Business Side of Fostering
2026-02-12 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-19 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-26 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-05 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-12 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-19 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-26 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-02 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) and 1 more date
Thursday, September 18th and September 25th, 9:30am to 11:30am Facilitated by Interior Community Services Open to Foster Caregivers and Social Workers Do you want to understand your role, responsibilities and rights from a business perspective? If so, this two-part, four-hour course is for you! We will cover 1. The ins and outs of your contract 2. The Care Home Investigation (protocol) and quality of care review process 3. What (and why) to document and report 4. Insurance/WCB for Foster Caregivers 5. Resources For more information, contact Marna Forsyth at 250-698-2017 or mforsyth@interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca Register: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/bsfsept25/2025-09-18/

Lunch and Learn: Campbell River
2026-02-12 11:30 - 13:00, 2026-03-12 11:30 - 13:00, 2026-04-09 11:30 - 13:00
Lunch and Learn Thursday, September 11th, 11:30am to 1:00pm Thursday, October 9th, 11:30am to 1:00pm CR Family Services, Conference room, 487-10th Avenue (2nd Thursday of the month) All foster caregivers are welcome. This is your space for connecting with peers, building community, and sharing practical learnings for coping with the stresses of being a public parent. Bring your lunch or join us for the light refreshments supplied. Watch your emails for updates about discussion topics. Contact Lindsy or Judy for more information.

Safe Babies Meetings
2026-02-26 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-26 11:00 - 13:00
Safe Babies Meetings Thursday, September 25th, 11:00am to 1:00pm Thursday, October 23rd, 11:00am to 1:00pm Safe Babies caregivers meet with Angela Hatch to connect, support one another, and discuss information pertaining to the issues and care of vulnerable infants. They cover new protocols for homes and updated information. Guest speakers are often invited.

Creative Support Group for Foster Caregivers
2026-03-09 09:00 - 10:30
Creative Support Group for Foster Caregivers
Monday, March 9th, 9:00am to 10:30am
CR Family Services Art Room, 487-10th Avenue
(Third Monday of the month)
The Resource Enhancement Counsellor team hope this will become a
monthly space for caregivers to mindfully connect and relax through
art making. All foster caregivers are welcomed, no art experience
required. Art materials are supplied, no need to bring your own. More
details? Contact Lindsy at lindsy.creeden@crfs.ca.

Foster Caregiver/MCFD Partnership Meeting
2026-03-10 09:30 - 10:30
Foster Caregiver/MCFD Partnership Meeting
Tuesday, March 10th, 9:30am to 10:30am
MCFD Boardroom, 1334 Island Hwy
(Second Tuesday of every second month)
All foster caregivers, MCFD social workers, C&Y Mental Health staff
and foster support staff are invited. Caregivers are encouraged to take
this hour and share your fostering concerns, learn about MCFD
updates, and discuss local fostering trends. Contact co-chairs, Tom
Robinson at sunrisestart@hotmail.com or Ashley at
AshleyVisser@gov.bc.ca for more information or to suggest a
discussion topic.

Foster Caregivers Support Mornings
2026-03-10 10:00 - 11:30
Foster Caregivers Support Mornings
Tuesday, March 10th, 10:00am to 11:30am
Caring Families Society Office, #102-6421 Applecross Road, Nanaimo
These mornings are a great way to connect with other caregivers
about the unique experiences and challenges fostering can have, ask
questions, share successes, recharge, and learn about resources.
There will also be opportunities for caregivers to work on Life Book
pages if desired and CFS will provide support, supplies, and tools.
Foster caregivers, please check your emails for more details closer to
the morning dates!

First Aid Training
2026-03-12 09:30 - 13:30
First Aid Training
Thursday, March 12th, 9:30am to 1:30pm
Alert First Aid, 109 Finlayson Street, Nanaimo
Open to Foster and Kinship Caregivers.
Do you remember how to perform infant or child CPR? Is your first aid
certification current?
An instructor from Alert First Aid Inc will lead participants through a
hands-on approach to gain confidence, learn to improvise, and react in
emergency situations. Includes initial assessment, adult, child, and
infant CPR (Level C). Alert First Aid will provide a certificate (valid for 3
years) to participants upon successful completion.
$60.00 per participant.
Foster caregivers will receive a $35 reimbursement from Caring Families Society upon course completion. Please note this reimbursement only applies to foster caregivers. Register at
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/s75e4g2.

Caregiver Lunch and Learn
2026-03-12 11:30 - 13:00
Caregiver Lunch and Learn
Thursday, March 12th, 11:30am to 1:00pm
Presenter: Myra Kohler, Program Coordinator, Sexual Abuse Intervention program (SAIP)
Topic: CRFS Sexual Abuse Program
Campbell River Family Services, Conference room, 487-10th Avenue
(Second Thursday of the month)
Caregiver Lunch and Learn is your space to connect with peers, build community, and engage with practical learnings. March and April’s learnings introduce participants to Campbell River Family Services SAIP and Victim Services programs. If you have an interest in this topic, whether or not currently caring for children or youth, please join us. Bring your lunch or join us for the light refreshments supplied. Contact Lindsy or Judy for more information.

Hopping into Spring Family Fun Day!
2026-03-12 15:00 - 17:00
SIFPA Hopping into Spring Family Fun Day!
Thursday, March 12th, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Colwood Pacific Activity Centre (CPAC)
Military Family Resource Centre, 2610 Rosebank Road
Join us for an in-person good vibes family event. Kids and
youth can run wild (in the best way) with games and
activities in the gym, plus snack bags and treats to keep
the energy going. The best part? Every family heads home
with a special Spring Break activity gift to kick off the
break with something fun.
Bring the whole crew and come hang out-it’s going to be a
great time. Tropical Bouncy Castle and Slides included!
Please R.S.V.P. to Sandy at slcase@shaw.ca.

Foster Family BINGO
2026-03-14 13:30 - 15:30
Joint Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo Event
Foster Family BINGO
Saturday, March 14th, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Eagles Hall, 921 – 1st Avenue, Ladysmith
OPEN to ALL FOSTER FAMILIES!
Caring Families Society has rented the Eagles Hall in Ladysmith for this
event! Join other foster families for FUN, FOOD, and PRIZES! Doors will
open at 1:15pm to allow time for families to settle and set up for
BINGO to start promptly at 1:30pm. We will play multiple rounds of
BINGO with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place. CFS will provide snacks
and beverages. Register your foster family here: https://
lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9a8w824.

Foster Caregivers Mornings
2026-03-18 09:30 - 11:30
Foster Caregivers Mornings
Wednesday, March 18th, 9:30am to 11:30am
Cowichan Community Center – Nitinat Room
2687 James Street, Duncan
These gatherings are great to connect with other foster caregivers
who understand the unique challenges and rewards of fostering. The
Nitinat Room is at the end of the hall on the second floor of the
Cowichan Community Center. Come and meet members of your
Cowichan Valley Foster Parents Local and other wonderful foster
caregivers! March’s meeting is during spring break, so this will be a
family friendly morning! Arrangements for a guest speaker for April’s
meeting are in process. Watch your emails for more information.

Safe Babies Caregiver Knowledge Exchange
2026-03-19 10:30 - 11:30
Safe Babies Caregiver Knowledge Exchange
Thursday, March 19th, 10:30am to 11:30am
Topic: Substance Use Updates and Trends
(Third Thursday of the month)
Calling all Safe Babies Caregivers! Join us online via the Zoom link
found in on Caregiver Learning Network. Sign in using this link and
following the prompts
https://learn.fpsss.com/courses/vi-sb-monthly/

Safe Babies Caregiver Meeting
2026-03-26 11:00 - 13:00
Safe Babies Caregiver Meeting
Thursday, March 26th, 11:00am to 1:00pm
Safe Babies caregivers meet with Angela Hatch to connect, support one
another, and discuss information pertaining to the issues and care of
vulnerable infants. They discuss a variety of topics relevant to the
medically fragile infants and toddlers that they care for. Most of their
infants have had pre natal substance exposure, often with
complications. They cover new protocols for homes and updated
information. Guest speakers are often invited.

Caregiver Coffee In-Person Mornings
2026-03-31 09:00 - 12:00
Caregiver Coffee In-Person Mornings
Tuesday, March 31st, 9:00am to 12:00 noon
Welcome to a warm, supportive space, a perfect spot to connect with
caregivers and friends, swap stories, share tips, and enjoy a few laughs.
Kids can dive into treats and playtime, and yes – there are goodies for
grown-ups too!
Grab a cup, settle in, and enjoy a cozy morning with good company.
Please R.S.V.P. to Sandy at slcase@shaw.ca.

Cowichan Valley MCFD Partnership Meeting
2026-04-01 09:00 - 11:00
Cowichan Valley MCFD Partnership Meeting
Wednesday, April 1st, 9:00/9:30am to 11:00am
MCFD Office, 161- 4th Street, Duncan
The office doors open at 9:00am and foster caregivers are welcome to
come in to catch up with one another and local resource workers – the
meeting will start at 9:30am. Stay as long as you can! Participation can
be in-person or virtually via Teams. Something on your mind you’d like
to discuss? Send agenda items to mylisa.evans@gov.bc.ca. Look for an
email from the MCFD Resource Team closer to the meeting that
includes the link for those wishing to participate virtually.

The Business Side of Fostering
2026-04-09 09:30 - 11:30
The Business Side of Fostering CLN
Thursday, April 9th and Thursday, April 16th, 9:30am to 11:30pm
Facilitated by Interior Community Services
Virtual. Open to Foster Caregivers and Social Workers
IMPORTANT note: You must attend BOTH sessions to receive
a certificate.
Do you want to understand your role, responsibilities, and
rights (from a business perspective)? Then this 4-hour course
is for you! Please This training is for discussion purposes only
and not to be considered legal or financial advice. We will
cover:
• The ins and outs of your contract
• The care home investigation (protocol) and quality of
care review process
• What (and why) to document and report,
• Insurance / WCB for Foster Parents
• Resources.
Register at Business Side of Fostering April 2026

Caregiver Lunch and Learn
2026-04-09 11:30 - 13:00
Caregiver Lunch and Learn
Thursday, April 9th, 11:30am to 1:00pm
Presenter: Kerri Reihl, Program Coordinator, Community-Based Victim Services
Topic: CRFS Intimate Partner Violence Program
Campbell River Family Services, Conference room, 487-10th Avenue
(Second Thursday of the month)
Caregiver Lunch and Learn is your space to connect with peers, build community, and engage with practical learnings. March and April’s learnings introduce participants to Campbell River Family Services SAIP and Victim Services programs. If you have an interest in this topic, whether or not currently caring for children or youth, please join us. Bring your lunch or join us for the light refreshments supplied. Contact Lindsy or Judy for more information.

Creative Support Group for Foster Caregivers
2026-04-13 09:00 - 10:30
Creative Support Group for Foster Caregivers
Monday, April 13th, 9:00am to 10:30am
CR Family Services Art Room, 487-10th Avenue
(Third Monday of the month)
The Resource Enhancement Counsellor team hope this will become a
monthly space for caregivers to mindfully connect and relax through
art making. All foster caregivers are welcomed, no art experience
required. Art materials are supplied, no need to bring your own. More
details? Contact Lindsy at lindsy.creeden@crfs.ca.

Foster Caregivers Support Mornings
2026-04-14 10:00 - 11:30
Foster Caregivers Support Mornings
Tuesday, April 14th, 10:00am to 11:30am
Caring Families Society Office, #102-6421 Applecross Road, Nanaimo
These mornings are a great way to connect with other caregivers
about the unique experiences and challenges fostering can have, ask
questions, share successes, recharge, and learn about resources.
There will also be opportunities for caregivers to work on Life Book
pages if desired and CFS will provide support, supplies, and tools.
Foster caregivers, please check your emails for more details closer to
the morning dates!
