The Family Support Institute (FSI)

The Family Support Institute was founded in 1986 with the help of the BC Association for Community Living. It was created in response to the request and need of families of people with disabilities for an independent organization that would "strengthen families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability."

Believing that families are the best resources available to support one another, FSI organizes training for local parents as volunteers in communities across BC to be regional resource parents.

A regional resource parent is the parent of a child with a disability who can offer you a variety of supports. FSI also offers workshops, information and a lending library. FSI can be reached at 604-540-8374 / toll free 1-800-441-5403 or email: fsi@fsibc.com. Visit the website at: http://www.familysupportbc.com/.

FSI publishes a monthly newsletter that is available on their website. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. Visit their website for more information:www.familysupportbc.com.

The Family Support Institute recently launched a BC-wide website (www.supportworkercentral.com) where individuals or their families can create job profiles and connect with freelance support workers in their communities.