Parent Development

Free programs for adults wanting to:

• Work towards their Adult Dogwood
• Upgrade their English and/or Math skills
• Be better able to help their children with their homework
• Improve communication and computer skills
• Get back into a school setting after being out of school for a while
• Improve workplace skills

Programs offered:

• FREE Licensed Infant/Toddler and Pre-School on site
• Nutrition breakfast and snack for adults and children
• Personal Development and parenting education
• Educational Planning and Workplace Skills
• Supportive environment with 1-1 tutoring available
• Upgrading class with UFV instructor

For more information contact Laura Watson, Family Literacy Coordinator, 604-845-0379 or watsonl@comserv.bc.ca.

Best Beginnings provides public health services to pregnant women, new moms, babies and children to age 2.

Ann Davis Society provides support, education and advocacy for parents and children 6-14 caught in the middle of parental relationship breakdown or divorce.

Contact Ann Davis Transition Society for dates and times, 604-792-2760 or info@anndavis.org.

This 10 hour workshop sponsored by the Ministry of Children and Family Development is designed to help couples communicate and manage conflict more effectively. With the assistance of trained professionals, couples will learn and practice listening, speaking, and conflict resolution skills in a safe and comfortable environment.

For more information call 604-792-2760.

There aren’t many people around you who understand the pain caused by your separation or divorce. That’s the reason for DivorceCare. It’s a special thirteen week faith-based support group and seminar conducted by people who understand what you are experiencing and will help you deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life.

For more information or to register visit their website or contact City Life Centre at 604-792-0694 or office@citylifecentre.ca.

In addition to the good work that other organizations in the area are doing, City Life Centre has launched a weekly recovery meeting for those searching for help in dealing with addiction. We have developed a very welcoming and inclusive program, incorporating both the Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous and other materials and resources that address some of the root causes of addiction. Recovery meetings occur every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 PM at Decades Coffee Club at 45846 Wellington Avenue.

For more information contact Jim & Riette at 604-701-7041 or cityliferecovery@live.ca.

Receive UFV upgrading course focusing on workplace skills, while your children receive free preschool and infant/toddler care. Full funding available for eligible students.

For more information contact Laura Watson, Family Literacy Coordinator, 604-845-0379 or watsonl@comserv.bc.ca.

A group based program with individual components aimed at enhancing the ability of parents to manage their children and improve their own social and emotional well-being. In home support and peer support. For families with children from birth to 12 years where the children may be deemed to be at risk of harm in the family environment. Space available for a max of 12 children. Held at Central Elementary Community School, 9435 Young Road. Transportation is available. Referral through the Ministry of Children and Family Development and community agencies and self.

For more information contact Sandy Seib, Chilliwack Community Services, at 604-793-7225.

A Family Support Worker is often the first person a family meets when their child is referred to Fraser Valley Child Development Centre (FVCDC). Their role is easily defined: they support families whose children are receiving services from the Centre. The help they provide is often invaluable, as they have a wealth of information regarding community resources and services. Family Support Workers seek their direction from each of the families they work with, understanding that no two are alike in terms of needs and priorities, strengths and capacity.

For more information visit www.fvcdc.org.

Families are able to attend sessions and receive therapy for a variety of reasons, including wanting to improve communication, resolve conflict, and gain new skills in parenting and partnering.

Contact Ann Davis Transition Society for dates and times, 604-792-2760 or info@anndavis.org.

Direct counselling to parents regarding behaviour management and communication skills, and encouragement of support networking for the whole family.  Also, counseling and/or development of recreational/socialization experiences for children as needed. For families with children who need support.  To take place in the family home or in the community. Referral through Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD); contracted service with MCFD. Office located at 45938 Wellington Avenue.

For more information contact Jackie Ayer at 604-793-7237.

Need help with reading, writing, math, computers or English? Volunteer tutors help people who haven’t finished high school or are new to Canada and learning the English language.

For more Volunteer Tutor Program information contact Chilliwack Learning Society, 604-701-9794 or info@chilliwacklearning.com.

Learn how to integrate literacy skills into your family time. Contact Marci at Chilliwack Learning Society to make arrangements for a Fun Family Literacy Workshop for a small group of parents. Cost sharing is appreciated.

Phone 604-701-9794 or email marcib@chilliwacklearning.com.

Support for pregnant and parenting youth ages 15-19 to help them graduate from high school and parent successfully.  Includes individualized programs, career and personal counselling, academic support, family management and life skills and links to other community services and programs.

Contact the School District #33 Education Centre at 604-792-9277 Ext 228 or cheryl_bulycz@sd33.bc.ca.

Gateway for Families has been identified as a community hub which hosts Community Partner programming that respectfully engages inner core community members from all age, ethnic, and socio-economic realms in opportunities that promote health and independence in their lives. These supports are delivered mainly during the school day through the collaboration of community agencies that provide services to children and their families within the Chilliwack Downtown Community.  It is also a family learning and resource centre with the goal to strengthen the literacy and core skills of adults to support the family as a learning unit. Licensed childcare is provided for morning participants at 9435 Young Road.

For more information contact Community School Coordinator, Shannon Carmichael at 604-792-8539.

Download this free parenting app from ZERO to THREE, which has fun activities, organized by age and routine, for parents to use to support their young child’s early learning – from iTunes or Google Play Store.

Families with children under the age of three who find themselves in financial crisis are helped by providing items such as diapers, wipes, cookies, baby food, formula and toiletries, highchairs, strollers, cribs and car seats. There is also a partnership with StreetHope New and Used to provide clothing in emergency cases. Clients range from someone being temporarily out of work, to grandparents on a fixed income, to single parents or families on disability. Each family applying for assistance must qualify financially, and is permitted 2 visits to the office per month. Open Monday to Thursday from noon to 4pm. Located at Unit 2 45789 Spadina Avenue.

Contact Meadow Rose Society at 604-392-1133, or for emergencies call 604-845-5432. Email address is help@meadowrosesociety.com.

This toolkit was developed for families and community service providers, for education, advocacy, and treatment support for mothers with mental health problems. Click this link to open the pdf.

Responding to each family’s unique needs with individually designed parent modelling support.

Contact Ann Davis Transition Society at 604-792-2760 or info@anndavis.org.

The Parenting Wisely course helps parents and caregivers acquire strategies and techniques to successfully deal with common child-rearing issues.

For more information visit www.fvcdc.org.

Stepping Stones Triple P is for parents of children with a developmental disability, and gives you ways to deal with the kinds of childhood behaviour problems and issues that can make family life stressful. Stepping Stones Triple P has been evaluated with real families and has been shown to work with children with intellectual and physical disabilities who have disruptive behaviour.

For more information call Kiran Sidhu at 604-824-8760 Ext 245. Offered by Fraser Valley Child Development Centre.

This support group is for relatives raising dependant relatives and is an opportunity for peer support as well as education. It meets monthly at Chilliwack Community Services, 7112 Vedder Road, alternating days and evenings.

To join the group, contact Bev Stobbe at 604-793-7240 or stobbeb@comserv.bc.ca.

Right from the Start (RFTS) is an 8-session parenting course designed to enhance parents’ skills in reading infant cues and responding sensitively. The course uses attachment theory as a framework and active adult learning principles. RFTS is appropriate for any parent or caregiver of an infant under 24 months.

Contact Cristal Biela at 604-702-2311 for dates.

Support program for Single and at-risk mothers of children prenatal to age 5.

For more information visit their website, call 604-819-6556, or email sardisdoorway@shaw.ca.

Blending a stepfamily can be tough, especially when you don’t know where to start. Smart Stepfamilies is an eight-week faith-based support group and seminar conducted by people that understand what you are experiencing. Come and be empowered as a remarried couple and stepfamily for successful family living.

For more information or to register visit our website or contact City Life Centre at 604-792-0694 or office@citylifecentre.ca.

The purpose of this program is to create a safe, secure and comfortable environment for the child(ren) to visit with the parent enrolled in the Program. An objective written report is provided, based on what is seen and heard during the supervised visit, which may be used for court purposes. Also, at the parents request parenting suggestions are offered, as well as information to make the visits as easy on the child(ren) as possible.

For further information contact Ann Davis Transition Society at 604-792-2760 or info@anndavis.org.

Offers information on a variety of legal issues, as well as support and resource referrals for clients dealing with legal problems. The program provides legal advocacy appointments that are free and confidential. Clients can access information on:

• Help to deal with B.C. Income Assistance issues
• How to apply for Federal (CPP) and Provincial (PWDB) disability benefits, and how to appeal or seek a review of decisions
• Tenant rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancy Act
• Residential Tenancy dispute resolution forms and processes
• Understanding your rights regarding legal protection against Family Violence
• Family Law Issues and free or low cost legal resources
• Family Law Protection Orders/Peace Bonds
• Options for dispute resolution of family law problems
• Accessing court resources and court forms
• Debt and bankruptcy

Contact Ann Davis Transition Society at 604-792-2760 or info@anndavis.org to make an appointment.

Group Triple P is a 10 week program that can help you:

• encourage behavior you like
• deal with problem behavior
• become confident as a parent
• be realistic about parenting
• take care of yourself

Group Triple P is a great opportunity to meet other parents in similar situations – other parents who will support you and share stories with you.

From the start, you’ll be given tips and suggestions to suit the needs of your family. You’ll see scenes from the Every Parent’s Survival Guide DVD, which will show you how the ideas work in real life. And your workbook will give you the tools and information you need to start positive parenting straight away at home. Your Triple P provider will guide you every step of the way and even provide backup phone support as you put your new skills into practice.

For more information contact Sandy Seib, Chilliwack Community Services, at 604-793-7225.

Ann Davis offers three different groups year round for women experiencing abuse. The Pattern Changing Group explores the cycle of abuse and teaches how to set healthy boundaries. The Codependency Group aims to de-mystify co-dependency and explains how to detach from a toxic relationship. The Self-Management Group explores how to manage anger and other overwhelming emotions through assertive communication, emotional regulation, and relaxation techniques.

Contact Ann Davis Transition Society at 604-792-2760 or info@anndavis.org for specific dates and times.