Aboriginal Family Support Programs


The Aboriginal Family Support Program is here to offer educational, cultural, preventative, and supportive services to parents and children, newborn to six years of age.

This program was developed by Brighter Futures, Health Canada to provide direct services and programs to Native youth, single parents, and high risk families in the areas of effective parenting, child development, fetal alcohol effects, pre-parenting preparation, and good life teachings.

Program Objectives:
It is our goal to provide our community with the following:

  • to allow individuals in need, an opportunity to be educated on parenting.
  • to recognize and meet the needs during the developmental year of infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children
  • to help parents development traditional family values that are culturally based
  • to provide an atmosphere where clients are able to access current information about parenting.
  • to provide information concerning FAS/FAE and Fetal Smoking Syndrome.

Weekly Programming: 

Monday:           Parent’s Time Out 10:00–2:00

Parent’s Time Out is available to children 7 months to 6 years of age. This program benefits the whole family. Children learn routine, socialization skills, develop and enhance their milestones, independence, develop whole self, as well as learn from their peers. Children are taught culture through story time, songs, and crafts. Children are provided with a nutritious snack and lunch according to the Native and Canada Food Guides. Parents benefit from this program by gaining the opportunity to run errands, attend appointments, and having time away for self care.

Tuesday:          Fresh Start 1:00–3:00

This program is all about healthy living. It alternates between a healthy cooking/baking class called Snack Attack one week and physically active programming the next week. This program was created to assist families in making healthier lifestyle choices.

Wednesday:     Our Family Circle Winter 1:00–3:00 Summer 11:00–2:00

Our Family Circle offers information sessions on a variety of parenting topics, often lead by guest speakers. During the summer months we pack a picnic lunch to provide our participants with a day at the beach.

Thursday:         Community Kitchen 10:00-12:00 or 1:00-3:00

Community Kitchen educates clients on how to prepare nutritious meals following the Native and Canada Food Guides on a fixed income. It also teaches our clients how to safely prepare and store food. Each staff member takes a turn leading the group in preparing a full course meal that is both delicious and healthy. After parents, caregivers or extended family members have prepared their meals they take it home to feed their families.

Note:   Most of these programs require you to sign up in advance please contact a staff member for more information.

Other Services:

  • Daily Drop in Centre
  • One to One Support
  • Resource Library
  • Halloween Costume Exchange
  • Clothing exchange
  • Referrals
  • Educational material
  • Community presentations/workshops
  • Coats 4 Kids
  • Emergency assistance
  • Client transportation
  • Elder visits
  • We provide a Breastfeeding Friendly Environment

NOTE: All programming activities target spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of parents and children in our community.

For More Information you can Contact:
Karly Chepil, Family Support Coordinator at:
Tel: 274-3762 - Fax: 274-4067
Email: unfcafsp@jam21.net

Hours:
Summer Hours: Monday Wednesday & Thursday 8:30 – 3:30
Tuesday & Friday 8:30 – 4:00
Winter Hours: Monday & Thursday 8:30 – 3:30
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30 – 4:30