Pathways | Family Support Programs

Family Support Programs

Abuse / Neglect, Child Services, Family / Parenting, Legal, Mental Health - Child & Youth, Pregnancy Care, Victim Services, and Youth Services

Provided by Comox Valley Family Services Association

Various programs designed to help families.

The following programs are offered:

Collaborative Planning Program: The collaborative planning program coordinator facilitates various types of 'family' meetings: to share information, look at the resources available and then determine the next best steps for the child/youth and family. These processes or facilitated meetings involve family and community members in child welfare decision-making and produce plans and agreements that protect children and youth and as well address the needs of families. Referrals are through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and there is no cost.
Healthy Families Program: The Healthy Families Program is an accredited B.C. Family Resource Program which supports pregnant women, parents and caregivers to provide children (birth up to 6th year) with a strong foundation in life. They offer weekly drop-in groups, access to parent-child resources and opportunities to develop new social connections. Additionally, program participants can talk with our team of nurses, nutritionist, infant development consultants and outreach workers for individual support. The overall goal of this program is to contribute to the healthy development of children and families who may be living in conditions of risk or facing challenging life circumstances and would benefit from support.
Family Development Program: The Family Development Program assists children, youth and families involved with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The Family Development Program offers individualized outreach support to families and youth who require intervention and support. Referrals are only though MCFD.
Sexual Abuse Intervention Program: Provides a range of appropriate, therapeutic and educative treatment and/or support services to children and youth ages 3 -18 ( up to their 19th birthday) who have been sexually abused, and to children under the age of 12 with sexual acting out behaviours. Treatment may include individual counselling and/or family support depending on the needs of the young person, to facilitate healing within the family system. Intervention methods are strength-based and child-focused, using a variety of expressive therapies and counselling approaches. At times the program may do small presentations in the community covering topics related to sexual abuse such as safety, secrets, communication, boundaries and emotions.
‘Creating Calm’: Child and Youth Anxiety Support Group: an educational therapeutic support group for children and youth experiencing anxiety. Children and youth will be taught a variety of skills to cope with and manage their anxiety. Parents will be offered methods to identify anxiety symptoms, and intervene to support the development of more confident, self-reliant behaviour in their children. A pre-admittance interview is done with the parent. Groups have 6-8 participants and run four (4) times a year for two separate age groups: 7- 9 year olds and 10-12 year olds. Groups run for 10 weeks; 8 weeks the children attend with parents coming for the last 20 minutes of each session & additionally 2 weeks are for the parents only.
Community Based Victims Services Program: Provides information, community referrals, emotional, practical and court support to victims, their families and witnesses. The program provides emotional support, justice related information referrals and practical assistance to victims and their families, of crime and trauma. Many instances of physical and sexual abuse go unreported; the program offers a safe place to talk about relationship violence, abuse and sexual assault where the focus is not just on the criminal justice system. The program is free and open to self and community referrals.