October 16-17, 2026
The Inn at Laurel Point
Event Itinerary
October 15, 2026 (Thursday)
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM – Welcome Reception and Wellness Evening (30-minute spa treatment for caregivers)
October 16, 2026 (Friday)
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM – Breakfast and Registration
8:45 AM to 9:00 AM – Territorial Welcome and Opening Prayer
9:15 AM to 9:45 AM – Keynote
10:00 AM to 12:15 PM – Morning Workshops
12:15 PM to 1:15 PM – Lunch
1:15 PM to 4:15 PM – Afternoon Workshops
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Crafting Therapy Workshop
October 17, 2026 (Saturday)
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM – Breakfast and Registration
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Annual General Meeting
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Banquet Dinner, Dance, and Fundraiser
About the Workshops
Morning Workshops – Mini Sessions
10:00 AM to 12:15 PM
Infant/Child CPR with First Aid presented by Alert First Aid
This two-hour hands-on training session will prepare participants to recognize and treat infant illnesses and injuries, including mild and severe choking, infant/child CPR, childhood fevers, infant seizures, poisoning, allergic reactions, and injury/illness prevention.
Topics include: preparing to respond; responding to emergencies; airway emergencies (choking); breathing emergencies (choking); breathing emergencies (CPR); childhood fevers; infant seizures; poisoning; allergic reactions; and prevention practices.
About Alert First Aid
Alert First Aid was founded by Jaimie Pierson in 1998. Today, Alert First Aid, continues the commitment to providing the best first aid training. They strive to provide their students with an interactive and engaging learning environment, and their instructors are dedicated to helping students become proficient in first aid and emergency care.
Conflict Prevention & Resolution for Foster Caregivers presented by Dr. Evan Hoffman (The Conflict Doctor)
In this engaging, highly practical workshop, Dr. Evan Hoffman equips participants with proven strategies and tools to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts effectively within family and caregiver environments.
Designed specifically for foster caregivers, kinship caregivers, social workers and support agency workers, the session
addresses the unique challenges common in these settings.
By the end of the 90-minute workshop, participants will be able to: identify early warning signs of conflict and apply proactive
prevention strategies; use proven communication tools to de-escalate tense situations; apply interest-based problem-solving approaches tailored to family and caregiver contexts; navigate difficult conversations with greater confidence and emotional intelligence; and implement immediate, practical techniques that improve relationships
About Dr. Evan Hoffman
Evan Hoffman, PhD is a conflict resolution specialist with deep roots in the social services and human support fields. Trained in
psychology and crisis intervention, he has spent more than two decades helping individuals and organizations navigate highstress situations with empathy, clarity, and respect. His early work in personal support and community-based services shaped a career-long commitment to understanding human behaviour and promoting emotional safety in complex environments.
Today, Dr. Hoffman combines his experience as an educator and practitioner to help others build resilient relationships and manage
conflict constructively. Whether working with front-line staff, managers, or community leaders, he focuses on developing the
skills and confidence people need to respond to conflict with compassion and effectiveness.
Afternoon Workshops – Half-Day Sessions
1:15 PM to 4:15 PM
The Business Side of Fostering presented by Renata Bonthoux and Marna Forsyth
Do you want to understand your role, responsibilities, and rights (from a
business perspective)? Then this course is for you! The Business Side of Fostering aims to provide foster caregivers with information relevant to all self-employed contractors with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies. We will cover: The ins and outs of your contract; Family Care Home Investigation (protocol) and Quality of Care Review processes; What (and why) to document and report; insurance, taxes, and WCB for caregivers; resources; and more!
About Renata Bonthoux
Renata holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Child and Youth Care Diploma and a Brief Systemic Family Therapy Diploma. She
has been with Interior Community Services for the last 18 years with her first 8 years spent supporting high-risk youth and
supervising visits between families and children/youth. Her combination of education and experience have provided the necessary
skills and enhanced her ability to effectively facilitate training, support situations requiring difficult conversations, navigate
contracts, and advocate for caregivers.
About Marna Forsyth
Marna holds a Bachelor of Education and is the Saskatchewan representative for the Family Advisory Council with CANFASD.
She has been providing education and training to caregivers for the last 10 years. Marna is passionate about providing support to
those who care for our most vulnerable children and youth. Marna also uses her skills and experience to empower caregivers,
social workers and other community professionals through collaborative learning with the Caregiver Learning Network.
Supporting Youth in Care Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) presented by Beckham Ronaghan
This interactive three-hour workshop is designed for foster caregivers, and child and youth professionals supporting youth who experience symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or significant emotional dysregulation. Workshop participants will build a foundational
understanding of BPD while learning practical Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills they can use in the moment to respond to emotional escalation, intense reactions, and challenging behaviours.Participants will develop effective strategies for validation, de-escalation, emotion regulation, and boundary setting.
Participants will leave with skills they can immediately apply to strengthen relationships, reduce conflict, and support youth with greater confidence and compassion.
About Beckham Ronaghan
Beckham Ronaghan (they/them) is a social worker in private practice on WSÁNEĆ territories (Victoria, BC). They have worked
across a variety of settings, including community mental health, crisis response, hospitals, and youth services, supporting
individuals with complex mental health needs.
Since 2020, Beckham has specialized in working with youth and adults experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) through weekly Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills groups and individual DBT-informed therapy. They are passionate about equipping both clients and caregivers with practical, evidence-based skills that foster emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and build resilience. Beckham has witnessed the transformative impact of firsthand and is committed to making these skills accessible to those supporting youth in their everyday lives.
Meet Our DJ!
DJ PTK: Multi-Award-Winning Party DJ
This Music has always been an important element of Paul aka DJ PTK’s life. With both parents being heavily involved in music growing up, he couldn’t help but fall in love with music.
Looking ahead, while attending Bishop’s University on a basketball scholarship, Paul took classes such as “The Art of Listening” and “Musical Studies” while working to obtain his B.B.A. Paul would DJ at house parties and often help DJ at the university pub. Asa music enthusiast, by 1998 his CD collection was well over 5000!!!
In 2010, Paul started a party and event company called Party Crashers which has two large stores in Victoria. With the stores a success, Paul has now had the opportunity to do what he loves….DJ and help people have a good time.
With 22 years of customer service along with a love for music and the ever evolving aspects of DJ lighting and equipment, Paul has gone full steam ahead into the industry under the name DJ PTK. With the business models of “Affordable without compromise” and “The service will speak for itself”, Paul looks forward to helping people make memories, one track at a time.
IMPORTANT: Please read before filling out the registration form.
REGISTRATIONS: Please submit one form per attendee. This form is also available in a fillable PDF version. All registration forms must be received by the BCFPA Provincial Office by September 30, 2026.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Accommodation and parking are NOT included in the registration fee. Book your stay at the Inn at Laurel Point before September 11, 2026 to receive BC Foster Parents Association’s discounted room rate of $235/night for a standard guest room. To book use this link .
CANCELLATION and REFUND POLICY: Refunds (minus a $20 cancellation fee) will only be made for cancellations received in writing to office@bcfosterparents.ca by September 30, 2026. You are welcome to name an alternate participant. There will be NO refunds for non-attendance.
CHILDCARE: Childcare is not provided for the AGM and Conference Event.
FOOD ALLERGIES & SENSITIVITIES: We make every effort to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities in our menu choices, however we cannot guarantee the hotel is able to provide well balanced meals or menus for those who have more specialized dietary needs.
BURSARY RECIPIENTS: Accommodation and travel arrangements are not made or paid for by BCFPA on behalf of any attendees. Bursary recipients are responsible for making their own arrangements and can expect to receive a bursary cheque to reimburse these expenses (not included for attendance only bursaries) when checking in at one of BCFPA’s registration tables during the event.