Social Development 

My name is Kay Lavina (nee Swakum) James and I have been the Social Development Worker position since April 2021. I am a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band. I had been the Social Development Worker in the past for Nooaitch half time. I had gone back to school and upgraded my Social Work Skills to the MSW level.

As a social worker, here is some of the things I do as follows:

• I have training in counselling, and provide numerous supportive services that navigate clients to help themselves. I try to encourage clients to help themselves towards independence.
• Through difficult times due to Covid, fire and the flood, I have been supporting Social Assistance clients with funds to sustain them.
• I have been doing the following as well:
• Gathering the community together to learn about family Genealogy in how we're all interconnected and related to each other.
• Liaising and communicating with outside resources such as Scw’exmx Child & Family Services, Scw’exmx Community Services Society, School boards and other organizations in the best interest of clients, children, and members.
• Assist elders with wills, Power of Attorney, Assisted Living, Income tax slips and Applying for OAP, CPP, GIS and other documents for Old Age.
• Keeping social assistance files in order for compliance reviews
• Financial reports of expenditures and providing extra funds each month to the extent that is allowable to alleviate financial pressures.
• Zoom meetings once or twice a month with DIA to learn the latest up to date information for social assistance, Assisted Living and other.
• Providing appliance, firewood and hampers for Social Assistance clients.
• Providing hampers to parents or grandparents who have children in their homes. (who are not on social Assistance).
• Attend court to prevent Nooaitch children from being apprehended.
• I also support parents with their children providing gas Gift cards for child care, shopping and transportation depending on the situation.
• Proposal writing for various needs, and writing the end financial reports.

I would like to have workshops once a month, if possible. This may entail having facilitators coming into the band. Other than this, I am looking forward to revitalizing the community garden this spring which would sustain the Nooaitch band towards self- sufficiency and employment.

My office hours are on all days Tuesdays, Wednesdays and half a day on Thursday mornings.

Kathie is the liaison between the Nooaitch Indian Band (NIB) and the Scw’exmx Child and Family Services Society (SCFSS). Kathie is an advocate and voice for the children, families, and community of Nooaitch in all child welfare matters in the Nicola Valley. Guides families through legal matters, and ensure their voices are heard during all child welfare processes. She supports Nooaitch children, families, and community, and will ensure their dignity, respect, and voices are represented in all child welfare processes.

Kathie supports NIB and community members in prevention activities, which includes: community well being, children and youth programs (sports & recreation) preventative support and intervention, cultural awareness and connectedness, as well as community/seasonal celebrations.