AFSA - Association of Family Serving Agencies

Committed to ensuring a healthy community for families in the Capital Region

The Association of Family Serving Agencies believes that by supporting each other and working together through cooperation, exploration, creativity and innovation in a diverse society, we enable our members to support and strengthen families. AFSA members believe that families can be environments where individuals can nurture and be nurtured by others, feel a sense of belonging and self worth and accept and celebrate the self worth of others. Within families we can teach and learn together.

Goals of AFSA

To fulfill our roles of planning, networking, representation, advocacy and education, the goals of AFSA are:

• To share information and support one another in accessing appropriate services for people
• To promote and improve the availability of high-quality programs to meet the needs of the community
• To increase communication and develop relationships between AFSA members and local and regional planning and decision making bodies
• To promote research, education, evaluation and continuous quality improvement
• To promote education and training opportunities for members
• To promote funding mechanisms which are responsive to and respectful of the community

Benefits of AFSA membership

As well as paying reduced rates at all AFSA events, AFSA members receive a significantly reduced advertising rate from Island Parent Magazine to be listed in the magazine's Family Services Directory, published 10 times per year. Current AFSA members who would like to be listed in this directory can contact info@communitycouncil.ca.

Click here to download an AFSA membership form.

AFSA Resources

	Powering-Up Event - City Hall and Families - November 9, 2011 October 21, 2011- Join CBC’s Gregor Craigie and a power-house panel at the Metro Theatre for this talk-show style forum, followed by an open-mic. We’ll look at what smart local governments can and are doing to support the delivery of community social services. The second in the Power-Up series. Click here to read more.
	Boards Together VI June 29, 2011 - This summer evening was well-spent taking in two passionate and informed speakers. The first, Debbie Thompson, ED of the GV Coalition to End Homelessness, spoke of the challenges and successes of the Coalition’s efforts. The second presentation reported on an on-going paper from two Public Affairs Admin students from UVic. They are looking at both the best practices for delivery of social services comparing our region to other similar populations, and what is actually being delivered. Click here to read report.
	Powering-Up the Community! May 5, 2011 - The first in a series asked how we, as a community, could Power-Up the conversation about having a fully-supported community social service sector. The always energetic, Dr. Michael Hayes presented on the social determinants health and followed by a lively Q&A, and then a wine and cheese mixer. Read both the report and one-sheet document.
	Boards Together V Feb 9, 2011 - Best Practices in Governance. This to-capacity session was help in the western communities at Pacific Centre for the Family’s Wale Rd location. Board Voices’ Mike Sidhu provided an over-view of best practices for board governance. Patti Sullivan of Boys & Girls Club reviewed board issues including the values of effective board policy, client involvement in boards and conflict of interest. Click here to read.
	Boards Together IV October 13, 2010 - Building Relationships – Looking at where efficiencies can take place and collaborations make sense was the theme of the evening. ‘Strategies, roles and concerns’ were the focus points of discussion for the first half of this evening’ session, followed by real-life examples of collaboration as board members from two agencies shared their successes and challenges of working together. Click here to read.
	Boards Together III June 23, 2010 - Advocacy & Awareness. This 2-hour session included both newcomers to the series and others that had been participating from the beginning. Board Voices’ Jenelle Cooper facilitated the evening. The session was split into group brainstorming sessions, followed by an engaging presentation from communications expert and freelance journalist Jody Paterson. Click here to read.
	Boards Together II May 5, 2010 - The second in the series of brainstorming and strategy session saw over 20 local agencies represented. From these steps concrete plans began to emerge. Click here to read.
	Boards Together - next steps April 14, 2010 - Read the next steps for Boards Together.
	Inaugural meeting of Boards Together media release April 9, 2010 - For the very first time in the Capital Region, and perhaps BC, board members from over 36 different social service agencies in this region gathered for what is the first in a series of brainstorming and strategy sessions, entitled, Boards Together.
	Boards Together backgrounder April 7, 2010 - Board members from over 36 different social service agencies in BC's Capital region gather to discuss the current funding climate. Here is the backgrounder document prepared for the inaugural meeting.
	New edition of AFSA news April 6, 2010 - AFSA news is published two to three times per year. The spring 2010 issue is now available and includes articles on recent social service cuts. Subscribe to AFSA news Subscribers to AFSA news also receive occasional notices pertaining to the Family Serving community in this region. The Community Council takes your privacy seriously. Your email address will be used exclusively for the purpose for which you gave it and you may request that your email be removed from our lists at any time.
	Podcast: How to Care In Tough Times December 14, 2009 - Listen to a recording of AFSA's November event on the impacts of current funding uncertainty on Family Serving Agencies. With special guest speaker Dr. Michael J. Prince, PhD (Exeter).
	Household Debt Rises in Canada February 13, 2009 - Read the Times Colonist's coverage of the AFSA's February 12, 2009 event, Running Just to Catch Up: Family Finances and Work-Family Balance.
	AFSA news e-newsletter AFSA news is published two to three times per year. It is a resource for all family serving agencies to share information and find out about events and relevant discussions related to their community. Subscribe to AFSA news Subscribers to AFSA news also receive occasional notices pertaining to the Family Serving community in this region. The Community Council takes your privacy seriously. Your email address will be used exclusively for the purpose for which you gave it and you may request that your email be removed from our lists at any time.
	AFSA Annual Report (2007-08) Read about the achievements of AFSA over the past year.
	AFSA Membership To become a member of the Association of Familiy Serving Agencies (separate from membership in the Community Council), download the membership form. Members are entitled to a reduced rate at AFSA events, special advertising rates in Island Parent Magazine, and help support the work of the association. Annual membership in AFSA is $50.