The Foster Support Team

Alison Pillar, Hollyburn Family Services

Alison graduated with a BA in Psychology from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario in 2009. While completing her degree, she worked independently with individuals and families requiring various forms of specialized support. Allison enthusiastically joined the Hollyburn Family Services team in 2008 as a one to one worker in a behavioral support program for adolescents with Autism. Allison is passionate about her current role as a Foster Family Support Worker where her responsibilities include coordinating the Welcome Wagon packages that are delivered to new foster families, as well as providing direct in-home and community support to foster families who have been referred to the Foster Support Program.

In Allison’s spare time she enjoys taking her dog for long walks in the park, practicing yoga, spending time with loved ones, getting cozy with a good book, and furthering her education.”

Holly Fiddes, Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Holly has been working with the Foster Support Program for 5 years. Holly completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology & Psychology as well as her Bachelor of Social Work, with a focus on child welfare. Holly admires the hard and great work that foster parents do on a daily basis and recognises the positive impact fostering has within our communities. In addition to supporting families directly Holly also works on developing the fosterhub.ca website and believes that it is an important space for the foster parent community to come together to support and engage with each other at any time of the day!

Lyndsay Sieger, Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Lyndsay has worked with individuals and families for the past 15 years with much of her work experience in the area of trauma, family systems and parenting education. She currently facilitates workshops for the FSGV Family Life Education Program and has recently joined the foster support team as a counsellor with Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Welcome Lyndsay!

Bernie Foyle, Hollyburn Family Services

Bernie was born and raised in Ireland and has been in Canada about 28yrs but still calls Ireland home. She has 2 children, or “fabulous young adults”, Carmen 21yrs and Brendan 18yrs. Before coming to Hollyburn Bernie worked in a variety of settings within the childcare field in Vancouver and Ireland, as well as nursing in England.

Bernie contracted with MCFD and ran a “first-time in care” home for youth, as well as several other homes for adolescents in Vancouver. Bernie has worked with Hollyburn for close to 10yrs and has worked in various programs within the agency, 6 years of which have been with the Foster Support Program.

Bernie’s responsibilities encompass many different and varied parts, including the 24hr Foster Support line, supporting Foster Parents going through Protocols, advocating for foster parents with MCFD & VACFSS by attending different meetings as needed, as well as organizing the 53hr Foster Parent Education Program for Vancouver Coastal & the Fraser Valley. Bernie manages the respite apartment for foster parents in downtown Vancouver, partners with Kids Up Front to distribute tickets for free events for all foster families, as well as organizing the annual summer barbeque and Christmas Party, connecting with new foster parents and helping to distribute the Welcome Wagon to all of them.

Bernie explains that her job is never boring and for this is the reason she enjoys it so much. She feels privileged to have met and worked with amazing foster families over the years and continues to do so.

Jocelyn Rock, Hollyburn Family Services

Jocelyn has dedicated herself to working with children, youth and families since 1985. Trained as an Early Childhood Educator in 1985, Jocelyn continued her education, completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Work at the University of Victoria in 1988. Jocelyn has experience in a variety of settings and with diverse populations. Her experience includes family support, hospice care, day programs, outreach with high risk street entrenched youth, special education, family treatment camps, youth detox, parent training /education programs, autism intervention in both the direct client service capacity as well as in a leadership role.

Currently, Jocelyn is providing in-home support to foster families as well as to those family members who take over the parenting role in the lives of children who are relatives. Jocelyn is well acquainted with this role as she herself has been a foster parent for both VACFSS and MCFD for the last 12 years to youth with complex mental health issues, autism and other special needs.

Lori Rose, Coordinator, Hollyburn Family Services (HFS)
Lori has been employed with HFS for 20 years in various capacities. Her career started with Hollyburn as a front line worker, as well as a residential working for 4 years and then in a  Supervisors position for 3 years. Lori coordinated a 15 bed Parent Counsellor Program for 6 years prior to her current position. She has been a foster parent for children affected by mental health issues, children with life threatening illnesses and other complex behavioral concerns. Lori is the proud parent of a 9 year old son, 2 gerbils and a cocker spaniel named Buddy.

Lori feels very lucky to be working with an extremely dedicated, skilled staff team and foster parents who continue to put in their heart and souls into providing care to out most vulnerable children.

Jocelyn Barratt, Hollyburn Family Services
Jocelyn is one of the newest members of the Hollyburn Foster Family Support Team and currently is responsible for in-home support and coordinating support groups. Prior to coming on board in February of 2010, Jocelyn completed her Bachelors of Social Work and worked for more than 10 years in a recreation capacity with families and children with special needs. Since moving to Vancouver 2 years ago, Jocelyn enjoys walking her 3 dogs with her fiancé and attending local music and poetry events.
Colette Barker, FACES, Vancouver Coastal Health
Colette has worked with children, families and caregivers for over twelve years including child protection and mental health, some of which was working within First Nations communities. Colette is currently a mental health clinician for the Foundations program and the Boundaries Program with Child and Youth Mental Health in Vancouver. Through the Foundations Program, Colette provides in-home support to caregivers caring for children with mental illness. Colette is currently on leave until January 2012
Tim Darvell, FACES, Vancouver Coastal Health

Tim moved from Ottawa in 1992 (after working in Child Protection) to Kelowna where he joined the Central Okanagan Child & Family Resources Society. In 1995 he moved to the lower mainland and worked in various roles as an outreach counsellor/teacher with the VSB and in 1997 joined Child & Youth Mental Health Services in Richmond full time.

In 2004 Tim went back to school completed his Diploma in Guidance Studies from UBC and his Masters in Counselling through UVIC in 2005. After working in Richmond for 10 years he obtained a position with FACES in the Foundations Program in 2007 where he provides foster parent support for those facing mental health issues. Passions include gardening, motorcycling, travel and working part time in the PRYD program for Family Services of Greater Vancouver on the weekends as an Integrated Support Worker.

Holly McLean, Registered Psychologist, Connexus Family And Children

Holly is a Registered Psychologist and the Clinical Manager for Connexus Family and Children Services, and South Vancouver Youth Center.  Holly provides clinical supervision to the agencies’ Clinical Assistant, Family Support Counsellor, FASD Key Worker and Family Therapists.  She also provides individual assessments and therapy for youth clients and support to foster parents as needed.

Shannon Maga, Connexus Family and Children Services Shannon is an FASD Key Worker with Connexus Family and Children Services and the South Vancouver Youth Center. Shannon has BSc from the University of Western Ontario. Through the Key Worker Program Shannon provides in home support to foster parents who care for youth diagnosed with or suspected of having FASD or other CDBC behaviour challenges and supports in case management with clinical consultation from Registered Psychologist Dr. Holly McLean, . Shannon is originally from Ontario and has worked with at risk youth for 8 years.