Family Support
Family Support is creating a non-judgmental place where families can find information, guidance, understanding and connections.
Family Support
The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) supports families who have a family member with a disability by connecting them to trained volunteers referred to as “Resource Parents/Peers” (RPs) .
This provincial network supports familiesby sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.
All RPs have a family member with a disability.
Get in Touch
Call 1-800-441-5403
Send Us a Message
What can families expect when they call FSI?
- A warm welcome- FSI is not a closed door.
- A listening, supportive and understanding ear
- Non judgemental and confidential support
- Shared lived experience
- Ongoing support and guidance
- Empathy, compassion and understanding
What can FSI volunteer Resource Parents/Peers do?
- Connect by phone, email or in person
- Guide families to community resources
- Attend meetings; take notes; debrief
- Mentor and coach
- Listen and learn
- Share successes and celebrate families
When to refer a family to FSI
- A family wants to connect with other families
- A family needs support and encouragement from other parents
- A family is struggling and feeling overwhelmed
- A family is in need of advocacy support and guidance
- A family is going through transitions
- A family is looking for support moving through systems
FSI receives a family support request.
Anyone can call for support. Professionals often call FSI to brainstorm ways to best support families in BC.
FSI staff will speak with the family and learn about their needs.
FSI staff and the family will decide the best way to match with a Resource Parent/Peer (RP) based on age, region, diagnosis, experience and others.
FSI staff will make a referral to resources right away.
AND/OR
FSI staff will make a referral to a Resource Parent/Peer (RP).
FSI staff and RP’s can seek guidance from FSI’s Indigenous Practice Advisor at any time for additional support.
A Resource Parent/Peer (RP) calls a family.
Family will get a call within 48-72 hours. Resource Parents/Peer (RP) can share their experiences, guide to resources, mentor advocacy and much more.
Testimonials
The peer-to-peer family support is powerful! Read about what our families have to say about FSI family support!
“Talking to another family member makes a huge difference in feeling less alone, feeling accepted and understood.”
“I will still email the FSI RPwho helped me through those transition years, particularly during high school years.”
“When I first contacted FSI many years ago, I was in crisis and it was so wonderful to talk to another parent who could give me real life advice.”
FSI mentors families to advocate for themselves. FSI WILL:
- Help families build relationships with government/organizations/allies/services providers
- Work with families and community partners to problem solve together
- Sit with families as their voices are being heard
- Help families to understand and move through systems (navigation)
- Help families to understand their rights and the rights of their family members
- Help families understand policy/resources to inform their own advocacy
- Advise government and decision makers of trends/issues families are facing
The Family Support Institute is a rights-based organization that supports the voices of families and people with lived experience of disability. We will highlight issues of significance and concern through surveys, reports and presentations in order to elevate the voices of families and people with disabilities.We do this with 3 main priorities in mind:
- to affect policy change
- to improve services and supports for those who need it
- to raise awareness in community
Top Issues that FSI hears from families:
- Mental Health- no access point for support for both children and adults and/or wait times are too long
- Public Assessments have extremely long waitlist and/or private assessments are extremely expensive creating additional barriers
- Inclusive Education – (lack of) – kids not in school
- Lack of coordination of services – no “case management” or planning support
- Caregiver burnout – feeling tired and done “fighting”
- No diagnosis = no services
- Limited funding (adult and child)
- Families feeling pressure/being offered to put kids in care when they ask for essential supports their families need
- Housing – no choices/options
- Transition – issues around who does what (when)
- Lack of respite supports – no access to caregivers
- Child protection – families reach out to professionals(CYSN) for help and child protection cases are opened
- Waitlists- children aging out of early intervention supports before accessing services
- Long wait times for services
