We believe that families are the experts when it comes to their family member Family Support Institute 1
Who am I?
Who is FSI? Provincial non profit society Registered charity 10 person board 5 person staff team
What do we do? Provide family support to any family in need Volunteer network of peer-to-peer mentors Support in all regions of BC Workshops and training Lending library
What is the Impact? Reduction in isolation More connected and empowered to speak publicly Celebrating abilities Be understood Be accepted Feel connected
What Have Families Told Us? FSI made me feel welcomed. I didn t feel different. the staff introduced themselves, shared their own stories, and opened the door to helping us in any way. FSI does not judge me. They get my circumstance and walk with me.
A Story of Hope We are more alike than we are different Sometimes we struggle
How Are We Similar? Most people believe that families are pivotal in what we do We all understand that powerful things come from well supported/well informed families We all know that family driven is an organic start to a rich and fulfilled end We all have roots in family; good or bad
What Has FSI Done So Far? Reduced isolation Honoured family circumstance without question Created a culture of hope Shown a passion for diversity Built a volunteer network that supports families all over BC Developed and delivered workshops all over BC while building family leaders Cherished accomplishments; celebrated families; asset focused
What Has FSI Been Working On? FSI website - face lift Brothers and Sisters book familyworks - 6 chapters Online Transition Orientation - Timeline Sexual Health Awareness training Support Worker Central - marketing Summer Institute for Inclusive Learning Train the Trainer Stop Hurting Kids campaign
Brothers & Sisters Book Similar to our Power of Knowing Each Other book with our intent This compilation of sibling stories hopes to express the power that comes from the relationships we have with our brothers and sisters
FamilyWORKS www.familyworksbc.com Conversations about employment Family led Multiple sources of funding 6 chapters - all family led Hope to support the creation of a vision for the future that includes employment Asset based - journey together
Findsupportbc.com Searchable database specific to our family members needs
Online Transition Orientation Embed into findsupportbc Specific to transition Checklists; timelines Parental perspective Tips from families
Employment Guide for Families Employment options provincially family friendly with success stories
Support Worker Central www.supportworkercentral.com Matching website to support families and caregivers find each other Over 2500 active users still need to market more
FSI Workshops/Training Preschool Transitions - Preparing for Change Together Transitions - Leaving High School - What s Next? Inclusive Education Effective Advocacy Strengthens Community Parent Professional Relationships Brothers and Sisters Circle of Friends - Social Networks Families Leaving the Way - Family Leadership Key Roles for Families in Ensuring Good Lives Families Promoting Employment First Safeguards: Addressing Personal Vulnerabilities Safeguards: Responding To Vulnerability Through Planning RDSP Sexual Health
Train the Trainer We have an increase in requests for our FSI workshops We deliver train the trainer sessions to build on the capacity of our family leaders Currently we have 30 trained volunteer workshop facilitators
Sexual Health Awareness Did a gap analysis - filled the gap Developed a workshop - (Mary Harbor) Trained families to present it Mentor Model
Creating the Future - Partnerships in Inclusive Learning
Stop Hurting Kids Survey Survey completed about use of seclusion and restraint in BC schools
Does FSI recruit volunteers / peer mentors? 12 person volunteer board of directors 250 volunteer peer mentor families Office volunteers Volunteers for display tables/transition fairs Workshop facilitator volunteers
How does FSI recruit volunteers / peer mentors? Through the people we know By talking about opportunities to people who seem like a good fit Reaching out to people who are seeking opportunities to learn Always keeping our volunteer antennae up Aligning skills with opportunities
Does FSI train volunteer peer mentor parents? We provide suggested tips We are available for support all the time We connect each new volunteer with a sage mentor We have conversations about interests We match skills to role
Does FSI train volunteer board members? We orient our volunteers; diversity is key We believe in reciprocal learning We care more about values than rules or regulations to governance Governance can be taught; values are inherent
How does FSI maintain volunteer / peer mentor involvement? We honor all contributions We respect diversity We are humble; we know we are not experts and need support from others Volunteer recognition We offer development opportunities when we recognize the need
What are the key ingredients to volunteer peer mentor success? Focusing more on values; less on rules Honoring family circumstance Checking in regularly Don t ask if willingness is not present Say thank you
Rules can get in the way Prescriptions are to fix problems Collaboration is to build something amazing together with one another Flexibility is key Relationships are imperative; they need to be nurtured
What Can We Do Together to Make a Positive Impact? Continue to Open your arms and your heart Create space for conversation and understanding Trust your contacts; relationships are pivotal in volunteer recruitment Learn to honor circumstance and contribution
Thank you! Family Support Institute of BC www.familysupportbc.com Angela Clancy, Executive Director aclancy@fsibc.com