As a caregiver, there are many networks that you can reach out to for caregiver assistance and support. We’ve compiled a list of caregiver agencies based regionally and provincially that are accredited to provide services and assistance to caregivers.
Helpline for Children
If you think a child is being abused or neglected, you can the 24-hour Helpline toll-free in BC 310-1235 (no area code required).
Provincial Agencies
BC Foster Parents Association
www.bcfosterparents.ca
The BC Foster Parents Association is a provincial organization for foster parents and governed by foster parent representation from all areas of the province. BCFPA is a registered non-profit charity which aims to bring together foster parents, social workers and other stakeholders who are working to improve the standard of care for children in our province. BCFPA provides information to the general public about fostering, recruitment services to Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) and Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies (ICFSA), offer foster parents opportunities for education, and provide direct support to foster parents when they encounter challenges in the work they do. One of their key roles in the province is to advise and consult on the development and revision of policy and practice for BC’s child welfare sector.
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development – MCFD
www.gov.bc.ca/mcfd
The Ministry works together with Indigenous Child and Family Serving Agencies, Indigenous service partners and approximately 5400 contracted community social service agencies and foster homes, cross government and social sector partners to deliver inclusive, culturally respectful, responsive and accessible services that support the well-being of children, youth and families.
Become a Foster Caregiver in BC
www.fosteringconnections.ca
Federation of BC Youth In Care Network
www.fbcyicn.ca
FBCYICN is a youth-driven, provincial, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people in and from government care in BC, between the ages of 14 and 24. They provide programs and services that help young people come together, get individual support, link with learning opportunities, and unite their voice to create positive change in the system. FBCYICN was created in 1993 by young people in care.
The Belonging Network
https://belongingnetwork.com/
The Belonging Network supports the adoption community at all ages and stages through education, counselling, family events, and advocacy.
AgedOut
www.agedout.com
AgedOut.com was developed by the Adoptive Families Association of BC in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks, Content Strategy Inc, and Agentic Digital Media. AgedOut is for young adults who were in government care in BC. It’s an up-to-date warehouse of information on resources and services available to young adults and a learning tool to help people feel empowered as they leave care.
Regional Agencies
Vancouver Island – Serving North and South Vancouver Island
Foster Parent Support Services Society
www.fpsss.com
The FPSS Foster Parent Support Services Society is a CARF Accredited non-profit grassroots organization whose purpose is to administer support and education services to family care network caregivers within the Vancouver Island Region.
Coast/Fraser Region – Serving East Fraser, North Fraser, South Fraser, Vancouver/Richmond, Coast/North Shore
Hollyburn Family Services
www.hollyburn.ca
As well as providing the education services of BC Foster Care Education, Hollyburn has specialized programs that support caregivers who are contracted with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Vancouver Indigenous Child and Family Services Society.
Pacific Community Resources – South Fraser Region
www.pcrs.ca
Referral by Resource Social Worker – PCRS provides in-home consultation, education, and validation through a one-to-one relationship with the caregiver support counsellor on a long term consistent basis. This program also assists foster parents to implement strategies to increase resilience and decrease unwanted behaviours, and help foster parents understanding of the stages of development from childhood to adolescence.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver – Serving Vancouver, New Westminster and Richmond
www.fosterhub.ca
The right support can make all the difference to families who have opened their homes to children in need. Family Services’ Foster Family Support Services and Resource Centre provides consistent and specialized support to foster parents involved with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
SOS Children’s Village – Serving the Children’s Village located in Surrey, BC
www.sosbc.org
Caregiver support is provided based on the individual needs of the caregiver or family. Support is offered through monthly group sessions, home meetings, telephone support and through advocacy efforts. Additionally the SOS Clinical Director and lead SOS Therapist are onsite at the Village five days a week and provide ongoing support for caregivers outside of structured therapeutic work.
Interior Region
Interior Community Services – Serving the areas of Thompson, Shuswap including Merritt
www.interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca
A program to assist foster parents in creating support systems and successfully maintaining children in their care throughout the Thompson/ Shuswap.
Okanagan Foster Support Services – Serving North, South and Central Okanagan and Shuswap
www.okfosterparents.ca
Okanagan Foster Parents Association provides education and support for Foster Parents of the Okanagan, Shuswap and Similkameen.
North Region
AXIS Family Services – Serving Northwest, North Central, Kooteney
www.axis.bc.ca
The Foster Parent Support and Training Program provides support and training/ education to several hundred foster parents in the MCFD North Region, that is from Quesnel and north, including all of northern BC and the Haida Qwaii.
North Peace Community Services – Community Bridges – Serving North Peace
www.communitybridge.ca
The Foster Parent Support program is dedicated to providing support for foster parents. They serve Foster Parents in Fort St John, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd and Fort Nelson areas.