Pathways | Indigenous Child and Family Services

Indigenous Child and Family Services

Child Services, Family / Parenting, Indigenous Services, Mental Health - Child & Youth, and Youth Services

Provided by Xyólheméylh - Fraser Valley Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society

A variety of programs that provide protection and risk reduction for indigenous families.

The following services are provided:

Family Preservation: Works collaboratively with families and community partners to develop strategies that help children remain safely with their families, aiming to change the legacy of Indigenous children growing up in care and disconnected from their culture, family, and community.

Delegated Social Workers, Family Enhancement Workers, Family Preservation Counsellors, and Family Cultural Connections Workers identify barriers to family unity and develop holistic support plans. These may include practical support such as conflict resolution, life skills, and parenting education, as well as cultural and therapeutic supports like healing circles with Elders and intensive counselling. Central to this approach are collaborative practice meetings where staff and families work together to find meaningful solutions. Support services include:

Assisting parents in achieving reunification where possible
Providing home support visits and family education programs
Identifying and reducing risk
Referring families to community services
Supporting the development of strong cultural identity

Stó:lō Basket: The Stó:lō Service Basket consists of three social work teams, two family support teams, and one therapeutic team, serving children and families from the 17 member communities. These teams work closely with territory representatives to support families where child safety concerns exist, with an emphasis on building the capacity of parents and extended families whenever possible. Protection and guardianship services are offered when necessary.

Services are provided to Stó:lō community members both within and outside their home communities. Child protection and family strengthening workers collaborate with band representatives and families to address and resolve community challenges. In addition, dedicated staff develop cultural supports and participate in planning and delivering community-led cultural events focused on children and families. This work is grounded in a community-based, solution-focused model that preserves family and cultural connections through holistic, wraparound services.

Foster Parent Support: Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (FVACFSS) develops resources and supportive environments for children in care and their families who require guidance and encouragement. As part of these services, the organization provides orientation and ongoing training for foster parents.

Supported Connections: FVACFSS supports keeping families together whenever possible. Supported connections is a program available at FVACFSS in Surrey that allows parents to spend quality time with their child-in-care. Supported connections provide a safe place where families can spend time together, cook meals, and play, with staff always on hand to provide support as needed.

Life Skills: Helps youths aged 14 – 19 develop necessary skills for life while enhancing their connection with culture. This program covers a variety of topics, including practical life skills and culture-based learning. The goal of Life Skills is to prepare youths with the skills they need to manage life and connect with their own culture.

Four Directions: The workshop takes traditional lessons from each quadrant and applies them to enhancing family life and child development. During these workshops, parents will improve their understanding of traditional approaches to parenting and how behaviours and culture impact children and development. Offered to parents/caregivers 19+.

Traditional Kitchen: A workshop for any parent or caregiver to learn traditional cooking and meal preparation in a communal setting. Each person will help to prepare traditional Aboriginal food and then sit down together for the meal to discuss other relevant topics. 8 Workshops per year. Offered to parents and caregivers 19+.

Wellness Circle: Weekly support group sessions held on an ongoing basis and may focus on specific groups (men, women, couples), depending on the composition of attendees. These sessions are used to discuss relevant topics anyone in the group may wish to, such as parenting, addictions, domestic violence, culture, or more. Throughout each session, there will be therapeutic activities and a traditional ceremony to improve insight, empathy, and healing.

Family Support: Various support services and other help to enhance family life. Available to those who may have lost contact with their culture, extended family systems, natural supports and/or communities.

Location finder: https://www.fvacfss.ca/contact/

604-858-0113

Public email: info@xyolhemeylh.bc.ca

Website: https://www.fvacfss.ca/

#1, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2R 4G5

1 800-663-9393 (Supported connections)

Public email: info@xyolhemeylh.bc.ca

Surrey FVACFSS Location - 9093 King George Boulevard, Surrey, British Columbia, V3V 5V9

Cost: No cost