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History
The
North Shore Adults Support Network brings together
individuals and community agencies to share information on
how to assist and support adults who are abused, neglected
or self-neglecting and are at increased risk due to age, physical
or mental disability, gender, ethnic/cultural background,
socio-economic status or other condition that influences or
affects their choices. The North Shore Adults at Risk Support
Network grew out of a 1997 series of public discussions on
the North Shore held in anticipation of the Adult Guardianship
Legislation and focussed on the question of how to respond
effectively to issues of adult abuse, neglect and self-neglect.
In 1998 the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee of BC
(www.trustee.bc.ca)
began funding a part-time coordinator for the network. In
2002, as a direct consequence of lobbying efforts by the Network,
Vancouver Coastal Health created a part- time position for
an Adult Abuse and Neglect Consultant. Today the North Shore
Network is one of the leading community response networks
in British Columbia. It is comprised of more than 40 individuals
and organisations (Members)
including community service providers, interested community
members, and representatives from the designated agencies
legally mandated to inquire into and respond to situations
that meet the criteria of the Adult Guardianship Act.
NSAARSN is also a part of the wider provincial network of
CRNs which can be accessed at http://www.bccrns.ca. In 2006, the Network adopted a unique collaboratively hosted model that ensures all adults at risk are represented. Download collaborative model PDF
In 2008, the Network changed it's name to North Shore Adults Support Network and is in the process of updating all its materials.
Goals
The goals of the North Shore Adults Support Network are to:
- Raise awareness of adult abuse, neglect and self-neglect in the community
- Develop community, agency and inter-agency protocols to provide appropriate responses to situations involving adult abuse, neglect and self-neglect
- Build relationships between members of the Network so that they are a resource and support for each other
- Provide education, prevention and intervention for those who are unable to do so for themselves.
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Statement of Principles
Members of the Adults Support Network agree to the following principles:
- All adults have the right to the basic requirements of life.
- All adults have the right to self determination
- All adults have the right to privacy.
- All adults have the right to confidentiality.
- All adults have the right to access community support to maximize their quality of life.
- All adults should receive the most effective, but least restrictive and intrusive, form of support, assistance and protection.
- The court should only be asked to appoint decision makers as a last resort.
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