MCFD foster parents, extended family providers, and restricted foster parents within the Vancouver Coastal Region (Richmond, Vancouver & North Shore) and all VACFSS caregivers have access to no-cost, confidential, professional support services.
There are currently four agencies contracted by MCFD to provide this support. These include:
Connexus Child and Family Services
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Hollyburn Family Services
Vancouver Coastal Health – Foundations Program
VACFSS has contracted the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents and Hollyburn Family Services to provide this support.
These agencies provide different levels of support to parents and families. There are various types of support available, including, but not restricted to:
General Services
- Training and education
- 24 hour telephone support
- Relief & respite support
- E-community (information relevant to fostering and parenting)
- Kids up Front (complimentary tickets to quality entertainment, shows and events)
- Foster Parent Express newsletter
- Welcome Wagon for new caregivers
In-Home Family Support
- Behavioural support
- Support navigating the system
- Conflict resolution
- Individualized planning & goal setting
- Advocacy
- Development of report writing skills
- Support at meetings, case-conferences, protocol investigations
In-Home Specialized Support
- Mental health consultation
- FASD education and support
- Specific skill development for children and youth
Accessing Support Services
Caregivers can access general support services themselves by calling 1-877-926-1185 or emailing us .
In-Home Foster Family Support and In-Home Specialized Support Services requireseither a self referral that can be located here http://fosterhub.ca/support/looking-for-support/ or by a referral to be completed by your Resource Social Worker. Once the referral is completed a Family Support Worker will contact you directly to set up an initial meeting.