by Michelle Relevante | Apr 11, 2024
Join us for an online information circle on new Provincial Court Rules and Child, Family and Community Service Regulations in British Columbia
Together with the British Columbia Foster Parents Association, the Ministry of Children and Family Development is offering Information Circles for caregivers to introduce the new Provincial Court Rules and Child, Family and Community Service Regulations in British Columbia. These changes have been made to enable implementation of new sections of Bill 38 that change the Child, Family and Community Services Act which have come into force January 15, 2024.
The below listed Information Circles will provide caregivers with information on how to support Indigenous children and youth as they transition from care under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) to an Indigenous authority.
- Wednesday, May 8, 2024 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm PST
- Thursday, May 9, 2024 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm PST
- Tuesday, May 14, 2024 10:00 am to 11:00 am PST
Please use the registration form below. We will email you the Zoom information at least one week prior to the session.
by Michelle Relevante | Apr 10, 2024
We’re excited to announce that BC Foster Parents Association’s Provincial Community Strategist (Director of Advocacy) is now in place. The Strategist’s goal is to work in partnership with MCFD to address the obstacles we see and to advocate for streamlined practices within our fostering community. Please join us in welcoming Amanda Oliver to our team!
Read their letter of introduction for further information.
Amanda will be joining us at AGM 2024 in Penticton. We look forward to seeing you there!
by Michelle Relevante | Apr 4, 2024
BC Foster Parents Association is excited to hold our 57th annual AGM & Conference in Penticton, BC from October 4th, 2024 through October 5th, 2024.
Book your stay at the Penticton Lakeside Resort for BCFPA’s 2024 AGM & Conference before September 15th, 2024 to receive our discounted rate of $195/night for a King or Two Queen Cityview room.
Please follow the link to book rooms directly with the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Center.
For stays outside of the group’s room block dates, guests will have to contact the Hotel directly by phone (1-800-663-9400) or by email (lakeside@rpbhotels.com) and identify themselves as members of the BCFPA to receive the special guest room rate. All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card.
by Michelle Relevante | Jan 3, 2024
Foster parents, get your continuing education hours! Registration is now open for our free, full-day workshops in Burnaby, Parksville, Kelowna and Prince George.
JANUARY 25, 2024 (THURSDAY) – BURNABY
Executive Suites Hotel and Conference Centre (4201 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby) from 8:00AM – 3:00PM
Cultivating Resilience and Helping Children and Teens Thrive through Secure Attachments
Caring for children can be a daunting endeavor at the best of time. Yet even more challenging can be caring for children who have had a background of separation from primary caregivers, may have experienced wounding or trauma, may have special support needs, neurodiversity, or other challenges experienced in their lifetime. Although extremely rewarding, foster caregivers may face a host of emotional and behavioral challenges from the children and teens in their care. Through a developmental lens, Colleen Drobot will uncover the roots of anxiety, and aggression as well as oppositionality and defiance in children. She will help make sense of how attachment is meant to unfold, how foster caregivers can provide a secure attachment, cultivate resilience, and confidently handle the challenges their foster children and families may face. She will also recommend some safe practices that can create more security and build relationships for children and teens. Through stories, examples, and theory, Colleen will suggest ways in which foster caregivers can help support children to find psychological and emotional rest in their world.
Speaker: Colleen Drobot
Colleen Drobot is a registered professional counsellor who provides therapy for adults and offers parent consulting using a developmental, attachment-based approach. She was teacher with over 20 years’ experience working with children in the regular classroom. She also specialized in supporting children with neurodiversity. She is an adjunct faculty member of the Neufeld Institute and has worked with Dr. Gordon Neufeld for many years. Colleen is a mother of two and draws from her personal as well as clinical experience to support parents and professionals in gaining insight, opening their hearts, and leading by their intuition.
Credentials:
- B.Ed., Dip. Of Special Education, M.A.
- Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC)
- Adjunct Faculty, Neufeld Institute
FEBRUARY 22, 2024 (THURSDAY) – PARKSVILLE
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre (1155 Resort Drive, Parksville) from 8:00AM-3:00PM
Co-Regulation: Supporting Children and Teens in the Moment while Caring for Ourselves
Join us for our interactive workshop, “Co-Regulation: Supporting Children and Teens in the Moment while Caring for Ourselves,” tailored exclusively for BC Foster Parents by Mary Klovance, RCC, MA, BEd. Over the course of 4.5 hours, our comprehensive session aims to deepen your understanding of co-regulation and arm you with practical strategies for fostering supportive environments. Beginning with a warm welcome and icebreaker, we’ll delve into the fundamentals of co-regulation, exploring its significance in the unique context of fostering. We’ll navigate the challenges of the foster care environment, emphasizing trauma-informed care and the vital role of co-regulation. Through dynamic discussions and hands-on activities, you’ll learn the basics of co-regulation, enhance relationship-building skills, and practice practical techniques. With a dedicated focus on self-care, we’ll debunk myths surrounding it, guide you in identifying personal triggers, and assist in crafting personalized self-care plans. The workshop culminates in real-life application, encouraging participants to integrate co-regulation into their parenting practices. We invite you to be a part of this transformative experience, fostering not only the well-being of the children and teens in your care but also nurturing your own resilience and self-care practices.
Speaker: Mary Klovance
Mary Klovance, the Owner and Clinical Director of The Neurodiversity Family Centre, brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her work. With a background shaped by her lived experience as a person with ADHD, Mary is a passionate advocate for Neurodiversity Affirming practices. Over her 12-year career as a school counselor and five years working with youth-at-risk for Victoria’s Youth Empowerment Society, she has honed her approach, guided by the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model. Mary’s dedication extends beyond her practice, as she serves as a board member for the Institute of Neurodiversity’s new Canadian chapter, contributes to the Greater Victoria School District Accessibility Advisory Group, and actively engages as a local public speaker. Mary’s goal is to educate and empower both youth and adults through a strength-based lens, fostering understanding, validating experiences, and guiding individuals toward success defined on their terms.
Credentials:
- MA, BEd, BA
- Registered Clinical Counsellor
- ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)
- ADHD-Certified Educator (ADHD-CE)
- Board member of the Institute of Neurodiversity Canada
MARCH 7, 2024 (THURSDAY) – KELOWNA
Ramada by Wyndham Kelowna Hotel & Conference Center (2170 Harvey Ave, Kelowna) from 8:00AM-3:00PM
Suicidality and Trauma
The focus of this workshop is to provide an understanding of the complexity of Suicidality and Trauma and address how cultural awareness can have a large impact on youth wellness. The hope is that foster parents can garner a deeper understanding of how to address both suicidality and trauma, de-mystify the concepts, and provide confidence on how to address these within their own homes and families.
Trigger and Content Warning: We acknowledge that each of our attendees comes to the workshop with their own unique life experiences. This contributes to the way you perceive various types of information. This workshop will cover a variety of topics which you may find triggering, or mentally or emotionally challenging. We encourage you to take the necessary steps for your emotional safety. This may include leaving the room while a certain topic is being discussed or seeking support.
Speaker: Sebastien Jordan, RCC
Sebastien is a counsellor based out of Kelowna with a vast experience working with youth and families. His specialization is in Parent-Child Interactions which aims to look at dynamics between children and their caregivers to address both behavioural and mental health related concerns. A large focus of this work targets parenting style, communication, and structure within the family unit.
Sebastien began his career working in residential live-in programs focusing on the stabilization and assessment of youth. He has worked in both long-term and short-term group home settings, working with government and non-government organizations to give families necessary supports to provide their children with a safe and supporting environment.
APRIL 16, 2024 (TUESDAY) – PRINCE GEORGE
Prestige Treasure Cove Hotel (2005 Cariboo Highway, Prince George) from 8:00AM-3:00PM
Creating Safe(r) Spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth
This workshop is intended to help give foster caregivers the knowledge and tools to create safer spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth in their homes and communities. Foster caregivers will learn about the fundamentals of gender identity, reflect on their own biases and how those biases can impact the young people in their care, and explore different strategies to help children and youth feel more welcomed and accepted.
Nicole Sawin (she/they) was born and raised in unceded Treaty 8 territory, in what is now called Fort Nelson, BC. Nicole is a child and youth mental health therapist, with a particular interest in working with neurodivergent and gender diverse youth, as well as the owner of the first trauma-informed mixed martial arts facility in Canada. Nicole is neurodivergent and nonbinary themselves, and has facilitated Parenting Gender Diverse Youth, a peer support group for caregivers, since 2019. Additionally, as a co-caregiver of her Trans brother, Nicole has both professional and personal experience to offer on the topic of creating safer spaces for gender diverse youth.
Credentials:
- BA Honors Sociology, McGill University
- Master of Social Work, University of Northern British Columbia
- Registered Social Worker (#15290)
IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU REGISTER.
- Workshops are exclusive to foster parents.
- Attendees can only register for the workshop within their region. BCFPA is hoping to continue these workshops annually and we will rotate topics and have more dates/topics to offer.
- First come, first served. Maximum of 40 attendees per workshop.
- Breakfast will be served at 8:00AM, and a Territorial Welcome & Opening Prayer by an Elder will begin at 9:00AM. Lunch and coffee break refreshments will be provided.
- Reimbursements available for mileage over 40km (round trip).
- Childcare is NOT provided at the event but reimbursements are available for childcare up to a maximum of $100 (with receipt).
- Reimbursements for parking available (with receipt).
- Hotel accommodation may be provided for the Parksville, Kelowna and Prince George workshops. There are limited rooms available and each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Booking should be made through BCFPA by calling 1-800-663-9999 or sending an email to office@bcfosterparents.ca. Those who require hotel accommodation will be eligible for meal per diem. Please refer to the reimbursement form for rates.
- Reimbursements available through BCFPA. All reimbursement forms (with receipts) must be completed and submitted by April 20, 2024.
by Michelle Relevante | Oct 1, 2023
Grief and Loss Webinar with Veronica Harris
October 16, Monday at 10:00 AM via Zoom
Foster parents are no strangers to the feeling of grief and loss. Children and youth often experience grief and loss when entering—and throughout the duration of their time involved with—the foster care system. Foster parents also experience cycles of grief and loss when the child/youth they have cared for returns home or moves on to a permanent home.
The Zoom information will be sent by October 13, Friday.
About the Speaker: Veronica Harris
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Veronica values the opportunity to work alongside and collaborate with her clients to promote their growth and wellbeing. She works from a place that is grounded in compassion, acceptance and empathy to connect people with their natural abilities and resilience to face everything that life brings forth.
She works with individuals who are experiencing grief and loss, depression and anxiety, parenting and family challenges, and the impacts of trauma. I draw from my varied experience as a community-based counsellor and group facilitator for grief, loss, separation and divorce, as well as professional studies in Emotionally Focused Couples and Family therapy, attachment-based research, mindfulness training, trauma-informed practices, and perinatal psychology.
Register HERE.
Investment and Retirement Planning Webinar with Kelsey Geertsma and Anisha Nihalani
October 20, Friday at 10:00 AM via Webex
BC Foster Parents Association will be hosting a webinar for foster caregivers on investment and retirement planning on October 20, Friday, at 10:00 AM.
The webinar will be hosted by two financial planning experts from the Royal Bank of Canada: Kelsey Geertsma and Anisha Nihalani. The webinar platform that will be used is Webex and we encourage you to download it before the webinar. We will send the Webex information by October 18 to all those who register.
Topics to be discussed:
- Why investing is important
- All types of registered and non-registered accounts including their features and benefits
- Investment options
The focus will be on investment planning include RRSPs, TFSAs, and non-registered accounts, and how they can potentially grow their savings. They will also touch upon pensions and what attendees can expect when they retire, and why they should start saving early.
Please note that the presenters may or may not be able to answer all questions, for example if the question is pertaining to social assistance payments and government pensions. They can only provide basic information.
From time to time, RBC does run webinars on the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security Pension (government pensions) which is hosted by a representative from CRA. If they are hosting one in the near future, foster parents will be invited and given the link.
Register HERE.
