Resource Parent

What we Offer
Getting Support from a Resource Parent
Role of a Resource Parent
RP Job Description
Tribute to our Resource Parents - 2008

What we Offer

Directed by families, the Family Support Institute works to bring families together to share their expertise, joys and challenges and the special understanding of having a son or daughter with a disability. As parents search for services and programs, they often require information, encouragement, and support. The Family Support Institute is there for them. We work with families to help them solve problems and build confidence.

The Family Support Institute has trained volunteer Resource Parents in many communities throughout British Columbia. These parents have experience raising a child with a disability, and have specialized knowledge in areas such as preschool years, educational opportunities, respite options, family support and advocacy. Resource parents work voluntarily and independently where they live.

"Josh has taught others the true meaning of the ABC's - Acceptance, Belonging, and Caring Communities"
Cathy Anthony

We deliver workshops on request on topics such as: Advocacy, Education, Friendships, Parent-Professional Partnerships, Transitions. Access to up-to-date information on services, current practices, and educational options is critical to families faced with difficult and confusing choices. The Family Support Institute helps families get the information they need. We also have a lending library, including a collection of videos, and a quarterly newsletter produced by families.

Getting Support from a Resource Parent

Our Resource Parents are located throughout the province and they are available to families who are looking for support. Our RP's all have children with disabilities and have faced the challenges themselves that come with having a son or daughter with a disability. If you are looking to be supported by one of The Family Support Institute's Resource Parents, please contact our office at (604) 540-8374 and ask to be connected with an RP in your region and we will do our best to put you in touch with a parent in your community. We believe that once you have connected with another parent they will be able to support and guide you through the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member with a disability. They will also be able to share successes with you and together you can celebrate your children!

Role of a Resource Parent

Family Support Institute is non-profit society who has a network of Resource Parents in communities throughout B.C. A Resource Parent is a parent of a child or adult with a disability. We are not disability specific, in the sense that our parents have children/adults who have a wide range of disabilities.

The role of a Resource Parent is a volunteer role. The amount of time that a Resource Parent puts into this position is determined by the amount of time they have and what their areas of expertise are, which determines what kind of involvement they have in this role. When we enroll a parent into the role of a Resource Parent, we ask that they volunteer for a minimum of 2 years.

Some areas that are our parents are involved in as Resource Parents are:

1:1 contact with parents, whether it be on the phone or a face-face contact
Sit on Parent Advisory Committees at schools
Attend meetings with another parent, being another set of ears for that parent
Attend meetings with another parent, taking notes for that parent, so that after the meeting, they have documentation of what was said at the meeting. This provides the information parents need to keep a ''paper trail"
Give presentations in their community
Facilitate workshops

RP Job Description

Qualifications

An RP must be a parent, guardian, or relative of an individual with a disability and possess good interpersonal skills.
Each RP is a unique individual who contributes in their own way according to their interests and strengths

A. Active Resource Parent

Responsibilities

All RPs must be members in good standing of the Family Support Institute. Individuals must be up to date on their membership dues to be in receipt of all mailings and benefits of the FSI membership.

1. Stay Current

1.1 Be familiar with local agencies, services and resources available to individuals with disabilities.

1.2 Direct families to local agencies, community services, other parents/families, and natural networks as appropriate when requested, e.g. local Association for Community Living, Child Development Centres, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Public Health Units, etc.

1.3 Read and be knowledgeable on all mailings originating from the office, i.e. Bulletin, newsletter.

If unsure of how to fulfill any of the above, please contact the office and we will be pleased to assist you.

2. Stay Committed

2.1 Be familiar with and committed to the philosophy.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Family Support Institute is to strengthen and support families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability. We believe that families are the best resource available to support one another. Directed by families, the Family Support Institute provides information, training, and province-wide networking to assist families and their communities to build upon and share their strengths.

2.2 Be available to receive phone calls and if unable to follow-up, refer on to the other RPs or the office.

2.3 When supporting another family be dedicated to offering all choices and not judging another’s actions or statements.

2.4 Provide names of potential RPs in the community when able to do so.

2.5
Expected to attend the Training Weekend at least once every three years.

2.6 Where two members of a family are listed as RPs in the Directory, both need to be involved as individuals for continued Active RP involvement.

3. Stay Connected

3.1 Whenever possible, with the support of the Provincial office, connect families with other families who have similar concerns and experiences.

3.2 Be actively involved in a local support group and/or other groups such as Parent Advisory Council (at your school) or local Association for Community Living, Child Development Centres, Supported Child Care.

3.3
Expect to participate with ongoing communication with the Provincial office and other RP’s on your community activities.

3.4 When requested, complete FSI questionnaire to keep other RPs abreast of your activities and experiences.

4. Confidentiality

As we support families and obtain information about their circumstances or challenges, we must ensure that we respect their right to confidentiality, and if we pass on information in our desire to support them, we will abide by the following practice:
- We will provide general information on a need to know basis only
- We will only provide information to others when permission has been obtained from the family

B. Inactive Resource Parent

This category is self-determined for those who find that, due to personal reasons, they are unable to fulfill the responsibilities as outlined under the Job Description. The designation is for up to one year. This does not prohibit an inactive member from receiving support from the network. It merely means that the person will not be referred by RPs or the office to help support other families. All other supports and information requests remain intact.

C. Retired Resource Parent

This category is for RPs who choose to discontinue with active involvement such as attending the Training Weekends and supporting other families, or other aspects included in the category of active status. This status is self-determined. Once the RP has decided to retire from the position they will no longer receive the Bulletin mailing, however if they remain a current member with the FSI they will continue to receive the newsletter as any other member of the Institute.
The FSI Board is interested in determining ways to maintain involvement with those Retired RPs who may be interested in mentoring new RPs.

D. Administrative Inactive Resource Parent

This category is designated by the Provincial office. It is for members who have not paid their dues, who have not contacted the office and who are not responding to attempts at contact (via phone or mail). This list of RP’s will go to the RP committee for resolution and follow-up once a year but will be placed in this category for the interim. These RP’s will not receive any information that is mailed from the office.

Tribute to our Resource Parents - 2008

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1.1	Be familiar with local agencies, services and resources available to individuals with disabilities.
1.2	Direct families to local agencies, community services, other parents/families, and natural networks as appropriate when requested, e.g. local Association for Community Living, Child Development Centres, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Public Health Units, etc.
1.3	Read and be knowledgeable on all mailings originating from the office, i.e. Bulletin, newsletter.

2.2	Be available to receive phone calls and if unable to follow-up, refer on to the other RPs or the office.
2.3	When supporting another family be dedicated to offering all choices and not judging another’s actions or statements.
2.4	Provide names of potential RPs in the community when able to do so.
2.5	Expected to attend the Training Weekend at least once every three years.
2.6	Where two members of a family are listed as RPs in the Directory, both need to be involved as individuals for continued Active RP involvement.

3.1	Whenever possible, with the support of the Provincial office, connect families with other families who have similar concerns and experiences.
3.2	Be actively involved in a local support group and/or other groups such as Parent Advisory Council (at your school) or local Association for Community Living, Child Development Centres, Supported Child Care.
3.3	Expect to participate with ongoing communication with the Provincial office and other RP’s on your community activities.
3.4	When requested, complete FSI questionnaire to keep other RPs abreast of your activities and experiences.