About Us
The Family Support Institute is a volunteer-powered network across BC that provides peer-to-peer support, information, events and training and community.
About Us
The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not for profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability.
FSI is unique in Canada and the only grass roots family-to-family organization with a broad volunteer base.
FSI’s supports and services are FREE to any family.
Get in touch by phone
1-800-441-5403
All individuals and families are supported, connected and fully valued in their communities.
To strengthen, connect and build communities and resources with families of people with disabilities in BC
The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) honours that FSI grew out of an era that did not value the pivotal role of families. Therefore, FSI believes:
- Families are the best voice to speak for their unique circ*mstances
- Informed, involved, and confident families are the most effective agents for creating social change
- Informed families are more empowered to speak for themselves when needed
- Families are the best resource to support one another
- Families have a critical role in shaping the future for their family members
*All guiding principles will be led by our Vision, Mission and Beliefs as an organization in all we do
- Keep the organization’s vision, mission and beliefs at the heart of all we do.
- Support, mentor, and build capacity in families.
- Promote inclusion for people with disabilities and their families in all aspects of our work.
- Promote equal rights and equitable opportunities for people with disabilities and their families in all aspects of our work.
- Support families to advocate for and promote quality supports and services for people. with disabilities and their families and respect choice and diversity in all areas of life.
- Celebrate and support team members for exemplary teamwork and collaboration.
- Share knowledge and best practice in family support, advocacy, stakeholder relations, and projects always.
- Build relationships with community partners who align themselves with the organization.
- Advocate for the social change.
- Participate and contribute in community and with families.
- Value diversity in backgrounds, experience and perspectives.
- Be inclusive – inviting and accepting of differences in one another.
FSI WAS CREATED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES WHO FACED THE EXTRAORDINARY CIRc*msTANCES THAT COME FROM HAVING A FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DISABILITY.
In 1985, the members of a family support committee of Inclusion BC discussed ways to better support families.Our founding members were facing the challenges of institutions, navigating segregated education systems, and making an inclusive and valued place for them in society. At the time, families were not recognized as vital voices in decision making for their loved ones. They wanted better lives for their children and knew there were hundreds of other families like them across the province who wanted the same. It became clear that there was a need for an organization to bring these families together to provide this family support. In the fall of 1986, with funds from the St. Christopher’s Foundation, the Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) was established.
The first of its kind in Canada, FSI became a separate non-profit agency. The mandate of the Family Support Institute of BC is to strengthen families who had a son or daughter with any disability. FSI began with 6 volunteer Resource parents and have now grown to over 260.
- 1987: FSI held it's first Training Weekend on Bowen Island.
- 1992: FSI became a Registered Charity.
- 2018: Historian Committee was created in 2018. This committee continues educating our board, members, staff, network and community on the history of the FSI.
Welcome
Bonnie's Story
WayFinders
Our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
Family Support
Email FSI
Executive Director
Email Angela
Training & Special Events
Email Training Coordinator
Board of FSI
Email FSI Board
FSI Board of Directors
The Board makes decisions on the policy and direction of the Family Support Institute. Most board members are family members of people with disabilities. Some of our board members are also Resource Parents/Peers.
Executive
Ellen Tarshis
President
Region: Island
Came on FSI board:
June 9, 2023
Jane Holland
Vice-President
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
June 17th, 2019
Adam Gartland, Treasurer
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:
April 28, 2021
Directors
Cathy Anthony
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board: June 9, 2023
Bonnie Fallowfield
Region: North
Came on FSI board:
March 31, 2023
Nicole Kaler
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024
David Paynter
Region: Interior
Came on FSI board:
October 27, 2018
Linda Perry
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
March 31, 2023
Izabelle Stevens
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:April 9, 2022
Ping Wang
Region: Interior
Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024
Lori Woods
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
December 3, 2018
Izabelle Stevens
Region: Vancouver Coastal
Came on FSI board:April 9, 2022
Lori Woods
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
December 3, 2018
Dominic Rockall
Region: Island
Came on FSI board:
December 3, 2018
Nicole Kaler
Region: Fraser Valley
Came on FSI board:
May 23, 2024
FSI Staff
Angela Clancy
Executive Director
604-540-8374 ext. 6
Patti Mertz
Director of Programs
604-540-8374 ext. 7
Laranna Scott
Indigenous Practice Advisor
604-540-8374 ext. 8
Lisa Butt
Office Manager
604-540-8374 ext. 1
Nancy Chan
Office Manager (on leave)
Karen Speijer
Team Lead, Transition and Adult Family Supports
604-540-8374
Robyn Kendurkar
Team Lead, Early Years and Children’s Family Supports; Newsletter Editor
604-540-8374
Linnette Gratton
Provincial Engagement Lead
604-540-8374 ext. 9
Meilani Johnson
Communications Specialist
Penny Lopez
Family Support Coordinator
(NACL Liaison)
604-540-8374 ext. 4
Lindsay Thompson
Family Support Coordinator 604-540-8374 ext. 5
Lama Alsaafin
Family Support Coordinator
604-540-8374 ext. 2
Mayuko Arai
Family Support ToolKit Developer
604-540-8374
Joe Liang
Technology Support
604-540-8374
Miranda Hersco
Online Resource Coordinator
Heather Beach
Regional Network Coordinator
Cari Rawling
Regional Network Coordinator
Esther King
Regional Network Coordinator
Increase awareness of FSI throughout the province so families find us when they need us.
Strengthen our programs, particularly in Northern, rural, and remote communities.
Strengthen FSI’s organizational capacity to be healthy and sustainable to better serve families.
Raise the voices of families and people with disabilities to affect systemic change in BC.
Embed and embrace Equity, Decolonization and Inclusion in all aspects for the organization.
FSI Privacy Consent and Authorization
- You understand and agree that you are providing the Family Support Institute of BC (“FSI”) with personal information, either of yourself or on behalf of another individual regarding whom assistance is sought (the “Personal Information”). The Personal Information may include, but is not limited to, medical information, health care history, education information, financial information, employment information, and/or contact information.
- You represent and warrant that you have the authority to provide the Personal Information to FSI.
- You consent to the collection, use and disclosure of the Personal Information for the purpose of participating in the programs and/or activities of FSI. You understand and consent to this information being used to facilitate participation in the programs and activities of FSI, including, but not limited to, support programs; workshops & training; networking opportunities; and information and referrals.
- You understand and consent to the Personal Information being provided to FSI personnel, including, but not limited to Resource Parents and Resource Peers.
- You understand that FSI is collecting the Personal Information under the applicable provincial legislation and any questions about the collection, use or disclosure of the Personal Information may be directed to.
- By submitting the form, you agree that you understand the above consent and authorization and you represent and warrant that you have proper authority to provide such consent and authorization. You further understand and agree that you are providing consent and authorization to FSI concerning the Personal Information as set out herein.
