Family Support Institute BC

Family Support Institute BC Supporting families all across BC who have a family member with a disability.

On Saturday, June 6, the Family Support Institute of BC recognized the recipients of our 2026 Celebration of Families Aw...
06/19/2026

On Saturday, June 6, the Family Support Institute of BC recognized the recipients of our 2026 Celebration of Families Awards at UBC Okanagan!

These awards are presented to persons or groups who support families in BC in an extraordinary way. We were pleased to present this year’s awards to seven worthy recipients who make tremendous impact upon their communities.

Congratulations to our winners:

- FSI Volunteer Resource Parent/Peer Award - Lori Bekhuys

- Person with Lived Experience (Self-Advocate) Award - Alison Klein

- Community Member Award - Kaori Lau

- Non-Profit Organization Award - Northwest Child Development Centre-Regional BC

- Champion of Diversity, Equity & Social Justice Award - Yasmin Khalif

- Indigenous Ally Award - Stephanie Glegg

- Indigenous Advocate Award - Nak'azdli Whut'en Chief and Council

Each award winner received a unique platter, hand-painted with care by Gitx’san artist Ryley Jensen Fisk from PotteryWorks - Community Living Society.

We are so grateful for the tireless work that these individuals and groups put in to pave the way for justice and inclusion in our society.

Congratulations once again to Lori, Alison, Kaori, Yasmin, Stephanie, Northwest CDC, and Nak'azdli Whut'en!! 🎉🎉

Dear Indigenous families,We will not be hosting our Indigenous Caregiver Circle Family Hangout this month as it falls on...
06/18/2026

Dear Indigenous families,

We will not be hosting our Indigenous Caregiver Circle Family Hangout this month as it falls on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, 2026. We will be in community participating in local events and supporting families in our respective communities, as we are sure many of you will be as well.

We look forward to seeing your beautiful faces again on July 19, 2026 at our usual time, 6:00pm. Thank you for your understanding and your support in our walk towards reconciliation.

Please come join us at our next gathering, Sunday, July 19!

This group is for any Indigenous caregiver (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) who cares for a loved one with any disability, with or without a diagnosis, regardless of their age or gender, calling in from anywhere in BC.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DQxSIt2HS0-G1HGRK_r2Kw

Do you have a little one preparing to start kindergarten soon?The transition from preschool into school can be particula...
06/18/2026

Do you have a little one preparing to start kindergarten soon?

The transition from preschool into school can be particularly challenging for parents and their children when extra supports are required. Extra care is needed to ensure a smooth process and to understand how to navigate the school system.

This workshop is designed for parents of preschoolers and kindergarteners to learn new tools and strategies for the first year of school.

Join Heather and Tyra on Tuesday, August 11 on Zoom! This session will be offered in the afternoon and the evening, so choose the timing that works best for you.

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7zD3Or_LS-2bIUbWS9egGw

The BC Disability Collaborative, which FSI is a member of, has just released this statement: Is Your Child Disabled Enou...
06/16/2026

The BC Disability Collaborative, which FSI is a member of, has just released this statement:
Is Your Child Disabled Enough?
The BC Disability Collaborative Condemns New Disability Benefit Criteria as Restrictive, Discriminatory, and Contrary to Government Promises

Read the Release: https://mailchi.mp/fsibc/2026-bcdc-statement

It is also downloadable from their website as a PDF.
https://www.bcdisabilitycollab.ca/

School is almost out for the summer break. But for many students with disabilities, it might have been "breaktime" for a...
06/16/2026

School is almost out for the summer break. But for many students with disabilities, it might have been "breaktime" for a long time—due to a system that can't accommodate their learning needs.

K-12 students, if you have been left out of class activities, field trips, extracurriculars, or any aspect of your education this school year due to a lack of support around your disability, please submit your experience to the National Exclusion Tracker with the guidance of a trusted adult.

Visit: https://exclusiontracker.com/

The survey is open to students anywhere in Canada.

What you have been facing is unacceptable. By documenting your experience, you help to paint a more complete picture of what school exclusion looks like in your province, your territory, and on a national level. Having a clear picture of how broken the school system is helps us push for a fairer, more strategically funded, more inclusive system.

You don't need to enter any personal information you don't want to. We gather these collective experiences to hold the government accountable, not for the sake of collecting your personal data.

Next Sunday, June 21, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a time to celebrate the diverse arts, cultures, tradit...
06/15/2026

Next Sunday, June 21, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a time to celebrate the diverse arts, cultures, traditions, languages, cuisines, and customs of Indigenous peoples in this nation we now call "Canada." Indigenous communities gather in expression of solidarity, pride and resistance, in the face of colonialism and ongoing injustice.

This week and leading up to Sunday, there are Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations happening all over BC. From music, dance and storytelling, to food and crafts and resources, these community events are a wonderful opportunity to gather together, celebrate culture, and honour the land you live on. These events are open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous families.

You can find a listing of major events here:
https://www.indigenousbc.com/stories/national-indigenous-history-month-and-peoples-day/

Or search for National Indigenous Peoples Day plus the name of your city using your preferred Internet browser.

We hold space for the diversity of ways to be Indigenous, and the spectrum of feelings around holding an Indigenous identity. For some, it may be deeply disorienting to think about celebrating an aspect of identity that was repressed or considered shameful for so long. For others, there may be a feeling of imposter syndrome around not being 'Indigenous enough.' All of these feelings are valid.

Reclaiming culture and Indigeneity is both a personal and a communal journey, and your experience of it is valid.

National Indigenous Peoples Day happens on the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, a day representing energy, power, ceremony, and connection to the earth and the land. However you relate to this season and this day, it is uniquely yours to experience.

Not Indigenous? You can also learn more about the land you live on here:
https://native-land.ca/maps/native-land

Artwork: Daemon Elliott, Nuxalk

Join the June support group online meeting for 8 to 11 year old sibling carers!June’s session theme is “Diving into Boun...
06/14/2026

Join the June support group online meeting for 8 to 11 year old sibling carers!

June’s session theme is “Diving into Boundaries.” This month we'll explore the world of boundaries — why they matter, how they help us feel most comfortable in our relationships, and how we can challenge ourselves while honouring the comfort levels of those around us.

Siblings can join from anywhere in BC. You may select a group to join based on the location closest to you, or based on the timing that works best for you.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm
or
Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm
or
Friday, June 26, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm

Register: https://siblingcentre.janeapp.com/ /4

The monthly Young Sibling Peer Support Network is open to children and youth aged 8-11 who have a sibling with a disability or chronic health condition.

06/14/2026

The Inclusion Canada & People First of Canada National Task Force on Deinstitutionalization is pleased to announce an update to The Right Way. This is a resource from our task force. This updated version is called “The Right Way: A guide to closing institutions and building a good life in the community for people with intellectual disabilities.”

The first version of this guide was created in 2010, and it’s been used all over the world! This updated version includes quotes, photos and new information to help with closing institutions of all sizes.

We encourage government leaders, community groups, families and individuals to read this and use the resource as the “Right Way” to close institutions and as the “Right Way” to create independent living in the community.

This updated resource is ready to use in both French and English! You can find it on our website at www.institutionwatch.ca/the-right-way/

06/14/2026

There’s still time to register for next week's session about navigating navigating supports for a child with medical complexities.

If you would like to learn more about accessing services and overcoming barriers to inclusion, join our Advocacy Team along with BC Complex Kids for a virtual session on Navigating Barriers to Inclusion in Kids with Medical Complexity.

🗓 June 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
💬 Bring your questions—or send them in advance.

Register here: https://ow.ly/hfSt50ZagO6

Do you have an adult family member with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD)?Have they received dementia...
06/12/2026

Do you have an adult family member with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD)?

Have they received dementia screening? Or, are they over 40 years old?

This research team wants to hear from you!

Take part in a research survey about how dementia screening programs are being implemented across Canada. This is led by a research team at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Who can participate in the survey?
• You are a family caregiver of an adult with IDD who is either 40 years or older or your family member is younger than 40 but has had dementia screening
• You can complete the informed consent form, live in Canada, and communicate in English

What does participation involve?
• Complete an online 20-30 minute survey about your experience with dementia screening for your family member with IDD using your internet and a computer, tablet, or smartphone

Interested? Complete the survey: https://redcap.link/d5oqbv4g

If you would like to complete the survey via telephone or would like a paper copy of the survey, please contact the research team for support.

For more information, visit https://www.azrieli-anc.com/dementiascreeningprogram

Address

227 6th Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L3A5

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+16045408374

Website

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