COMOX VALLEY FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION
1415 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay BC V9N 2K6
Phone: 250-338-7575 Fax: 250-338-2343
Email: info@cvfsa.org Website: www.comoxvalleyfamilyservices.com
Contact: Executive Director 250-338-7575 ext.227
Hours: Administration/ Main Office: Monday to Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00pm
Closed over lunch 12-1 and on Stats
Program times vary – please contact program for more information
Mission Statement:
Comox Valley Family Services Association builds on individual and family strengths which support growth and healthy lifestyles.
Programs & Services:
Healthy Families Programs
Program Manager 250-871-7577
Offices at 1507C McPhee, Courtenay. Groups are held at various locations.
TheHealthy Families Program is an accredited B.C. Family Resource Program which supports pregnant women, parents and caregivers to provide children (birth up to 3rd year) with a strong foundation in life.
No cost. Open to the community & self-referrals. Please contact 250-871-7577 in case there are any referral requirements for any of the programming aspects.
Various programming – check out our website for further information.
Two examples are:
Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)
(including Stay N’ Play and Toddler Time)
- For parents with children birth to 3rd year
- Weekly drop-in program providing parent education on care-taking, safety and injury prevention, nutrition and infant/child development
- Transportation, lunch and childcare provided
- Open referral and no cost
Healthy Babies Prenatal Nutrition Program
- Pregnancy outreach program for pregnant women up to 6 months postpartum
- One on one outreach counselling
- Weekly group support, free vitamins, $10 food voucher
- Assist with breastfeeding concerns
- Diet and networking opportunities.
- Transportation and lunch provided.
- Open referral and no cost
Funders: Public Health Agency of Canada, United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island, BC Gaming
Family Development Program (FDP)
Program Manager at 250-338-7575
No cost. Referrals only from Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).Family development program helps to develop positive family relations, teach positive parenting, life skills, communication and behaviour management strategies; and assist families in accessing appropriate and available community resources. Families are referred by social workers with MCFD. Services provided may include one-on-one work, youth work, family work and/or group work to meet Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) service delivery needs. For parents and/or custodians of children/youth aged birth to under 19 years of age.
Sexual Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP)
No cost. Open to the community & self-referrals: 250-338-7575. Therapy and education offered for children, youth and families
Community-based program which provides specialized assessment and therapeutic treatment services to children and youth under age 19 who have been sexually abused, and their families.
SAIP also provides specialized assessment, treatment and consultation services for children under 12 years of age who have sexual behaviour problems, and their caregivers.
Funder: Ministry of Children and Family Development – Child and Youth Mental Health.
- Monday – Wednesday: Sarah ext. 222
- Wednesday – Friday: Leslie ext. 223
SAIP has two distinct parts:
- Children under 12 with sexual behaviour problems
- Children and youth 3 to under 19 years of age who have experienced sexual abuse
Child and Youth Sexuality Information/Consult
No cost. Open to the community & self-referrals. Ph.: 250-338-7575 ext. 222 or ext. 223
- Free information, education and/or referral
- Open to anyone in the community with children under the age of 19, with concerns about childhood sexuality, normal sexual development, problematic sexual behaviours, recognizing and disclosing sexual abuse and dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse
Child and Youth Anxiety Group: ‘Creating Calm’
No cost. Open to the community & self-referrals Ph.:250-338-7575 ext. 223
Funder: Child and Youth Mental Health (MCFD), First Credit Union
The key activities in each 8-10 week program involved physical relaxation techniques, increased awareness of negative thought patterns, methods to challenge worried thoughts, positive self-talk and social skills.
Parental involvement is an essential part of the group format. The group is run 4 times a year. Wednesdays in an after school time period with two facilitators. It does not run over the summer period.
- For children with anxiety challenges and their families
- Groups are by age: 7–9 and 10-12 Group size is 6-8 children. There is a required parental component Community Based Victim Services Program (CBVS)
No cost. Open to the community & self-referrals. In order to access our services, you may or may not have reported an offense to the police. If in need of immediate assistance call 9-1-1 or Crisis Line 1-888-494-3888
Program provides information, community referrals, emotional, practical and court support to victims, their families and witnesses.
a) Victim of sexual assault and abuse – Isabel 250-338-7575 ext. 224 b) Victim of domestic violence, stalking or harassment – Melissa 250-338-7575 ext. 226
Funder: Ministry of Justice – Victim Service and Crime Prevention
Collaborative Planning Program
Coordinator: April 250- 334-5877
No cost. Referrals only from Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
Co-coordinator facilitates Family Case Planning Conferences (FCPC) and Family Group Conferences (FGC). Also may offer Youth Transition Conferences (YTC) to youth ages 16, 17, and 18 that are either on youth agreements, independent living or aging out of permanent care. The purpose is to identify a support system for a child; with specific goals and brainstorming on how to achieve them. Coordinator role in all 3 aspects is to help facilitate meetings that involve family members to be a part of the planning for children in their family.