Programs and Services
Family Preservation – Community

Family Preservation – Community

Supporting families to stay safely together by strengthening caregiving, rebuilding trust and creating space for healing, connection and growth.

At a Glance
Supporting families to stay safely together by strengthening caregiving, rebuilding trust and creating space for healing, connection and growth.

Who's It for

  • Families from CSFS Member Nations living on reserve
  • Caregivers involved, or at risk of involvement, with Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)
  • Parents and extended family members seeking support, connection or guidance

Where It's Offered

Burns Lake, Fort St. James and Vanderhoof, with life skills programming available to nearby communities such as Houston and Smithers.

What We Help With

  • Parenting support and education, including the evidence-based Circle of Security Parenting program
  • Safety planning, family violence support and advocacy
  • Grief and loss programs for children and adults
  • Life skills development and coping tools
  • Warm referrals to CSFS and community services

How To Access

  • Call a Family Preservation office
  • Ask an MCFD social worker, school counsellor or community professional
  • Self-refer at any time — no file required

About the Program

Families deserve support that strengthens, not separates.

Family Preservation helps keep children safely with their families by offering guidance, resources and healing spaces that build caregivers’ confidence and capacity.

The program is co-funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the First Nations Health Authority and is grounded in cultural teachings, respect and dignity.

Services may include one-on-one support, parenting groups, safety planning, grief and loss programming and life skills development.

This service is co-funded by the MCFD and the First Nations Health Authority

Eligibility

  • Families from CSFS Member Nations in Burns Lake, Fort St. James and Vanderhoof
  • Indigenous families seeking voluntary support, with or without an open MCFD file
  • Parents and caregivers wanting support before, during or after involvement with MCFD
  • Families seeking help with parenting, relationships, stress, grief, loss or experiences of violence
  • Individuals interested in joining support groups or learning new skills

If you are unsure whether you qualify, the team can help.

How We Can Support You

Parenting and Family Strengthening; Parenting groups (5–8 weeks); Support for single and teen parents; Parent-to-parent connections; Activities to support child development
Safety and Family Violence Support – When Love Hurts; A safe, confidential group for women who have experienced violence or abuse; Tools to recognize harm and build safety; Strength through shared stories and lived experience
Life Skills and Adult Supports; Stress management and coping skills; Support to build routines and confidence; Practical, culturally grounded guidance
Children’s Grief and Loss – Rainbows, Sunbeam, Spectrum; Groups for children and youth processing divorce, death or major change; Support to understand loss and build resilience
Caregiver and Adult Grief Programs – PRISM and Kaleidoscope; PRISM: Support for caregivers alongside their grieving children; Kaleidoscope: Support for adults processing recent or historical grief; Both run for 12 weeks and end with a closing session to honour the work done
Referrals and Connections; Links to CSFS programs such as Mental Health and Wellness or Bridging to Employment; Support connecting with legal, health, school or community services

How to Access Support

You can connect with Family Preservation in the way that works best for you:

  • Call the program directly: A worker will answer your questions and help you get started.
  • Ask a professional you trust: Social workers, teachers, counsellors and health staff can refer you with your permission.
  • Self-refer at any time: No Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) file or paperwork is required.

Once connected, you can join parenting groups, life skills programs or grief and loss supports.

Support is voluntary, confidential and grounded in cultural safety.

Contacts and Locations

Naomi Locheed

Prevention Services Manager - Community
nlocheed@csfs.org

Vanderhoof Office

250-567-2900

Burns Lake Office

250-692-3997

Fort St. James Office

(250) 996-7640

Vanderhoof Office

240 West Stewart St Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. -to 4:30 p.m.

(Program schedules vary.)

Burns Lake Office

492 Highway 16 Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. -to 4:30 p.m.

(Program schedules vary.)

Fort St. James Office

231-250 Douglas Avenue, Fort St James, BC V0J 1P0

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. -to 4:30 p.m.

(Program schedules vary.)

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