Adoptive Families Association of BC

AFABC supports the adoption community at all ages and stages through education, counselling, family events, and advocacy.

Phone Number: 1-800-ADOPT-07

Website: http://www.bcadopt.com

Autism Society of BC

Their mission is to promote understanding, acceptance and full community inclusion of people with autism in British Columbia, while providing support for the realization of the rights and informed choices of individuals with autism and their families

Phone Number: 250-714-0801

Website: http://www.autismbc.ca

BC Centre for Safe School & Communities

The BC Centre for Safe Schools and Communities (CSSC) promotes safe, nurturing, and inclusive schools and communities for children and youth. The work of CSSC is accomplished through both formal and informal partnerships with practitioners and other community partners who share CSSC's commitment to providing research, evidence-informed approaches, and resources that support safe, healthy, and socially responsible schools and communities. The Centre also houses a free specialized lending library.

Phone Number: 1-888-224-7233

Website: http://www.ufv.ca

Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island (Family Resource Programs)

Family Place is a facilitated drop-in program for children birth to six years and their parents/caregivers.  It has been running successfully at the Chase River Club since 2010 and at the Lantzville Club since 1994.

Parents/Caregivers learn different ways to play with their children and build on these experiences and their relationship with their child. The program gives children early experiences interacting with their peers and opportunities to learn new skills such as sharing, conflict resolution, large and small gross motor skill development and creative expression.

Parents have access to community resources, pamphlets, parent magazines, workshop and support group information. The facilitator arranges for monthly guest speakers such as a community nutritionist, dental hygienist and speech and language pathologist.

Website: http://www.bigscvi.ca

Phone Numbers:

Family Place:250-754-3215

Chase River: 250-753-2464

Lantzville: 250-390-4001

Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island (Parent-Child Mother Goose)

As parents and family support professionals, we all want to connect with young children to support their social, cognitive and emotional development.  

And it doesn’t have to be difficult. 

It can all start by focusing your attention on your infant or toddler though the simple interactive power of story and song. 

As a national program, Parent-Child Mother Goose has been helping families and professionals across the country enhance the parent-child relationship for more than 20 years. And here, in British Columbia, the BC Council for Families is proud to continue that tradition of excellence. Locations include Chase River and Lantzville.

Website: http://www.bigscvi.ca

Phone Numbers:

Chase River: 250-753-2464

Lantzville: 250-390-4001

Vancouver Island Crisis Society

The Vancouver Island Crisis Society is committed to providing an accessible, 24-hour, telephone crisis and suicide prevention, intervention service, including postvention programs. They aim to provide emotional support during times of crisis, information about community resources, education intended to promote community wellness, and reduce the incidence of suicide. They value the principles of confidentiality, non-judgemental acceptance, respect for diversity, personal empowerment, and cooperation.

Phone Number: 1-888-494-3888

Website: http://www.cvics.ca

Family and Youth Support Services- Ladysmith Resource Centre Association

The Family Support Program is an intervention program designed to address familial stress and to reduce the requirement for child protection intervention in those families who have been approved by the Family & Youth Support Services Screening Committee. The target population is children 5 to 12 years of age and at high risk of being removed from the family home by MCFD. The behaviours would be of severe nature, including being at risk to self or others and isolation. At the discretion of the screening committee services may be provided to children outside the set age-range.

Phone Number: 250-245-3079

Website: http://www.lrca.bc.ca

Family Support Institute of BC

Family Support Institute of BC is a provincial non profit organization which provides support to families and individuals with disabilities (diagnosed or not) through a volunteer peer mentor model. These volunteers are referred to as “Resource Parents” (RPs) and are located throughout the province.  All RPs and FSI staff have a family member with a disability. They connect with families to:

• provide emotional support
• share their expertise and experiences
• help families research and access resources
• assist families to navigate systems
• participate and support families during meetings
• educate, mentor and train families
• and much more!

This peer mentoring model connects families to each other thereby building relationships, reducing isolation, and increasing individual capacity.  FSI does not advocate but mentors and supports families to advocate for themselves. FSI’s supports and services are free to any family.

Provincial office tel:  604-540-8374  

Toll free: 1-800-441-5403

Website: www.familysupportbc.com

Foster Parent Support Services Society

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.

Working cooperatively with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Foster Parents, the FPSS Society shares the responsibility for providing meaningful Education, Support and Networking opportunities to Foster Parents in our fostering community.

They work to establish a nurturing environment for caregivers - "A Supportive Culture" - that empowers the foster parents of the region to become involved, and increases their caregiver competency, awareness and accountability.

Phone Number: 250-390-9686

Website: http://www.fpsss.com

Gabriola Island Hope Centre

The HOPE Centre is a family of special services created and managed to meet the needs of the people of Gabriola Island. The Hope Centre’s family of services is housed in two buildings: The Hope House and the Hope Centre. Each offer a variety of programs and services to children, youth and adults on Gabriola, programs and services whose aim is "hands on prevention and education,” offering islanders hope for a better tomorrow through qualified and professional services. These special services and resources are made available to families and individuals to support them in making healthy lifestyle choices.

Phone Number: 250-247-8730

Website: http://www.gabriolahopecentre.com

Haven Soceity and Transition House

Haven Society’s mission is to promote the integrity and safety of women, children, youth and families and the development of a respectful and healthy community.  As a leading anti-violence organization operating from feminist principles, Haven Society will achieve this mission by providing a range of services, public education and advocacy.

Phone Number: 250-756-2452

Website: http://www.havensociety.com

Help Line for Children

Know a Child Who Needs Help?

If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local police.

If you think a child is being abused or neglected, you can call the 24-hour Helpline for Children toll-free at 310-1234 (no area code is required).

Anyone Can Call:

Children
A child who is being abused at home, at school, in the play ground - anywhere - can call for help.

Parents

Parents who are afraid they might hurt their child can call for help.

Community Members

If you know a family where a child is being abused, call the Helpline. You can call anonymously.

Phone Number: 250-310-1234

Website: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca

Immigrant Welcome Centre

Each year the Immigrant Welcome Centre at the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society welcomes hundreds of new immigrants from over 50 countries around the world – and almost as many different languages! With specialized programs, services and supports for newcomers, we help make the transition to a new life in Canada a little easier.

Do you need help to get settled in Nanaimo, to learn English, or to find a job? They can help!

Phone Number: 250-753-6911 

Website: http://www.cvims.org

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is a Canadian and world leader known for our expertise and continuous innovation as Canada’s only 24/7 counselling and information service for young people. Since 1989, their trained, professional counsellors have been listening to kids, often when no one else can or will. They are always there – supporting young people wherever and whenever they need it most.

Their free and anonymous service supports young people as they build the skills and abilities they’ll need to improve their emotional health and well-being. In addition to an array of counselling options, they offer young people a wide range of online resources and we work tirelessly to share young people’s perspectives on a societal level – locally, nationally, and globally.

Phone Number: 1-800-668-6868 

Website: http://www.kidshelpphone.ca

Kw'umut Lelum Child & Family Services (Family Support Services) 

Kw'umut Lelum endeavors to enhance the well-being and resiliency of the communities by providing information, education and providing preventative services. The Support Services Program provides services that may include, but are not limitted to, the following:

1  services for children and youth 

2  counselling

3  in-home Support

4  respite care

5  parenting programs, and

6  services to support children who witness family violence

Kw'umut Lelum understands that all services are provided on a voluntary basis while fully acknowledging that it is the parent that best knows what services may meet their child's or family's needs.

Some services are offered directly to the family at their home while other services may provide substitution care for a child outside the family home.

Phone Number: 250-591-0933 

Website: http://www.kwumut.org

Ladysmith Resources Centre Association  

Adventures in Early Literacy

Adventures in Early Literacy sprung out of the Mother Goose program. Many parents and caregivers took notice of the benefits of the Mother Goose program and wanted a program that met the needs of preschool aged children and that continued to promote socialization and early literacy skills for children.
Each week is based on a different children’s story with age appropriate crafts, games, snacks & songs. During the session of the program, parents sit in a circle on the floor with their children, and are actively involved during craft and snack time in the kitchen. They begin with songs, then read a book, have a game, do crafts, have a snack, and end with songs once more.

Born Healthy Prenatal Program

Born Healthy provides education and support for pregnant women and new mothers. Particular emphasis is on developing a healthy lifestyle in order to have the healthiest baby possible. Born Healthy provides nutrition education (including prenatal nutrition, breastfeeding and infant feeding), counseling, mental health education, parenting information and promotes of self-care practices. Born Healthy provides food vouchers, prenatal vitamins and bus tickets for those who need financial assistance. Social support is an important part of Born Healthy.

Every Wednesday we have a drop-in time from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The morning includes a discussion topic, guest speaker or activity, we then serve lunch, which is free to all participants, and a Public Health Nurse visits for information sharing, checking baby weights, and is available for questions. These drop-in times help make meeting new people possible and are a chance to share your parenting experiences.

Ladysmith Dads' Drop-in Program

This is a drop-in event for new dads and their kids that takes place on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A breakfast is served from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; activities and discussion follow from 11-12 noon. It offers new dads a chance to practice new ways of relating to their children, to meet other new dads, and to share information about fathering and parenting in a very low-pressure format.

Family Support Program

The Family Support Program is an intervention program designed to address familial stress and to reduce the requirement for child protection intervention in those families who have been approved by the Family & Youth Support Services Screening Committee. The target population is children 5 to 12 years of age and at high risk of being removed from the family home by MCFD. The behaviours would be of severe nature, including being at risk to self or others and isolation. At the discretion of the screening committee services may be provided to children outside the set age-range.

Mother Goose

The Mother Goose program has three sessions per year with ten classes per session, winter, spring and fall.  The sessions are an hour and a half long.  The Toddler (15 months to 2.5 years) Program begins at 9:45 am and the Infant ( 0 to 15 months) Program begins at 12:45 pm.  Classes take place on Thursdays at 630 2nd Avenue.  Snacks and refreshments are supplied.  There is a suggested donation of $15 to help keep program costs to a minimum and allows us to continue offering it in the community.  Space is limited and registration is required. 

LRCA Counselling Program

This is a free program designed for those who cannot afford to pay for private counselling or do not qualify for (or have) extended health services. All counselling services are provided by trained volunteers under the supervision of our Program Coordinator, John R. Parker who is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology.
Referral to the program can be made through family doctors, mental health specialists and/or self referrals. Simply contact the Ladysmith Resources Centre at 250-245-3079 to schedule an assessment. This assessment is valuable to ensure the best match with a volunteer counsellor.

Phone Number: 250-245-3079

Website: http://www.lrca.bc.ca 

LaFF Ladysmith Family and Friends Resource Program

LaFF is a resource program for families and caregivers from all Ladysmith and surrounding areas with children up to the age of 6 to have a supportive, enriching, safe, and inclusive community environment where they will meet to promote the development of nurturing, healthy, and happy families

Phone Number: 250-210-0870

Website: http://www.familyandfriends.ca

Little Ferns

Little Ferns Early Learning Centre provides infants, toddlers and preschoolers the right to grow and learn in a safe, nurturing, high quality early years setting, teen parents the right to be supported as they learn to parent and work towards graduating, and seniors the right to participate by sharing their wisdom and time in their community.

Parent Child Mother Goose Program:

This is a fun, interactive 10 week program of songs, fingerplays and oral stories, with a quick snack break, for parents or grandparents and young children ages baby to 30 months. Call for dates and registration. You do not have to have a child at Little Ferns to be part of Mother Goose with us!

Young Parents Program
Are you a young parent who has had your first baby before your 20th birthday and you have not officially graduated with your grade 12 diploma? You may qualify for a Y.P.P. *Young Parent Program. These special childcare (daycare) programs offer a teen or young parent up to full subsidy to cover childcare fees when joining Little Ferns Early Learning Centre. And with our different community programs, support and resources, you can partner with School District # 68, V.I.U. or Tillicum to graduate!

Phone Number: 250-753-1783 

Website: http://www.littleferns.ca

Ministry of Children and Family Development

The Ministry works together with Delegated Aboriginal Agencies, Aboriginal 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. The primary focus is to support vulnerable children and their families using a client-centred approach to service delivery that builds on the family’s existing resources and capacities. Services are delivered in a respectful, compassionate, strengths-based and culturally appropriate manner to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Ministry services are complementary and families may access a combination of services delivered through: Early Years Services; Services for Children and Youth with Special Needs; Child and Youth Mental Health Services; Child Safety, Family Support and Children in Care Services; Adoption Services and Youth Justice Services.

Phone Number: 250-741-5444 

Website: http://www.gov.bc.ca/mcf 

Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre

The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre (NAC) recognizes the traditional territory of the Coast Salish nations upon whose territory they work, live and play.

NAC is a community organization with a focus on early childhood development that acknowledges the critical importance of supporting healthy human development in the early years. 

Phone Number: 250-754-3215

Website: http://www.nanaimoaboriginalcentre.ca

Nanaimo Child Development Centre

The Nanaimo Child Development Centere promotes optimum child development by serving children with developmental needs and their families. Their vision is an inclusive community where children and youth with developmental needs, and their families, are able to achieve their potential without experiencing barriers. Families are supported to ensure their children are happy, successful, accepted by their peers and contribute to their community with the gifts they bring.

Services provided by the Child Development Centre are based on the philosophy that children have the right to quality services, which facilitate their optimum development and that early recognition and prompt intervention can enhance a child’s ability. In family centered programs, all policies and practices are based on an underlying set of principles regarding our relationships with families:

Phone Number: 250-753-0251 

Website: http://www.nanaimocdc.com 

Nanaimo Community Hospice

Dying, caregiving, and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges.  Nanaimo Hospice believes that everyone struggling with these challenges regardless of age, means or culture deserves support. With compassion and dignity, our volunteers and professional staff offer free programs, resources and education to our community when and where it is needed most.

Phone Number: 250-758-8857 

Website: http://www.nanaimohospice.com

Nanaimo Justice Access Centre

The Nanaimo Justice Access Centre is the place to come when you need help with family and civil law issues that affect your everyday life. 

Phone Number: 250-741-5447

Website: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/nanaimo 

Nanaimo Family Life Association

Nanaimo Family Life Association is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with a proud history of providing services that have touched individuals and families throughout all stages of life and across all backgrounds.

Their programming is designed to address the unique needs of the individual and offered in an atmosphere of respect, inclusion and compassion.  Those that access theri range of services are provided the opportunity to look to their own inner resources and to the community they are part of in order to reach the fullness of their potential.

Phone Number: 250-754-3331

Website: http://www.nflabc.org 

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Circles

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Support Circles are anonymous, confidential self-help groups offering weekly or bi-weekly meetings and other activities organized by trained volunteer facilitators. GRG Support Circles help grandparents and others raising a family member’s child learn positive parenting by providing them with a safe atmosphere in which to share their stories and stresses, learn new skills, receive emotional support and discover services and resources. The Circles strengthen the first link in a chain that connects positive caregiving with healthy children, and help healthy families build strong communities.

Phone Number: 1-877-345-9777

Website: 

http://www.parentsupportbc.ca/grandparents.html 

Nanaimo Family Resource Programs

Nanaimo Family Resource Programs provide Supported Access Program for families with children in MCFD care, intensive family support services such as in-home family support as well as family group conferencing.

Phone Number: 250-753-2177 

Website: http://clbc.cioc.ca/record/CLB8004 

Nanaimo Men’s Resource Centre

They offer support and referrals to men in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of their lives. We strive to promote connections with partners and families. We want to promote community awareness regarding men and men’s issues. They help men and women with family court divorce separation, custody, and access issues. They also help support men and women in learning to communicate and enrich existing relationships.

Phone Number: 250-716-1551 

Website: http://www.nanaimomen.com 

Nanaimo Women’s Centre

The Nanaimo Women’s Centre is committed to diversity throughout the agency. It works continually to reduce barriers or obstacles and to create an environment that promotes inclusion, acceptance and participation without regard to ethnicity, ancestry, age, socio-economic background, religion, sexual orientation, family status, or disability. They offer criteria free low barrier/harm reduction services. Individual differences are respected and valued. To ensure their services are free of barriers, fair and equitable treatment applies to all aspects of employment including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, placement, training and development, promotion, compensation, benefits, termination and the work environment. Standard practices are compliant with applicable Canadian Human Rights legislation.

Phone Number: 250-753-0633 

Website: http://www.nanaimowoman.com 

Nanaimo Youth Services Association

The overriding purpose of NYSA services is to provide social support to vulnerable, ‘at risk’ youth for the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. Every program service offered is free and incorporates an effective element of basic life skills, practical employment readiness training and health education features that assist in equipping youth to participate and be fully included in the life of community.

Direct services to ‘at risk youth’ has become more sophisticated over time due to new research and evidence carried out on youth as a Population Health group from a Resilience and ‘Successful Transitions to Adulthood’, literature perspective.

Phone Number: 250-754-1989 

Website: http://www.nysa.bc.ca 

NARSF Programs Ltd. (Nanaimo and Area Resource Services for Families)

NARSF is a multi-service agency that delivers child, youth, family, and harm reduction services on Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Our services are provided through funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Services and programs through NARSF include: Living in Families with Teens (a parent-teen counseling program), the Family Therapy Program, Eating Disorders and Sexual Abuse Intervention Program, Mental Health Outreach for children and youth, Transitions Withdrawal Management and Stabilization Program, and CVI Harm Reduction Services for individuals at risk to blood borne diseases. Pre post HIV testing is available on a drop in basis. 

Phone Number: 250-754-2773 

Website: http://www.narsf.org

PacificCARE Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR)

·          Provides free child care referrals and child care information to parents

·          Offers support in pursuing a career in child care

·          Assistance with completing child care subsidy forms

·          Child care workshops and training opportunities

·          Drop-in play groups

·          Free online computer access

·          Quarterly newsletter

·          Toys, equipment, books and lending library

·          Access to laminating and photocopying

Phone Numbers:

Toll Free: 1-888-480-2273

Nanaimo: 250-756-2022

Website: http://www.pacific-care.bc.ca

Parent support Services Society of BC

Their mission is to protect the safety and wellbeing of children and promote the health of families by providing support, education, advocacy, research, and resources to those in a parenting role.

Phone Number: 1-877-345-9777 

Website: http://www.parentsupportbc.ca 

People for a Healthy Community (Gabriola)

People for a Healthy Community, is a federally registered charity and Gabriola’s only social service not-for-profit community organization. They support isolated and marginalized residents by operating food-related programs including the weekly food bank, as well as community-oriented programs under the Circle of Care umbrella. Over 200 individuals and families are helped by PHC every month.

Phone Number: 250-247-7311 

Website: http://www.phc-gabriola.org 

RAINBOWS Children's Grief and Support  Group

RAINBOWS is a support group program for children who have suffered a significant loss in their lives; either by death, divorce, or some other painful event. This program is a peer support group led by trained volunteers who are screened by a trained Site Coordinator. The children are separated into small groups according to their age and situation. Children, adults and all volunteers agree to confidentiality, which forms the basis of trust within the peer group. Program available in Nanaimo and Ladysmith.

Phone Numbers: 

Nanaimo: 250-751-7888

Ladysmith: 250-245-8921 

Website: 

http://www.rainbowsnanaimo.blogspot.com

Snuneymuxw Centre

The Health Departments objective is to support adults, elders, children, and families who live on reserve by providing preventative services and advocacy. The primary work of the Health Centre focuses on Children and Youth, Mental Health and Addictions, Primary Health Care, Chronic Illness Prevention, Communicable Disease Control, and Environmental Health and Management

Phone Number: 250-740-2337 

Website: http://www.snuneymuxw.ca 

Intertribal Health Authority (SOAR Mentoring Program)

The SOAR Program works with women who are either pregnant or parenting a baby up to the age of six (6) months when they start working with their mentor. Women entering the SOAR Program are usually from or connected with an ITHA community and may have experienced concerns with alcohol or other substances, trauma, housing, mental health issues, or involvement with the Ministry for Children and Family Development (MCFD).

Phone Number: 250-753-3990 

Website: http://www.intertribalhealth.ca 

Stz’uminus Health Centre

The Stz’uminus Health Centre provides programs and services to maintain and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the Stz’uminus band and community members.  This includes physical health as well as mental and social health.  Their services are designed to cover prenatal clients to Elders, with  programs consisting of community health, mental health and home care. The doors are generally open between 9am and 4 pm Monday to Friday.  Feel free to come in any time to enquire about our programs and services.

Phone Number: 250-245-8551 

Website: http://www.cfnation.com 

Tilicum Haus Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Offers educational and training programs, health and counselling services and social services programs as well as a wide variety of support groups and special events and activities for children, youth, women, men, families and the community. 

Health Programs: 

- Community Health Program (nurses, medical insurance not required) 

- STD and HIV/AIDS Testing and Support 

- Diabetic Support 

- Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Worker 

Phone Number: 250-753-6578 

Website: http://www.tillicumlelum.ca

Triple P Positive Parenting Program

It is up to you as a parent to decide which values, skills and behaviours you want to encourage in your child and to develop your own approach to dealing with your child’s behaviour.

Triple P is helpful for many parents, making it easier and more enjoyable.

Whether you want a quick tip on how to handle a specific problem, or you want some ideas on how to promote your child’s development, or you have more complex family issues, a Triple P trained practitioner in your community can tailor Triple P to suit your needs.

Website: http://www.triplepvip.ca 

Vancouver Island Crisis Society

They are a registered non-profit agency whose services include 24-hour crisis lines (providing crisis intervention, information, and resources); crisis chat and crisis text services; regional support of Suicide Bereavement Support Group meetings; Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshops, training in schools with youth and teachers; and various workshops and customized training addressing suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and communication skills for individuals and agencies throughout our communities.

Phone Number: 1-888-494-3888 

Website: http://www.vicrisis.ca

Island Health

Island Health provides health care to more than 765,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands of the Georgia Strait, and in the mainland communities north of Powell River and south of Rivers Inlet.

Website: http://www.viha.ca 

 Brooks Landing - Crisis Counselling Clinic

Walk-in single session crisis counselling is offered Monday through Friday from 10am to 6:15pm. No appointment is necessary. Services are offered to all ages free of charge.

Phone Number: 250-739-5710

Website: http://www.viha.ca 

Vancouver Island Suspected Child Abuse and  Neglect (VI SCAN) Program

The Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Program offers care, support and assessment to children and adolescents who may have been abused. The Program is made up of a team of health-care professionals (paediatricians, nurse practitioners, psychologists and social workers) who work closely with children and their families. The SCAN Program provides a link between SickKids and community doctors, community hospitals, Children's Aid Societies, Police, schools and community agencies.

Phone Number: 250-755-7945

Website: http://www.viha.ca 

Welcome Wagon

Welcome Wagon is a Canadian-owned, free greeting service for families experiencing a lifestyle change. They greet people who are undergoing lifestyle changes with a friendly visit including moving to a new neighbourhood, planning a wedding, expecting a baby, a new executive, manager or professional or 50 plus

Phone Number: 250-756-9794

Website: http://www.welcomewagon.ca