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VACFSS

VACFSS

Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society

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Home   >   Caregiving   >   Become a Caregiver

Interested in becoming a caregiver?

To register for an information session, please complete the form below.

  • Are you Indigenous? If Yes, please specify:
  • Do you have a spare bedroom available for a child/youth?
  • Caregivers must currently be a Canadian citizen or Permanent resident of Canada, please select your status:
  • Those interested in caregiving with VACFSS must reside in one of the following geographical locations. Please select which city you are currently a resident of:
  • How did you hear about us?

Send us an email at care@vacfss.com or call 604-216-6118 for any questions.

 

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Join Our Circle of Caregivers

We are seeking caregivers residing in the Greater Vancouver area that can provide a nurturing and loving home for children and youth. Caregivers are supported to succeed in their role with holistic training, including a caregiver cultural camp, workshops, ceremony and access to online cultural resources.

Our Resources program is guided by the Child Family and Community Services Act (CFCSA). Children in care the right to remain connected with their immediate/extended family, their heritage and/or community; this is known as Inclusive Foster Care. Inclusive caregiving was identified as a step to begin transforming the foster care system to include the ongoing participation of parents and extended family in caring for their children. The focus is on the best interest of the child; the goal is preserving the family ties. It is a partnership where parents and caregivers teach and support each other to care for the child.

Those interested in caregiving with VACFSS must reside in one of the following geographical locations: Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, and Delta.

Types of family homes :

VACFSS is seeking short and long-term family care homes as well as relief and respite caregivers. Respite care is when a person or family temporarily cares for another family’s child. This gives the child’s biological family a break so the parents can get step away for some restorative time. Relief care is providing a break to other foster caregivers.

Time Frame:

The complete process to become a foster caregiver is 6 to 8 months, and at times longer. We value your patience while the work is in progress.

STEPS TO BECOMING A CAREGIVER

  • 1. Establish what your reasons and motivations are for wanting to become a caregiver

  • We are seeking individuals who can care for children and provide the below;

    • Patience, understanding, appreciation and love for children and youth;
    • Who are knowledgeable and experienced with children’s needs and have a commitment to making a positive contribution to their lives;
    • Who will maintain a stable, structured and positive home environment;
    • Who have a willingness to participate in ongoing training opportunities to enhance and support their roles as caregivers;
    • Who are willing to take an active role as part of a professional team working with children in care;
    • Who value and actively participate in VACFSS’s Inclusive Foster Care policy that provides opportunities for children to remain connected with their cultural heritage and families;
    • Who live within the lower mainland geographic area and have access to their community resources and services;
    • That have the physical space to accommodate a child.

    If you have these qualities and can provide a nurturing, caring, loving home to children in care, we welcome you to join our circle!

  • 2. Submit contact form

  • Submit your contact information using the form at the bottom of this page. Once the form is submitted, a social worker will have a conversation with you about your interest in caregiving. This conversation can be a first helpful tool to assess yourself and your decision to continue the process to become a caregiver.

  • 3. Attend an information session

  • You will then be invited to an information session where the process of becoming a caregiver will be described on a visual or in person platform with other applicants. We will have guest speakers , youth and caregivers who will present their lived experience.

    Information sessions occur every second Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm virtually via Zoom.

  • 4. Request and complete an application to provide care

  • At your request, after attending an information session, an application package will be mailed to you to complete then return in person or mail to our office to begin processing. A resource file will be opened and our recruitment team will process the application; if successful, your application will move forward with a home study.

  • 5. The Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study

  • A social worker will commence the SAFE home study interviews with a number of sessions that will be arranged. Areas that will be discussed are: your history, personal characteristics, partner relationship, a conversation with everyone who lives in the home, addressing extended family relations, viewing the physical environment of your home and assessing general parenting styles and skill.

    We offer a support system and expect our caregivers to work in partnership with VACFSS and our contracted partners. When a home study is completed, a recommendation to close the application or move forward as an approved caregiver is provided.

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What are the different types of caregiving?

  1. Respite care: when a person or family temporarily cares for another family’s child. This gives the child’s biological family a break so the parents can step away for some restorative time.
  2. Foster care: provides alternative care for children who are unable to live with their birth parents or legal guardians. We embrace the learning and teachings of Indigenous Knowledge and Oral Traditions, and are committed to providing the best alternative care for Indigenous children.
  3. Relief care: provides a break to foster caregivers in caring for the child(ren).
See other questions about caregiving

  • Call
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  • Information Session

Call Us

Call us between from 8:30AM – 4:30PM and ask to speak to a caregiver recruiter at 604-216-6118.

Email Us

Send us an email at care@vacfss.com.

 

Join Us

Information sessions occur every second Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm* virtually via Zoom. Submit a registration form (above) to join our next session.

*Additional sessions available throughout the month; days will vary

Read the stories

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Two-Spirit Caregiver Redefining the Meaning of Family through Foster Care

...read more
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Caregiver Voices: “We need community supports after a child leaves care”

...read more
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Caregiver Voices: “I get the peace I didn’t have as a kid by providing it to these kids”

...read more
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About

  • Overview
  • History
  • Vision & Mission
  • Board of Directors
  • Annual Reports & Publications
  • Policy & Research
  • Protocols

Join Us

  • Working at VACFSS
  • Practicum Opportunities
  • Careers
  • Become a member

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  • News & Stories
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