,218 S 60 BRITISH COLUMBIA General Information Former old-age pensioners still receiving supplementary assistance on March 31st, 1957 13,837 Old-age Assistance recipients transferred to Old Age Security receiving supplementary assistance on March 31st, 1957 _ 7,065 New Old Age Security pensioners receiving supplementary assistance on March 31st, 1957 5,463 Blind persons in receipt of Old Age Security receiving supplementary assistance on March 31st, 1957 224 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS "The Old Age Assistance Act," Year Ended March 31st, 1957 Total amount paid recipients in British Assistance ^AssSc'l.^ Total Columbia $3,369,046.41 $1,481,588.57 $4,850,634.98 Less amount of refunds from recipients— Overpayments refunded $20,454.25 $3,021.99 $23,476.24 Miscellaneous refunds 120.00 40.00 160.00 Totals $20,574.25 $3,061.99 $23,636.24 Net amount paid to recipients in British Columbia . $3,348,472.16 $1,478,526.58 $4,826,998.74 Add amount paid other Provinces on account of recipients for whom British Columbia is responsible 24,925.94 5,886.75 30,812.69 Less amount received by British Columbia on account of recipients for whom other Provinces are responsible 63,314.09 10,392.50 73,706.59 Less amount refunded by the Federal Government 1,674,233.56 1,674,233.56 Total amount paid by British Columbia $1,635,850.45 $1,474,020.83 $3,109,871.28 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 61 "The Blind Persons Act," Year Ended March 31st, 1957 Supplementary Allowances Assistance Total Total amount paid recipients in British Columbia $226,871.95 $101,781.95 $328,653.90 Less amount of refunds from recipients—Overpayments refunded 1,012.95 75.00 1,087.95 Net amount paid to recipients in British Columbia $225,859.00 $101,706.95 $327,565.95 Add amount paid other Provinces on account of recipients for whom British Columbia is responsible 895.76 160.00 1,055.76 Less amount received by British Columbia on account of recipients for whom other Provinces are responsible 2,907.15 3,026.00 5,933.15 Less amount refunded by the Federal Government 169,386.75 169,386.75 Total amount paid by British Columbia $54,460.86 $98,840.95 $153,301.81 "The Disabled Persons Act," Year Ended March 31st, 1957 Supplementary Allowances Assistance Total Total amount paid recipients in British Columbia $456,133.42 $222,606.56 $678,739.98 Less amount of refunds from recipients— Overpayments refunded $241.49 $39.81 $281.30 Miscellaneous refunds 40.00 15.00 55.00 Totals $281.49 $54.81 $336.30 Net amount paid to recipients in British Columbia $455,851.93 $222,551.75 $678,403.68 Add amount paid other Provinces on account of recipients for whom British Columbia is responsible 2,727.33 860.00 3,587.33 Less amount received by British Columbia on account of recipients for whom other Provinces are responsible 7,695.95 7,695.95 Less amount refunded by the Federal Government 227,925.98 227,925.98 Total amount paid by British Columbia $222,957.33 $223,411.75 $446,369.08 S 62 BRITISH COLUMBIA Old Age Security Pensioners—Supplementary Assistance, Year Ended March 31st, 1957 Total amount paid recipients in British Columbia $6,053,908.33 Less amount of refunds from recipients— Overpayments refunded 8,187.11 Miscellaneous refunds 221.88 Total $8,408.99 Net amount paid to recipients in British Columbia $6,045,499.34 Add amount paid other Provinces on account of recipients for whom British Columbia is responsible 50,450.49 Less amount received by British Columbia on account of recipients for whom other Provinces are responsible 197,180.12 Total amount paid by British Columbia ... $5,898,769.71 "The Old Age Pensions Act," Year Ended March 31st, 1957 Supplementary Pensions Assistance Total Total amount paid pensioners in British Columbia.. $1,838.77 $25.00 $1,863.77 Less amount of refunds from pensioners—From estates . 3,274.92 3,274.92 Net amount $1,436.15! $25.00 $1,411,151 Less amount paid other Provinces on account of pensioners for whom British Columbia is responsible 469.65 469.65 Less amount refunded to the Federal Government.. 1,077.07 1,077.07 Total amount paid by British Columbia $110.57 $25.00 $135.57 1 Credit. Administration Expenses Salaries and special services $188,966.11 Office expense 48,630.79 Travelling expense 305.77 Incidentals and contingencies 640.20 Equipment and furniture . 2,597.31 Medical examinations 647.86 Total $241,788.04 report of social welfare branch Summary Administration and Assistance Administration $241,788.04 " Old-age Pension Act" 110.57 "Old-age Assistance Act" 1,635,850.45 "Blind Persons' Allowances Act" 54,460.86 " Disabled Persons' Allowances Act" 222,957.33 S 63 As per Public Accounts. $2,155,167.25 Supplementary Assistance " Old-age Pension Act" " Old-age Assistance Act" " Blind Persons' Allowances Act" " Disabled Persons' Allowances Act"_ Universal Old Age Security As per Public Accounts. $25.00 1,474,020.83 98,840.95 223,411.75 5,898,769.71 $7,695,068.24 MEMBERS OF BOARD The following are the members of the Old-age Assistance Board of the Province of British Columbia:— Chairman: Mr. E. W. Berry. Members: Mr. J. A. Sadler, Director of Welfare; Mr. R. Talbot, Administrator, Region II, Social Welfare Branch. CONCLUSION In closing this report the Board would like to express its sincere appreciation to the office and field staffs for the willing spirit in which they have carried on their work throughout the year and for assistance generously extended by other departments of the Government and many outside agencies. Respectfully submitted. E. W. Berry, Chairman. S 64 BRITISH COLUMBIA MEDICAL SERVICES DIVISION The following is the annual report of the Medical Services Division for the fiscal year 1956-57. Table I.—Payments to British Columbia Doctors Fiscal Year and Breakdown Total Expenditure 1949-50—Agreement $592,908.17 1950-51—Agreement 688,829.34 1951-52—Agreement 723,524.87 1952-53—Agreement $1,190,248.30 Immigrant 2,278.96 Other 10,232.25 1,202,759.51 1953-54—Agreement $1,217,431.12 Immigrant 2,047.75 Other 489.84 1,219,968.71 1954-55—Agreement $1,359,212.98 Immigrant 1,257.63 Other 2,457.60 1,362,928.21 1955_56—Agreement $1,518,274.51 Immigrant 701.89 Other 4,682.00 1,523,658.40 1956-57—Agreement $1,479,661.21 Immigrant 1,836.78 Other 4,903.00 1,486,400.99 Table II.—Categorical Breakdown of Medical Coverage, 1956-57 Average Monthly Coverage on Percentage Category a Yearly Basis of Total Mothers' Allowance 1,047 2 Social Allowance 17,118 26 Child Welfare Division 3,311 5 Old Age Security bonus and Blind Persons' Allowance 36,239 55 Old-age Assistance 7,739 10 Disabled Persons' Allowance 975 2 Total average monthly coverage on yearly basis 66,429 Total yearly payments to S.A.M.S $1,479,839.34 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 65 Medical Services Division continued its activities to integrate and to co-operate in the utilization of travelling clinics throughout the Province and the fixed clinics in the large centres, such as Vancouver and Victoria. Reference is made specifically to the British Columbia Cancer Institute, Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, and the Children's Hospital travelling clinics. Table HI.—Travelling and Consultative Clinics, 1956-57 Name of Clinic and Treatment Centre Number of Clinics Name of Clinic and Treatment Centre Number of Clinics British Columbia Cancer Institute— Abbotsford 10 Chilliwack 5 Cranbrook 6 Kamloops 4 Kelowna 11 Nanaimo 11 Nelson 6 Penticton 11 Prince George 3 Prince Rupert 2 Trail 6 Vernon 11 Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society— Campbell River _.__ 1 Courtenay 1 Cranbrook 2 Creston 1 Dawson Creek 1 Fort St. lohn 1 Invermere 2 Kelowna 2 Kimberley 1 Kitimat 1 Miller Bay 2 Nanaimo 1 Nelson 2 Penticton , 1 Port Alberni 1 Powell River 1 Prince George 1 Quesnel 1 Sardis 2 Trail 2 Vanderhoof 1 7 Vernon 2 Williams Lake 1 Windermere 1 — 32 During the past year over 117 cases were assisted in being brought down from various parts of the Province to Vancouver for consultation or treatment. Table TV.—Summary of Recorded Patients Who Received Treatment in Vancouver Hospitals from April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 Children's Hospital- Okanagan Kootenays Peace River Cariboo Skeena — 86 2 2 1 1 1 Diagnostic Classification Number of Patients Age-group Number of Patients Medical general Medical neurological.. Unclassified Surgical— General Cancer.. G.U Orthopaedic. Eye. Gynaecology. Total patients. 48 4 3 13 8 14 15 10 2 1-10 years 11-20 years 21-30 years 41-50 years 51-60 years 61-70 years 71-80 years 81-90 years 6 8 7 14 14 23 24 7 1171 i Male, 78; female, 39. S 66 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table V.—Drug-store Charges, 1956-57 Number of Prescriptions 115,068 Drug Type Analgesic Cardiac 50,523 Digestive 43,681 Eye, ear, nose, and throat 14,636 Hormones 14,222 Respiratory 25,933 Skin 13,472 Vitamins 39,096 Miscellaneous 81,724 Yearly totals 398,355 Charge $207,921.49 139,312.76 82,633.25 23,555.64 30,291.77 59,900.27 19,803.03 119,722.05 218,627.75 $901,768.01 Table VI.—Medicines Supplied through Drug-stores 1955-56 1956-57 Total number of prescriptions 399,367 398,355 Average charge per prescription. $2,135 $2,263 Average number of prescriptions per applicant 5.85 5.99 Cost of medicines through— Drug-stores $823,002.90 $873,145.51 Provincial Pharmacy 73,886.78 92,776.46 Total cost of drugs $896,889.68 $965,921.97 Table VII.—Percentage Utilization and Average Charge of Prescriptions according to Type of Medicine Supplied Through Drug-stores 1955-56 1956-57 Drug Type Number of Prescriptions Percentage Utilization Average Charge per Prescription Number of Prescriptions Percentage Utilization Average Charge per Prescription Analgesic. ... Cardiac . Digestive Eye, ear, nose, and throat... Hormones 113,942 57,820 42,833 13,976 14,370 25,577 14,093 37,730 77,026 28.50 14.50 10.72 3.50 3.60 6.90 3.53 9.45 19.30 $1,745 2.662 1.809 1.539 2.095 2.287 1.437 3.009 2.483 115,068 50,523 43,681 14,636 14,222 25,933 13,472 39,096 81,724 28.90 12.70 11.00 3.70 3.60 6.60 3.40 9.90 20.20 $1,806 2.757 1.891 1.608 2.129 2.309 Skin 1.47 3.062 2.675 Table VIII.—Costs of Provincial Pharmacy Fiscal Year Expenditure Fiscal Year Expenditure 1952-53 $15,467.06 1955-56 $73,886.78 1953-54 26,301.69 1956-57 92,776.46 1954-55. 51,741.07 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 67 Table IX.—Dental Payments Total Fiscal Year and Breakdown Expenditure 1946-47 $6,457.75 1947_48 13,008.82 1948-49 19,290.90 1949-50 24,764.95 1950-51 30,915.12 1951-52 50,044.06 1952-53—Prophylaxis $1,470.00 Extractions 6,305.39 Dentures 65,234.70 73,010.09 1953-54—Prophylaxis $3,621.59 Extractions 6,851.64 Dentures 76,243.94 1954-55—Prophylaxis $14,017.99 Extractions 7,845.05 Dentures 90,855.99 86,717.17 1955-56—Prophylaxis $15,385.80 Extractions 8,570.90 Dentures 95,556.04 112,719.03 119,512.74 1956-57—Prophylaxis $24,996.66 Extractions 7,596.04 Dentures 96,674.86 129,267.56 Table X.—Optical Payments Total Fiscal Year and Breakdown Expenditure 1946-47 $1,821.06 1947-48 2,615.64 1948-49 3,817.73 1949-50 . 13,425.22 1950-51 23,543.17 1951-52 28,972.01 1952-53—Optometric examination $9,119.84 Glasses 35,738.36 44,858.20 44,330.50 1953-54—Optometric examination $8,797.23 Glasses 35,533.27 1954-55—Optometric examination $9,090.55 Glasses 38,983.79 1955-56—Optometric examination $9,096.05 Glasses 39,245.86 1956-57—Optometric examination $9,2,13.65 Glasses 41,351.96 48,074.34 48,341.91 50,565.61 S 68 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table XI.—Divisional Costs for Ten Years, 1946-47 to 1956-57 Fiscal Year Medical Drugs Dental Optical Transportation Other Total 1946-47.. 1947-48- 1948-49.. 1949-50- 1950-51.. 1951-52- 1952-53.. 1953-54- 1954-55- 1955-56- 1956-57.. $104,375.86 185,613.57 250,004.18 592,908.17 688,829.34 723,524.87 1,202,759.51 1,219,968.71 1,362,928.21 1,523,658.40 1,486,400.99 $65,690.53 123,913.10 172,554.46 299,478.71 387,242.73 448,886.21 625,811.17 658,599.63 753,831.50 896,889.68 873,145.51 $6,457.75 13,008.82 19,290.90 24,764.96 30,915.12 50,044.06 73,010.09 86,717.17 112,719.03 119,512.74 129,267.56 $1,821.06 2,615.64 3,817.73 13,425.22 23,543.17 28,972.01 44,858.20 44,330.50 48,074.34 48,341.91 50,565.61 $4,752.15 6,319.58 10,484.90 14,156.08 13,612.38 14,860.51 16,765.41 17,380.03 23,891.75 22,504.83 23,359.27 $2,876.33 3,602.90 10,317.53 3,990.96 1,839.60 3,170.24 8,492.14 11,100.36 13,454.81 12,733.72 14,421.96 $185 335 466 948 1,145 1,269 1,971 2,038 2,314. 2,623 2,669 ,973.68 ,073.61 469.70 724.10 982.34 457.90 696.52 096.40 899.64 ,641.28 ,937.26 CONCLUSION In concluding this report, sincere appreciation is extended to the Canadian Medical Association (British Columbia Division), the British Columbia Pharmaceutical Association, the British Columbia Dental Association, the Vancouver General Hospital, the British Columbia Cancer Institute, the Children's Hospital, the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, and all the many other organizations throughout the Province, which are too numerous to fist here, but which in the past ten years have assisted in a magnificent manner to promote the interests of those people receiving welfare services. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 69 PART III.—INSTITUTIONS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS I beg to submit the annual report for the Brannen Lake School for boys for the period ending March 31st, 1957. Fiscal Year Number in School, April 1st Number A.W.O.L., April 1st Number in Oakalla, April 1st Number in Crease Clinic, April 1st Number on extended leave, April 1st Number of new admissions Number of recidivists Total number of admissions Percentage of recidivism Number of releases Number A.W.O.L., March 31st Number in Oakalla, March 31st Number on extended leave, March 31st Number in Crease Clinic, March 31st Number on special leave, March 31st Number in the School, March 31st-— Average daily population Total inmate-days Average length of stay in months Total A.W.O.L.'s during the fiscal year 56 2 1 129 29 158 18.4 119 7 3 95 7 3 3 102 23 125 18.4 126 14 1 95 74.6 27,295 5.5 (2) 89 86 31,408 89 14 1 3 86 25 111 22.5 126 13 79 13 130 26 156 16.7 128 15 1 104 15 1 104 19 3 79 81.7 29,808 10 (2) (2) I 104 82 30.011 (2) (2) 121 31 152 20.4 146 19 3 118 23 141 16.3 155 4 1 101 4 1 2 4 105 17 122 13.9 119 15 2 96 15 2 2 171 32 203 15.8 126 9 19 33 131 9 19 33 143 24 167 14.4 212 1 C1) 17 129 1 C1) 17 222 40 262 15.3 237 2 3 1 104 84.3 30,865 (2) (2) 101 100.6 36,721 9 281 96 102.4 37,383 9.5 432 131 101.9 37,198 (2) 239 129 137.6 50,371 8.3 124 14 152 144 52,576 7.7 156 1 The former practice of transferring boys to Oakalla was discontinued. 2 Not recorded. During the fiscal year there were 222 admissions and 40 readmissions, making a total of 262 admitted to the School. There was a 15.3-per-cent rate of recidivism. Nine of the forty readmissions were committed for the third time. One hundred and seventy- two of the boys admitted were Protestant, eighty were Roman Catholic, and ten were of other religions or not recorded. Forty-five of the total number of boys admitted during the year were of native Indian status. Range of Age on Admission Number Age of Boys Age 9 years 1 14 years.. 10 „ 1 15 „ _ 11 „ 4 16 „ .. 12 „ 13 17 „ _. 13 „ 36 The average age on admission was 14.53 years. Number of Boys ._ 71 __ 70 .. 46 __ 20 S 70 BRITISH COLUMBIA Supervising Agencies of Boys Admitted Social Welfare Branch Provincial Probation Branch Vancouver luvenile Court Victoria luvenile Court Children's Aid Society Number of Boys 53 120 48 19 9 7 Catholic Children's Aid Society Family and Children's Service 2 Child Welfare Division 2 British Columbia Penitentiary 1 None 1 Of this number, eleven were wards of the Superintendent of Child Welfare, nine of the Children's Aid Society, seven of the Catholic Children's Aid Society, and three of the Victoria Family and Children's Service. Twelve of the thirty wards committed were recidivists. The 262 boys admitted were committed from the following luvenile Courts:— Agassiz Alberni 3 2 Alert Bay 13 Burnaby 10 Campbell River 2 Castlegar 2 Chilliwack 9 Cloverdale 17 Coquitlam Municipality _ 2 Courtenay 3 Cranbrook 3 Creston 1 Dawson Creek 1 Duncan 4 Fernie 1 Fort St. lames 2 Fruitvale 2 Golden 1 Grand Forks 1 Greenwood 1 Haney 4 Hazelton 1 Hope 2 Kamloops 1 Kelowna 2 Kitimat 2 Ladysmith 1 Lake Cowichan 3 Mission City 4 Nanaimo 3 Nelson ... 1 New Westminster 5 North Vancouver 3 Oak Bay 1 Osoyoos 2 Penticton 3 Port Alberni 2 Port Coquitlam 1 Prince George 5 4 2 1 1 1 4 1 Prince Rupert Princeton Powell River _ Queen Charlotte City __. Revelstoke Richmond Rossland Royal Oak 3 Sechelt 8 Sidney Sumas Summerland Terrace Trail Langley ... Lumby Lytton Masset Merritt 3 1 4 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 Vancouver 59 Vernon 5 Victoria .. . 19 West Vancouver 4 Williams Lake 5 Transfer from British Columbia Penitentiary.... 1 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 71 Boys were not in all cases residents of the area served by the luvenile Court which committed them to the School. Of the 262 boys committed to the School during the year, 212 were committed for offences against property, seven offences against persons, and forty-three for other offences, which included incorrigibility. Of the 222 new admissions during the year, fifty-six of the boys were never tried on probation but were committed to the School on their first appearance before the Court. There were 237 boys released from the School during the year. The average length of stay of boys released during the year was 7.7 months. S 72 BRITISH COLUMBIA FINANCIAL STATEMENT, 1956-57 Salaries $212,801.88 Office expense 6,158.99 Travelling expense 1,545.55 Heat, light, power, and water. 22,980.46 Medical services 8,958.25 Medical supplies 1,371.91 Clothing and uniforms 15,017.05 Provisions and catering 58,246.96 Laundry and dry-goods 11,990.62 Equipment and machinery 1,308.36 Maintenance of buildings and grounds 5,724.42 Transportation 2,852.98 Maintenance and operation of equipment 2,320.30 Incidentals and contingencies 3,914.88 Repairs to furnishings and equipment 303.11 Training programme expense 5,179.12 $360,674.84 Less— Board $3,771.00 Rent 1,458.90 Transportation 388.90 Received from Workmen's Compensation Board 288.73 Transfer from Inmates' Trust Account 1,094.34 Sundry credits 622.31 7,624.18 $353,050.66 Less maintenance receipts 1,156.60 Net expenditure as per Public Accounts $351,894.06 Salaries and expenses $360,674.84 Less credits 7,624.18 $353,050.66 Less increase in inventory— Inventory as at March 31st, 1957 $ 14,347.78 Inventory as at March 31st, 1956 12,455.50 1,892.28 $351,158.38 Plus Public Works expenditure 41,579.55 Cost of operating School, 1956-57 $392,737.93 Per capita cost per diem: $392,737.93-h-52,576=$7.47. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 73 I wish to thank all staff members, clergymen, service clubs, and other organizations, including other departments of government, both municipal and provincial, private agencies and other individuals who have shown an interest in the boys of the School by helping the School with its programme of rehabilitation. The School is greatly indebted to all these persons, and their assistance has been appreciated by the administration of the School. Respectfully submitted. F. G. Hassard, Superintendent. S 74 BRITISH COLUMBIA INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS The forty-third annual report of the Provincial Industrial School for Girls, covering the fiscal year ended March 31st, 1957, is herewith submitted. During the year there were seventy-one admissions, with eleven of these, or 15.49 per cent, being recidivists. This is an increase of one in admissions and a drop of 4 per cent in recidivists over the previous year. While there has been no marked increase in admission, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of girls actually in the School. During the last month of this year we reached an all-time high of sixty- nine, with a total, including those out without leave, of seventy-eight. The only other time when the population of the School reached the sixty mark was in 1932, when the Doukhobor girls were housed here. This increase in population is, to a great extent, due to the decrease in run-aways—a direct result of the progress plan which sets any run-away's progress toward release back two months. Of the eleven recidivists, six were amongst the group released this year and were readmitted only a few weeks after being released. This could indicate a need for a different kind of plan for a number of our girls when they leave the School; these same girls have experienced very little trouble at any time in functioning well within the limits of the institution. The ages on admission of the seventy-one girls were as follows:— 12 years old None 13 years old i 7 14 years old 12 15 years old 17 16 years old 14 17 years old 21 This indicates 49.2 per cent, or almost half of the admissions, have passed their sixteenth birthday at the time of committal. An interesting study has been done by our social workers on the backgrounds of these seventy-one girls. Ten were born out of wedlock. The status of their parents at time of committal may give some indication of the emotional trauma each had suffered. Twenty-three came from homes which, on the surface, appeared normal, with both parents in the home, but the history indicated a variety of problems and misunderstandings in each. The parents of eleven girls had been divorced, and in ten cases one or both parents had remarried or entered into a common-law relationship, giving the child two sets of parents; evidence shows that the girl does not wholly belong in either home. It is heart-breaking to see her attempting to form a close relationship with both. One couple divorced and both died. Seventeen girls belonged to parents who had separated, and of this group five mothers and one father were living in common law, three had both parents living in common law, and one deserted mother was in receipt of Social Allowance. Fifteen girls had lost one parent through death, and in this group two mothers and three fathers had remarried, and five mothers were living in common law. The mothers of five girls were unmarried, three living in common law, one whereabouts unknown, and one deceased. It is known that the mothers of three of our girls spent a period in this institution in their teens, and one of our girls, while she is unaware of it, actually spent the first three months of her life in the third-floor nursery at 800 Cassiar in the days when unmarried mothers returned from hospital with their babies to the institution. During the year there were fifty-five girls released, and the length of time in the institution increased from 8.5 months in the previous year to 11.6 months this year. It is anticipated that the longer period may make it possible for our " graduates " to give a better account of themselves when they return to the community. However, even with the increased probation services, there is still a gap between the concentrated REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 75 support while in the institution and, in most cases, a complete lack of support from any agency when they return home. Twenty-two girls were released to both parents; three to one parent and step-parent; one to her husband; one to relatives as a ward of the Superintendent of Child Welfare; one transferred to The Woodlands School and released as a ward of Family and Children's Service; one to a work placement as a ward of the Superintendent of Child Welfare; two under the supervision of the Indian Department; one to the welfare authorities, Quebec; twelve to foster homes as wards of children's agencies; ten released unconditionally, over 18 years old. In closing, I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to senior administration, and particularly our Deputy Minister for his support and encouragement at all times, and especially during the trying days of April, 1956, to all staff for their co-operation and interest shown in their work, and to all our many friends in the community who have given so generously of their time to assist us with our programme. S 76 BRITISH COLUMBIA STATISTICAL STATEMENTS Population of School, March 3 1st, 1957 On roll, April 1st, 1956 62 Girls admitted during April 1st, 1956, to March 31st, 1957 71 — 133 Officially released 51 Transferred to other institutions with subsequent official release from Girls' Industrial School 2 Transferred to another Province and officially released 2 — 55 Total unreleased, March 31st, 1957 78 Financial Statement, 1956-57 Salaries $107,648.41 Office expense 2,223.11 Travelling expense 949.11 Office furniture and equipment 12.78 Heat, light, power, and water 6,316.04 Medical services 3,757.43 Medical supplies 1,502.18 Clothing and uniforms L_ 2,919.09 Provisions and catering 16,710.24 Laundry and dry-goods 509.31 Good Conduct Fund ' 1,102.69 Equipment and machinery 1,149.02 Maintenance of buildings and grounds 2,707.29 Transportation 2,011.07 Maintenance and operation of equipment 818.27 Incidentals and contingencies 596.81 Vocational and recreational supplies 1,865.84 $152,798.69 Less— Board $519.00 Sundry refunds 117.51 636.51 Expenditure as per Public Accounts $152,162.18 Plus inventory, April 1st, 1956 7,467.52 $159,629.70 Less inventory, March 31st, 1957 6,154.63 $153,475.07 Plus Public Works expenditure 8,809.97 Cost of operation of School, 1956-57 $162,285.04 Per capita cost per diem: $162,285.04h-16,871=$9.62 Respectfully submitted. (^g) WlNIFRED M UrqUhart, Superintendent. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 77 PROVINCIAL HOME, KAMLOOPS I am pleased to submit herewith the annual report of the Provincial Home for the Aged and Infirm, Kamloops, for the fiscal year 1956-57. BUILDINGS The Public Works Department completed painting the interior of the buildings—that is, all wards and rooms which were not decorated the previous year—and a start was made on the renovation of the exterior of the Home by the demolition of several tall and unused chimneys. HEALTH SERVICES As recorded in previous reports, the general physical and mental condition of new inmates follows the same pattern. The majority, upon admission, require hospitalization or sick-ward care immediately for major or minor medical care. The Irving Clinic continues to provide adequate and efficient medical and surgical services. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR APRIL 1st, 1956, TO MARCH 3 1st, 1957 Expenditures for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31st, 1957 Salaries $92,609.80 Expenses— Office expense 520.92 Heat, light, power, and water 4,005.38 Medical services 5,573.45 Clothing and uniforms 1,263.06 Provisions and catering 33,293.30 Laundry and dry-goods 7,760.66 Equipment and machinery 216.84 Medical supplies 2,536.71 Maintenance of buildings and grounds 1,082.56 Maintenance and operation of equipment 307.30 Transportation 830.68 Incidentals and contingencies 1,062.99 Burials 1,680.00 $152,743.65 Less— Board $1,329.00 Rent 523.75 1,852.75 $150,890.90 S 78 BRITISH COLUMBIA Inmate-days Inmates in the Home, April 1st, 1956 124 Inmates admitted during the year 70 194 Inmates discharged 44 Inmates deceased 24 68 Total number of inmates, March 31st, 1957 126 Total number of inmate-days 45,064 Summary Provincial Home expenditure $150,890.90 Public Works expenditure 13,458.31 Total expenditure $164,349.21 Cost per diem: $164,349.21 ^-45,064=$3.64701 Pensions Pensions paid to Government Agent, Kamloops $56,916.22 Reconciliation Net expenditure as per Public Accounts $97,386.79 Add maintenance receipts— Pensions $56,916.22 Municipalities 6,431.73 Other collections 755.31 64,103.26 $161,490.05 Add Public Works expenditure 13,458.31 $174,948.36 Less pensioners' comforts $7,262.81 Less proportion of Tranquille Farm disbursements over receipts 3,336.34 10,599.15 Total expenditure (as above) $164,349.21 Respectfully submitted. J. M. Shilland, Superintendent. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 79 WELFARE INSTITUTIONS BOARD I herewith submit the annual report of the administration of the " Welfare Institutions Licensing Act" for the year 1956. LICENCES The total number of cases dealt with in the year was 937. Of these, 569 were licensed welfare institutions and 368 were pending applications. During the year 79 licensed welfare institutions closed and 253 pending applications were withdrawn or cancelled. As of December 31st, 1956, the case load totalled 605, made up of 490 licensed welfare institutions and 115 pending applications. In 1956 licensed welfare institutions gave some service to 32,094 persons. BOARD MEETINGS The Welfare Institutions Board met eight times during the year to attend to matters of business coming within the jurisdiction of the " Welfare Institutions Licensing Act." On recommendation of the Board, a committee, with the Chief Inspector as chairman, was set up to redraft the general regulations and those regulations relating to welfare institutions for the care of the aged. This committee included members from Vancouver, Victoria, Saanich, New Westminster Welfare Department and Public Health Department. WELFARE INSTITUTIONS FOR CHILDREN A. Full-time Care of Children Institutions for Child-care There were 141 fewer children cared for in institutions in 1956, and the days' care was considerably reduced. One of the oldest institutions for boys closed during the year. Each of the nine licensed institutions gives special services to children. St. Christopher's, a residential school for twenty retarded boys, continues to improve its programme. Also, more staff was added during the year. This school now receives a financial grant toward its operation from the Association for Retarded Children of British Columbia. St. Euphrasia is a school for emotionally disturbed and pre-delinquent girls ranging in age from 12 to 15 years. Staff is carefully chosen, and it is planned, in the near future, to add a psychiatrist to help with the training programme. Admissions to the school are carefully screened, and only those girls who can benefit from the programme are accepted. At the present time, admissions are limited to girls who are in the care of child welfare agencies. All licensed institutions continue to improve both in programme and staff, and admission policies are strictly adhered to. Only children needing the service offered by the institutions are admitted, and no children are accepted simply because the parent or parents wish to rid themselves of the responsibility. These institutions have capable and interested boards of administration which are co-operative. These institutions use the services of both the local and Provincial welfare agencies, such as the Children's Aid Societies and Child Guidance Clinic. Number of institutions licensed in 1956 10 Number of children cared for 516 Total days' care 89,678 S 80 BRITISH COLUMBIA Private Boarding Homes Licensing of private boarding homes for children is done in co-operation with the two Children's Aid Societies in Vancouver and the Family and Children's Service in Victoria. Our own district workers are responsible for these homes in their rural areas. By means of licensing, private boarding homes are controlled and the standard of child- care has greatly improved. Number of children's boarding homes licensed in 1956 59 Number of children cared for 171 Total days' care 38,058 B. Day Care of Children Foster Homes for Day Care Foster day care in Vancouver is under the supervision of the Foster Day Care Association. This agency provides day care for the children of mothers who must of necessity work to support the family. Rates are kept at a minimum, and in many cases where the mothers are unable to meet the full cost, the agency helps her do so. By supplying this day-care service, the agency helps families stay together. In other areas of the Province where there is no special agency set up to provide day care, the homes licensed for this purpose are under the supervision of a child welfare agency or the Provincial Social Welfare Branch. Number of foster day-care homes licensed in 1956 33 Number of children cared for 237 Total days' care 19,628 Kindergartens, Play-schools, etc. In this Province there has been much development in the field of pre-school education. Training is available to persons interested, no matter where they may live in the Province. The Adult Education Departments of the Vancouver School Board and the Victoria College Evening Division give courses in pre-school education, and the Extension Department of the University of British Columbia offers an excellent correspondence course. The pre-school organizations held a successful conference in the fall and were responsible also for various workshops, which were well attended. The new College of Education is interested in pre-school education and has set up an advisory committee to study this field. The Chief Inspector is a member of this committee. All who have been active in the pre-school education field are looking forward to the time when the College will assume the responsibility for the training of teachers for both public and private schools. During the year such outstanding persons as Dr. W. E. Blatz, of the Institute of Child Study, Toronto, Ont, spoke to the pre-school organizations. Also, the groups were privileged to hear Mrs. Katherine H. Read, Oregon State College, author of " The Nursery School," one of the prescribed texts of the correspondence course. It is not presumptuous to say that the " Welfare Institutions Licensing Act " has been responsible for the development which has taken place in pre-school education and also the good standards which are being maintained. Number of pre-school centres licensed in 1956 221 Number of children registered 9,636 Total days' care 781,558 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 81 Schools for Retarded Children There were eight licensed schools, with an attendance of 162 pupils. Schools for this group of children have been set up in many parts of the Province through the efforts of parents and other interested persons. Recognizing that free education is the right of every child, no matter what his capacity, the Provincial Government now makes the same financial contribution toward their education as is made for normal children. To be eligible for this grant, the local group is required to be a member of the Association for Retarded Children of British Columbia. Something has also been done by way of training teachers for these schools. Number of schools licensed in 1956 8 Number of children registered 162 Total days' care 21,374 MATERNITY HOMES The three licensed homes are giving a much-needed service as well as a high standard of care. All three homes work closely with the Children's Aid Societies and other welfare agencies. Maywood Home, operated by the Salvation Army, will be replaced shortly as the district in which it is located is now industrial. Plans have already been completed for the construction of a modern building in a good residential district on a large acreage, which will afford the necessary privacy. It is planned to have the building ready for occupancy about the middle of 1958. Number of homes licensed in 1956 3 Number of mothers cared for _■ 278 Number of infants cared for 209 Total days' care (mothers and infants) 26,307 AGED-CARE There are many fine homes for older people operated by municipalities, ethnic and church groups. The " Elderly Citizens' Housing Aid Act " provides for financial grants up to one-third of the cost of construction to non-profit organizations for housing for older people in the lower-income group. This grant can be obtained for either boarding home or self-contained housekeeping units. There is an increasing need for housing of all types for our older people. One of the boarding homes opened during the year was Pleasant View, located at Mission, with accommodation for twenty-eight guests. This is an attractive, modern, well-equipped home planned for comfortable living. Sunnybank, at Oliver, with room for twenty-six persons, and the Odd Fellows' Home in Surrey, with accommodation for forty persons, are nearing completion. A 30-bed private-room addition has been added to St. lude's Home in Vancouver. It is hoped that before too long there will be sufficient accommodation in homes run by non-profit organizations for every older person who would like to live in this type of home. These homes have as their chief object, " service to older people." They are extremely well run, and the staffs have a sincere interest in the well-being of the guests. They are much more than " a roof over one's head." There are still many privately operated boarding homes, and by and large the standard of care and maintenance is satisfactory. We work continually to improve conditions in these privately operated homes, and we think we have had quite a measure of success. S 82 BRITISH COLUMBIA Number of homes licensed during 1956 163 Number of persons cared for 3,645 Total days' care 761,642 UNEMPLOYED ADULTS One new licence was issued for this type of home. It was for the home operated by the Alcoholism Foundation of British Columbia, which is proving an excellent resource as part of the treatment programme for alcoholic men. The home provides a sheltered home atmosphere where both guests and manager understand the problems which must be faced. Here the alcoholic finds time to think, to work out his difficulties, and to make plans for re-entry into society as a useful citizen. The foundation now has plans for opening a similar home for women. The other four licensed homes provide group living for young women and girls who are away from home, and continue to give the same high standard of service. Number of homes licensed during 1956 5 Number of persons cared for 504 Total days' care 17,338 SUMMER CAMPS You may think some day you have quite grown up And feel most worldly wise; But suddenly from out the past a vision will arise Of merry folk with bare brown knees . . . and laughter in their eyes! Each year more interest is being taken in camping, and more people of all ages are enjoying this experience. Camps reported a record attendance, and some camps, in order to accommodate all who wished to attend, had to shorten their camping period. The Provincial departments of health and fire inspect all camps each year to see that standards are maintained and recommended improvements made. The Welfare Institutions office staff works closely with the British Columbia Camping Association in all matters pertaining to camps. This association carries on a continuous educational programme to make the public more aware of the value of camping to persons, regardless of age. A camp directory, with pertinent information on camps, is published annually. Also, institutes for administrators and counsellors are held. This year these institutes were most successful and were well attended. Camping has become popular with many of our older people, and some of the camps are used by this group during the spring and early fall. By all reports, the oldsters enjoy this experience and enter into the spirit of the camp programme. This has been a successful and rewarding year. Number of summer camps licensed in 1956 67 Number of persons cared for 16,736 Total days' care 165,867 CONCLUSION Sincere thanks and appreciation is extended to all who helped with the administration of this Act. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 83 STATISTICAL INFORMATION Table I.—Showing a Comparative Summary of Information Regarding Licensed Welfare Institutions 1953 1954 1955 1956 Children—Total Care (Excluding Summer Camps) Number licensed— Institutions Boarding homes - Capacity— Institutions Boarding homes.. Number of children under care— Institutions i Boarding homes. Number of days' care— Institutions Boarding homes.. Number licensed.. Capacity- Summer Camps Number of persons attending.. Number of attendance days Number licensed- Kindergartens- Children—Day Care Schools for retarded children . Foster day care Capacity— Kindergartens Schools for retarded children - Foster day care- Number of children enrolled— Kindergartens. Schools for retarded children- Foster day care- Number of attendance-days- Kindergartens.. Schools for retarded children- Foster day care Adults—Infirm and Unemployable Number licensed Capacity- Number of persons under care.. Number of days' care Number licensed.. Capacity_ Adults—-Employable Number of persons under care- Number of days' care Number licensed- Women—Maternity Capacity (mothers and infants).. Number of persons under care- Mothers Infants 10 549 126 643 166 140,269 30,553 42 2,642 12,626 118,713 136 29 4,839 183 8,046 Number of days' care.. 324 663,378 26,428 133 1,955 2,874 601,941 4 58 406 15,642 3 116 229 218 25,852 10 50 549 146 657 174 129,976 35,053 50 3,369 13,578 122,693 194 28 5,120 137 8,924 254 712,808 18,201 150 2,222 3,299 664,429 4 58 390 16,825 3 115 219 225 26,240 10 58 500 150 596 189 92,264 37,316 58 3,765 15,861 149,616 222 32 5,295 154 8,640 247 745,563 20,087 167 2,426 3,612 724,980 4 69 411 17,012 3 115 271 201 26,671 10 59 452 142 516 171 89,678 38,058 67 4,214 16,736 165,867 221 8 33 5,637 180 104 9,636 162 237 781,558 21,374 19,628 163 2,510 3,645 761,642 5 75 504 17,338 3 115 278 209 26,307 S 84 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table II.—Case Load Showing the Total Number of Licensed Institutions and Pending Applications, 1956 Licensed Jan. 1, 1956 Licensed in 1956 Licensed Institutions Closed in 1956 Total Cases Licensed at Dec. 31,1956 Licensed Children—total care— 1. Boarding homes- 2. Institutions 3. Camps.-. -' — Children—day-care— 1. Kindergartens... 2. Foster day care.. 3. Schools for retarded children- Aged— 1. Boarding homes 2. Institutions Adults—employable Homes—maternity Totals— 51 10 56 189 28 101 30 4 3 472 11 32 5 30 2 1 97 11 2 33 9 1 79 48 10 65 24 7 108 32 5 3 490 Licensed, January 1st, 1956 . Number licensed in 1956 472 97 Closed in 1956 569 79 490 Carried from January 1st, 1956 . New cases during 1956 106 262 Pending Jan. 1, 1956 New Cases in 1956 Closed in 1956 Total Pending Cases at Dec. 31,1956 Licences Pending Children—total care— 15 1 10 41 6 31 2 46 19 89 27 7 70 3 1 53 1 18 80 23 1 74 2 1 8 2. Institutions 11 Children—day-care— 50 6 Aged— 27 2. Institutions 3 Homes—maternity Totals 106 262 253 115 Closed in 1956 368 253 Total Case Load Licensed Pending . 115 490 115 605 REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 85 MEMBERS OF BOARD The following are the members of the Welfare Institutions Board for 1956:— Chairman: Mr. J. A. Sadler, Director of Welfare. Members: Dr. A. A. Larsen, Consultant Epidemiologist, Department of Health and Welfare; Mr. F. P. Levirs, Chief Inspector of Schools, Department of Education; Miss Ruby McKay, Superintendent, Child Welfare Division; and Mr. A. A. Shipp, Assistant Administrator, Region II, Social Welfare Branch. Chief Inspector: Mrs. Edna L. Page. Respectfully submitted. (Mrs.) Edna L. Page, Chief Inspector of Welfare Institutions. S 86 BRITISH COLUMBIA PART IV.—MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT, DIVISION OF TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL In 1956 the Provincial tuberculosis-control programme in British Columbia was 21 years old, and since its inception there has been a social service department staffed by professionally trained social workers loaned to this Division by the Social Welfare Branch. It has been the prime responsibility of the social workers in the hospitals and clinics of the Division to treat the social and personal problems created or aggravated by the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Previous annual reports have described in detail the various activities of the Tuberculosis Social Service Department, and in the current year the programme has continued, There have been many changes since the Social Service Department of the Division was set up in 1935, and in the next fiscal year there are indications of more changes to come. If, as seems likely, treatment facilities for the tuberculous will be concentrated in the Vancouver area, this will involve a reorganization of the Social Service Department from the Provincial structure that was needed to co-ordinate the work of the Department in the various hospitals of the Division to a more consolidated medical social service department within the Division in Vancouver. During the past year a statement of standards of social-work practice in this medical setting was presented to the administration of the Division of Tuberculosis Control and to senior Social Welfare Branch officials. In this way the Social Service Department of the Division is preparing to adapt itself to the changing emphasis in tuberculosis-control in British Columbia. Respectfully submitted. (Miss) Enid S. Wyness, Provincial Supervisor, TB. Social Service. REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH S 87 PART V.—ACCOUNTING DIVISION The functions of the Accounting Division of the Department of Health and Welfare are to control expenditures, process accounts for payment, account for revenue, forecast expenditures, and prepare the Departmental estimates of revenue and expenditures in their final form. Chart I.—Gross Expenditure by the Social Welfare Branch, Showing the Breakdown into the Main Services Given, 1956/57 Percent Service Administration Institutions Field Service (or Casework service) Maintenance of dependent children Medical Service,drugs, optical, etc. Social Allowances, Mothers' Allowances Old-age Assistance, Blind Persons' Allowances, Disabled Persons' Allowances, and Supplementary Assistance for the aged and handicapped The Mechanical Superintendent and his assistant followed a regular schedule of inspection trips throughout the Province, in order that a close check be kept on the mechanical condition of Government-operated vehicles. Aside from the quarterly inspection of Government cars, stress has been laid on safety measures, with suggestions as to driving vehicles under adverse conditions, such as loose gravel, icy roads, etc. During the year a Research and Statistics Section was set up within the Division to work more closely with the divisions and field offices in the Social Welfare Branch. This Section co-operated in the development of the new system of reporting monthly case-load statistics, which has reduced the month-end work in the field offices. These newly designed reports are forwarded to this Section, summarized for the Province, and distributed to senior Branch personnel and to the regions. The section also co-operated in developing a system of classifying and reporting problems encountered by social workers in the field, and visited various field offices in this regard. S 88 BRITISH COLUMBIA The Chief Clerk in Charge of Welfare Accounting attended the in-service training classes and gave instruction in matters relating to accounting procedures. Chart II.—Main Divisions of Expenditure, 1956/57 Administration 1.7% The Departmental Comptroller visited a number of offices in the South Okanagan and Upper Fraser Valley. During these visits, discussions of problems relating to the field were held. In addition, Accounting Division representatives attended the Planning Council and other Branch meetings. Respectfully submitted. J. McDlARMID, Departmental Comptroller. Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in right of the Province of British Columbia. 1958 960-1257-3237
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Annual Report of The Social Welfare Branch of the Department of Health and Welfare for the Year Ended… British Columbia. Legislative Assembly [1958]
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Title | Annual Report of The Social Welfare Branch of the Department of Health and Welfare for the Year Ended March 31st 1957 |
Alternate Title | REPORT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BRANCH |
Creator |
British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | [1958] |
Genre |
Legislative proceedings |
Type |
Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1958_V03_02_S1_S88 |
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Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Source | Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Date Available | 2017-08-21 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia |
CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0354529 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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