Caring Families Society

Business Side of Fostering
2025-11-06 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-30 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-23 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-16 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-09 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-02 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver)
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/

In-Person Caregiver Coffee Mornings
2025-11-06 09:00 - 12:00
In-Person Caregiver Coffee Mornings for South Island caregivers
Thursday, November 6th, 9:00am to 12:00 noon
In-Person! This is the last coffee morning before the holidays. It’s a place to connect with caregivers and friends, share stories, tips, and laughter. Kids will enjoy some treats and playtime. Goodies for grown-ups too!
Please RSVP to Sandy at slcase@shaw.ca.

Hope for the Journey: In-Person Evenings
2025-11-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-30 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-16 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-09 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday, October 2nd, 9th, and 16th, and 23rd 6:00pm to 8:00pm TBRI® Conference In-Person-Evenings Facilitated by SI Coordinator Dianne Thompson South Island Foster and Out-of Care Caregivers Only Four-Part Training Series Show Hope’s Hope for the Journey Conference (formerly the Empowered to Connect Conference) seeks to encourage and better equip parents and caregivers meeting the everyday needs of children impacted by foster care and/or adoption. With the busy parent and caregiver in mind, the Hope for the Journey Conference is accessible with information being practical, succinct, and consumable in its delivery. The Hope for the Journey Conference series includes four high-level learning modules based on the foundational principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®). Embedded within each learning module will be a “Going Deeper” teaching video, and an encouraging “Practical Perspectives” video. Both videos include the voices of adult adoptees as well as adoptive and foster caregivers. Each week the group will gather to watch a video then review video highlights with our facilator. There will discussion and reflection questions, share comments, insights and debrief. Week 1 – Introduction to TBRI Week 2 – Connecting Principles Week 3 – Empowering Principles Week 4 – Correcting While Connecting Principles All sessions combine evidenced-based theory with every day, practical strategies that caregivers can readily apply in their homes. Contact: SI Coordinator, Dianne Thompson, 778-430-5459. To register for the four Thursday Evening In-Person sessions visit: https://bit.ly/HopeJourneyEvening2025

Circle of Security Parenting Program
2025-11-03 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-27 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-20 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-13 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-10-06 12:00 - 13:30
Mondays, September 15th to November 3rd, 12:00pm to 1:30pm Facilitated by Fostering Early Development Open to Foster Caregivers only. At times, all caregivers feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions Enhance the development of your child’s self esteem. Honor your innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure.

MCFD Annual Halloween Extravaganza
2025-10-31 09:00 - 16:00
Campbell River MCFD Annual Halloween Extravaganza To be confirmed: Friday, October 31st, drop-in is usually between 9:00am to 12:00 noon and 1:00pm to 4:00pm Watch for location and other details from the MCFD organizers of this annual event.

Campbell River Foster Caregiver In-person Coffee Meeting
2025-10-28 10:00 - 11:30
Campbell River Foster Caregiver In-person Coffee Meeting Tuesday, September 23rd, 10:00am to 11:30am Tuesday, October 28th, 10:00am to 11:30am Host Tom Robinson (4th Tuesday of the month) Your CR Foster Parent Association welcomes all foster caregivers to attend their casual round the kitchen table gatherings which they host in members’ homes. The group offers confidential discussion and practical tips from experienced caregivers to help you support the child or teen in your care. For information including the address, please watch your inbox, or contact Judy at (text/call) 250-204-1566 or uicoord@fpsss.com.

Bridge to Belonging Playgroup
2025-10-27 00:00
Bridge to Belonging Playgroup Monday, September 22nd, 10:00am to 11:45am Monday, October 27th, 10:00am to 11:45am Monarch Room, Oliver Woods Community Centre Open to all Central Island Foster Families. This playgroup is resuming in September with a change from the 4th Friday afternoon to the 4th Monday morning of the month. Geared toward children aged 0-5, these sessions will include play-based activities, a small sharing snack, and a structured language arts circle. Drop-ins are welcome. RSVP if possible. Please contact Shailu Miguez at Shailu.miguez@gov.bc.ca or 250-740-3080 with any questions and to RSVP.

Pumpkin Fest: Campbell River & Comox Valley
2025-10-24
Pumpkin Fest for Comox Valley and Campbell River foster families
Provincial Pro-D, Friday October 24th
Coastal Black Estates, 2186 Endall Rd, Black Creek https://coastalblack.ca/
Sign in between 12noon and 1:30pm with CFS staff at ticket area to cover fee.
This is a rain or shine event. Dress for the weather.
Please Register including the number of 3 years old
and up in your group by Friday, October 17th with
Campbell River: Heather Murphy at text 250-203-7116
or heathermur54@icloud.com
Comox Valley: Jessica Humphries at text 250-986-7929
or cvcoord@fpsss.com

Included with the entrance ticket:
Vancouver Island’s only Jumping Pillow
Corn Maze & Hay Bale Maze
Visit Barnyard Animals including BCs only miniature micro highland cow ‘Strawberry Shortcake’
Play festive games: Pumpkin Bowling & Ringtoss
Take a Wagon Ride
Try Pumpkin TicTacToe
Mini Western Village
Meet the O’Lantern Family and read their story
Great Photo Ops
Families can purchase:
Pick your Pumpkins
Corn Cannons (shoot corn at targets in our sunflower/corn field)
Country Kitchen (Food & Beverages)
Fireside Cafe (Food/Snacks/Desserts/Beverages) New Specialty Coffee Machine
Wine & Cider Garden
Swag & Honey
Pumpkin Fairy Village Scavenger Hunt

Safe Babies Meetings
2025-10-23 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.

Caregivers and the Court Process: Preparation, Testifying, and Documentation
2025-10-22 18:30 - 20:30
Wednesday, October 22nd, 6:30pm to 8:30pm Facilitated by MCFD Lawyers Join us for this interactive workshop on how caregivers can prepare for attending court and testifying. if requested to support the legal process for children and youth in care. Additionally, learn how to properly document so you can be prepared if you need to go to court. In this session, caregivers will be provided with up-to-date legal information and be able to ask questions of two MCFD lawyers about how to best prepare for the court process. Register: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/cacp/

Safe Babies Caregiver Knowledge Exchange
2025-10-16 10:30 - 11:30
Safe Babies Caregiver Knowledge Exchange Thursday, September 18th, 10:30am to 11:30am Topic FASD Thursday, October 16th, 10:30am to 11:30am Topic Infectious diseases/conditions (3rd Thursday of the month) This is a regional online event. Join at https://learn.fpsss.com/courses/vi-sb-monthly/ and follow the prompts to the Zoom link. See page 13 for more details.

Comox Valley Safe Babies Group
2025-10-16 10:30 - 11:30
Comox Valley Safe Babies Group Thursday, September 18th, 10:30 to 11:30am Thursday, October 16th, 10:30 to 11:30am In-person at The Foundry Multipurpose Room 575 10th Street, Courtenay Please note the changes for this year’s gatherings. We will meet at the foundry and spend the first half connecting with the Safe Babies Island Wide Knowledge exchange. These gatherings feature discussions to keep your caregiving skills current and an opportunity to “check in” with fellow caregivers! Experienced caregivers and MCFD Resource Worker are always in attendance. Please arrive a few minutes early as we will get started right on time.

Cowichan Valley Foster Caregivers Mornings
2025-10-15 09:30 - 11:30
Foster Caregivers Mornings Wednesday, September 17th, 9:30am to 11:30am Wednesday, October 15th, 9:30am to 11:30am Cowichan Community Center – Nitinat Room, 2687 James Street These gatherings are great way to connect with other foster caregivers who understand the unique challenges and rewards of fostering. The Nitinat Room is on the second floor of the Cowichan Community Center. As September is FASD Awareness month, printed relevant resources material and book prizes will be available at the gathering. October is Foster Caregiver Appreciation month so for this month’s gathering, your Cowichan Valley Foster Parents Local is collaborating with CFS Coordinator Sandra to cook up something special! Please watch your emails for more information about these meetings!

Nanaimo Foster Caregivers Support Mornings
2025-10-14 10:00 - 11:30
Nanaimo Foster Caregivers Support Mornings Tuesday, September 9th, 10:00am to 11:30am Tuesday, October 14th, 10:00am to 11:30am CFS Office, #102-6421 Applecross Road, Nanaimo Drop in to connect with other foster caregivers who understand the unique challenges and joys fostering gifts us with. Nanaimo Coordinator Bonnie will host these mornings which include coffee/tea, snacks, door prizes and optional crafts or activities. Watch your emails for more details closer to each event date!

Lunch and Learn: Campbell River
2025-10-09 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.

Permanency Options For Children When Parent Reunification Cannot Take Place
2025-10-07 11:00 - 12:30
Tuesday, October 7th, 11:00am to 12:30pm Open to Foster and Kinship Caregivers Please join Parent Support Services Society advisors Christina and Cassandra to explore and discuss Kinship Care versus Foster Care, Key considerations for permanency, Legal arrangement considerations, Permanency legislation CFCSA, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, Metis Children, Youth and Families, The Adoptions Act and The Family Law Act and Government supports for caregivers. After a short presentation, the advisors will respond to questions, comments, and deeper discussion. The presenters have a wealth of knowledge and experience. To ensure caregivers’ needs for information and support are met when considering Kinship and/or Foster Care, participants can submit questions to CFS Coordinator Sandra at cicoord@fpsss.com prior to the workshop or ask them at the workshop as time allows. Register: https://learn.fpsss.com/wp-content/uploads/Permanency-Options-For-Children-When-Parent-Reunification-Cannot-Take-Place-2.pdf

Peer to Peer Sexual Harm
2025-10-06 09:00 - 12:00
Monday, October 6th, 9:00am to 12:00 noon Presented by Kerri Isham Vancouver Island Caregivers only. Certified Sexual Health Educator Kerri will explore the prevalence of peer to peer sexual harm, why language matters, developmentally appropriate sex play, concerning sexual behaviour, primary causes of peer to peer sexual harm, and more! Kerri Isham is a knowledgeable, collaborative and inclusive educator with over 25 years of experience. She is the founder and lead educator of Power Up Education. Caring Families Society will cover the registration costs for a limited number of caregivers. If registration is full and you would like to be put on a waitlist, please contact Sandra at cicoord@fpsss.com or 250-618-8327. Register at https://learn.fpsss.com/courses/ki-ptpsh/
