In years past, British Columbia families of children with disabilities would often gather together in their kitchens and church basements to share their concerns and experiences. As a result of the conversations and get-togethers parent groups, local associations and various services were developed to provide for the needs identified by these families. This was at a time when there were fewer services for children with disabilities that we now have.  The emphasis on family support started to change with the development of more formal services and local associations. Professionals took a greater role in the lives of the children and families felt that they were losing their ability to make key decisions. Families began to feel isolated and helpless. However, the need for the correct information and a need for connection with other community services and support from other parents still remained.             

In 1984, the members of a family support committee of the British Columbia Association for Community Living (BCACL) discussed ways to better support families. It became clear that an agency needed to be developed to provide family support. In the fall of 1986, with funds from the St. Christopher’s Foundation, the Family Support Institute (FSI) was established. FSI was the first of its kind in Canada. 

The Institute became a separate non-profit agency in April 1989 and continues to share office space with BCACL.  The original mandate of the Family Support Institute was to strengthen families who had a son or daughter with a mental disability. This mandate has now been expanded to include all disabilities and to include active family members in addition to parents. 

FSI was created to strengthen families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability.  Directed by families, the Family Support Institute assists families in three main ways:

¨      Workshops are presented based on requests from families. Parents are key players in both the development and presentation of these workshops. 

¨      Networking is promoted to enable families to build upon the expertise of each other and to facilitate families meeting together to address common issues, needs and concerns. 

¨     Up-to-date information on services, current practices, and educational options is provided to assist families to make well-informed decisions.  

The Family Support Institute’s philosophy was developed based upon the following beliefs:

¨      All people have gifts and strengths and much to contribute to society

¨      Parents are the experts when it comes to understanding their own children

¨      Families are a unique and valuable resource to one another

¨      Informed, involved and confident parents are the most effective agents for social change on behalf of their children

¨      All people have a right to be valued and to belong

To meet the needs of families throughout BC, FSI has established a network of Resource Parents (RPs) and Resource Family Members (RFMs) in communities across the province. These parents and active family members act as resource people for their own community and form the foundation for the services provided by the Family Support Institute. Each RP or RFM makes their own connections in their home community. Resource Parents and Resource Family Members work voluntarily and independently and contribute based upon their strengths, abilities, and preferred areas of interest. Some examples of the work of the RPs and RFMs are:  

¨    Setting up support groups

¨    Receiving phone calls from parents and professionals

¨    Acting as members of advisory committees on a local and provincial level

¨    Attending planning meetings as support for other families

¨    Linking with community groups to increase their awareness of the Family Support

     Institute and the support it provides

The Family Support Institute has an elected board of directors from regions across the province. The majority of the board directors are family members of a person with a disability. FSI has a paid Executive Director and other staff that support families and our RP/RFM network.  
 

The Family Support Institute continues to help people with disabilities and their family members to recognize their rights and to make choices and to realize that individual empowerment is the key to playing an active role in creating their futures.