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• FSI's New Book: The Power of Knowing Each Other - now available!     
  The Family Support Institute, in partnership with Community Living BC, has compiled a book of stories about our family members with developmental disabilities and the informal safeguards and relationships that makes their lives richer and safer. Click here for a .pdf version of the book. (updated December 12, 2011) 
    
• FSI Commends Government on Promoting a Family Agenda - *** Press Release -  October 4, 2011 *** - FSI has issued a press release in response to the Government's Throne Speech and their promotion of the Family Agenda. (click here for details)
   
• FSI Resource Parent/Resource Family Member Training Weekend - April 19-22, 2012
  The Family Support Institute has trained volunteer Resource Parents/Resource Family Members in many communities throughout BC. These parents/family members have experience with a family member with a disability, and have specialized knowledge in areas such as preschool years, educational opportunities, respite options, family support and advocacy. Resource Parents/Resource Family Members work voluntarily and independently where they live. For more information on Resource Parents/Resource Family Members, please go to our Resource Parent/Resource Family Member page. If you are interested in becoming a Resource Parent/Resource Family Member, please contact the FSI office.The next Resource Parent/Resource Family Member Training Weekend in beautiful Naramata will take place on April 19-22, 2012  (updated May 11, 2011). 

  If you would like to donate towards the Training Weekend's Silent Auction, please complete the TW2012 Silent Auction donation form and return it with your donation to the FSI office. Thank you for your support of FSI!  

  Resource Parents/Resource Family Member: Your TW2012 Registration Package has been sent to you. The package is also posted in the RP/RFM login area. Please complete the forms and return them to the FSI office by March 4, 2012. We hope to see you all there!!

• FSI's Support Worker Central - Now Live!! 
  The Family Support Institute is pleased to announce a new initiative, Supportworkercentral.com, a BC-wide website where individuals or their families can create job profiles and connect with freelance support workers in their communities. Click here to read more  (updated February 15, 2010) 
    
• FSI's Possibilities! newsletter is now available FREE to everyone!
  FSI's Possibilities! newsletter, full of family stories and other information, is now available to ALL families, friends and partnering organizations. Check back here often for updates.
  Click here for the latest Fall 2011 Possibilities! newsletter and details on how YOU can signup for your free issues.       
   
• FSI's Bulletin is now available FREE to everyone! 
  The FSI Bulletin, full of helpful resources, is now available to ALL families, friends and partnering organizations with the hopes that the information collected can help others in the support of families and individuals with diverse challenges. Check back here often for updates or if you would like to be added to the FSI Bulletin email list, please contact Shirley Yamashita-Paterson, FSI’s Provincial Family Support Worker, at 604-540-8374 ext. 525 or via email at spaterson@fsibc.com.
  Click here for FSI Bulletin #159
  Click here for FSI Bulletin #158
  Click here for FSI Bulletin#157

  
   

• FSI's 4th Annual Trivia Night - A Tremendous Success! 
  Approximately 130 people came out on November 4, 2011 to FSI's 4th Annual Trivia Night for an evening of fun, laughter, munchies and pizza. FSI raised approximately $3,450 this year to help in our efforts to support families in communities throughout BC. We hope that you can make it to our 5th Annual Trivia Night in 2012. Please keep checking back for details as they unfold. Click here for some photos and a recap of FSI's 4th Annual Trivia Night held on November 4, 2011 (updated November 14, 2011)
   
• FSI's Second Annual WALK-RUN-ROLL FUNdraiser - Lower Mainland *** A SUCCESS ***:  
  FSI's Lower Mainland 2nd Annual Walk-Run-Roll was held on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at beautiful Town Centre Park (Lafarge Lake) in Coquitlam. About 30 FSI volunteer Resource Parents/Resource Family Members, friends and family members came out on a cloudy/rainy day to walk, run, or roll their way to raise funds for FSI and enjoy a family picnic. So far, $1,385 has been raised and the donations are still coming in! People have found it very easy to use the "DONATE NOW" button to pledge. Click here for the THANK YOU to Lower Mainland donors and some pictures.  Resource Parents/Resource Family Members:  If you would like information on how to organize a Walk-Run-Roll in your region, please contact the FSI office. (updated June 29, 2010)
   
• Dual Diagnosis - A Guide for Families of a Child with an Intellectual / Developmental Disability and a Mental Disorder 
  Check out our new resource developed by the Family Support Institute in partnership with The F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kid's Mental Health (updated January 30, 2007)   Click here to view (may take a couple of minutes to load)    
   
• FSI Merchandise For Sale and Order Form: 
  Check out our fleece jackets, coasters, business card holders, cooler bags, t-shirts, baseball caps, cosmetic bags and much, much more!  Quantities are limited so order NOW!!  Click here to view merchandise for sale (may take a couple of minutes to load) Click here to view order form. 
   
• FSI Upcoming Workshops - For more information, please contact the FSI office.  Space is limited so register NOW!!