A Day on Drugs – Conference for Drug Awareness for Youth on Vancouver Island
Wednesday, May 15th, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Queen Alexandra Centre
2400 Arbutus Road, Victoria
Cost: $60.00
Lunch and refreshments provided
Please join the nurses of the Pediatric ICU at Victoria General Hospital as they present the conference…
This conference is focused on bringing awareness about drug use and treatment options for youth on Vancouver Island.
“Designer Drugs” – the toxicological effects of these drugs on the human and how to identify the user
Wayne Jeffery
“Beyond Safe Babies” – A discussion of the lifelong challenges faced by children exposed to drugs in utero
Angela Hatch
Case studies from the PICU
Dr. Amanda Barclay
A brief overview of contemporary treatment approaches and information on accessing resources currently available on Vancouver Island
VIHA Youth Addiction Services
Click here to view the poster for this event.
Click here for the registration form for this event.
Pitipan’s Swing Workshop
Wednesday, May 1st, Time TBA (All Day)
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
231 Regina Avenue
Facilitated by Holistic Practitioner Darlene Auger, Cree
“An Indigenous Nurturing and Spiritual Healing Experience to be swung is to be recognized in a spiritual way, to be nurtured in a healing way, and to be loved in a sacred way.”
The Native Traditional Healing Swing was born out of a powerful vision that spoke about the essence of love that is needed to bring healing to all people.
Presented in Partnership with Surrounded by Cedar, Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, Hulitan Social Services Society and Foster Parent Support Services Society.
To register please contact Janet Christie at sicoord@fpsss.com or 778-430-5460.
To view this article click here
New funding to speed up adoptions for children in care
VICTORIA – A new online adoption education program and training for social workers in effective recruitment techniques will help children in care find permanent homes faster.
The Adoptive Families Association of BC (AFABC) is receiving $290,000 from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to develop an online Adoption Education Program – a preparatory program that all prospective adoptive applicants must complete. Currently, the program is administered by social workers but, by offering the educational component online, social workers will have more time to complete home studies. This will increase the number of families and individuals approved to adopt children and teens.
Home studies involve a series of interviews and discussions between adoption social workers and prospective adoptive applicants. Home study assessments focus on adoptive applicants’ strengths and parenting skills so kids are matched with the families and individuals best able to meet their needs.
As well, AFABC will train adoption social workers in recruitment techniques that actively engage British Columbians who might not have considered adoption but have specific skills that would make them ideal parents for a child or teen with complex special needs. Presently, the focus is on prospective adoptive parents who have already shown an interest and begun the adoption process on their own.
AFABC will also use the funding to assist in preparing teens for adoption and provide post-placement supports, such as counselling and enhanced parenting skills, for families and individuals once matches are made.
Cowichan Tribes’ Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem Child and Family Services agency has received $15,000 in funding for recruitment of foster and adoptive parents for Aboriginal children and to raise awareness about the need for permanency in Aboriginal communities. Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem is the only delegated Aboriginal agency in B.C. and the second in Canada to take on full responsibility for adoption planning within their Aboriginal community.
In the past five years, more than 1,400 children in care have found permanent families through adoption. However, the need for more adoptive families continues as more than 1,000 children in care in B.C. are still waiting for a permanent family.
Quotes:
Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -
“We are committed to increasing the number of adoptions, raising awareness and prompting open conversations about children who are waiting to join loving and secure homes through adoption. This funding will provide advanced training for adoption workers, help educate adoptive families and increase cultural awareness so we can get kids into permanent homes and reduce the amount of time they spend in care.”
Karen Madeiros, executive director, Adoptive Families Association of BC -
“We commend the ministry for providing these dollars, which will ensure that waiting children and families come together more quickly. I’d also like to acknowledge the hard work that ministry social workers do every day, and we look forward to building improved services with them this year.”
Lise Haddock, executive director, Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem Child and Family Services -
“We are excited about receiving this one-time-only funding and about being able to provide venues for adoption and permanency planning within the Aboriginal community. Stronger partnerships need to be built between the ministry and the Nations to start bringing our kids back home, and it is encouraging to see the ministry recognizing adoption and permanency as a greater priority.”
Quick Facts:
Learn More:
For more information on adopting in B.C., please go to:
To find out more about the Adoptive Families Association of BC, please visit: www.bcadoption.com
Contact:
Sheldon Johnson
Manager, Media Relations
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639
Infant Caregiver Support Group – New Location!
Thursday, April 25th, 10:00am to 11:30am
FPSS Society Office, 145-735 Goldstream Avenue
Come out and network with other infant caregivers.
This is a group where you can bring your babies, 24 months and under. For more information, please contact Janet Christie at sicoord@fpsss.com or at 778-430-5459.
Dr. Karyn Purvis DVD Video Showing
Facilitated by Kathy Baird, Foster Parent
Wednesday, April 24th, 9:30am to 12:30pm
FPSS Society Office, 145-735 Goldstream Avenue
Dr. Karyn Purvis and colleague present on the most up-to-date research-based interventions for at-risk children who come from “hard places.” Topics addressed include attachment, trust-based parenting and sensory disorders.
To register, please contact Janet Christie at sicoord@fpsss.com or at 778-430-5460.
First Aid Course for Foster Parents
Monday, April 22nd, 6:30pm to 10:00pm
3130 Jutland Road (Old Burnside School)
Do you remember how to perform infant or child CPR?
Is your first aid certification current?
FPSS Society has organized an evening session with Alert First Aid for this Basic First Aid Course, including Infant CPR.
$50 per person (includes a manual and a 3 year certification)
To register, contact Janet Christie at 778-430-5459 or sicoord@fpsss.com.
Send cheques made out to FPSS Society to hold your spot.
Upon successful complettion, FPSS Society will reimburse you $25.00
Coffee/Support Mornings
Wednesday, April 17th, 9:30am to 11:30am
MCFD Office, 345 Wale Road, Youth Room
Please join us for snacks and good conversation! This is a great opportunity for foster parents to support and network with each other on a regular basis.
Free on-site babysitting provided.
Foster Parent/MCFD Resource Partnership Meeting
Monday, April 15th, 9:30am to 11:30am
MCFD Office, 345 Wale Road
This is an opportunity for foster parents to meet with Resource Social Workers and be informed of Ministry updates, staffing changes, policy changes, and to have their questions answered. Free on-site babysitting provided.
