Role of the Vancouver Island Association of Family Councils (VIAFC)

VIAFC provides independent forums for family councils of long-term care homes within the Island Health region of British Columbia.   Most are held virtually and offer an opportunity for families to raise their voices in a safe environment where common issues, ideas and successes are discussed.  Our forums provide the following opportunities:

Networking:

Our independent forums provide networking opportunities for family councils of long-term homes in the Island Health region to share information and experiences and discuss potential solutions for addressing their common issues.

Support and Mentorship:

  • VIAFC provides support and mentorship to new and existing family councils.
  • We attend town halls and information sessions hosted by the long-term care home to inform families and staff about how to start a council, the benefits of a council and best practices for them to succeed.
  • VIAFC has developed the “VIAFC Tool to Increase Family Council Membership,”  which we are happy to share with every family council in the province.
  • We provide guidance to families and, sometimes, residents on which office to contact for assistance in resolving their issues and concerns.

Education Sessions

  • VIAFC offers education sessions on new initiatives and potential policy and legislative changes occurring in the long-term care sector.
  • Members also have the opportunity to hear from important guests such as the Seniors Advocate and others for their perspectives on various long-term care services and initiatives as well as learning about the work they are involved in.   
  • In order to better understand long-term care services, it is important to be knowledgeable about the policies and regulations and the roles and responsibilities that Island Health and their contracted service providers are accountable for in the provision of long-term care services. 
  • It is also incumbent upon all of us to thoroughly understand the roles and responsibilities of family councils, not only for ourselves but in order to guide others in the formation and maintenance of their own councils.

Advocacy

  • Advocacy begins at the long-term care home with each single family member and each family council whose representatives are encouraged to participate in our regional family council forums where common issues, ideas and successes are discussed.     
  • These collective systemic issues and recommendations are then discussed amongst the five regional associations who bring them forward to our provincial association of family councils (ILTCCABC) where we target actionable efforts. 
  • The ILTCCABC composes a report of the systemic (common) issues with potential solutions and recommendations and presents  the report to the Ministry of Health to help inform policy that will lead to improving the care and quality of life of all residents in long term care.
  • While VIAFC brings these issues and recommendations forward to our Provincial Association of Family Councils (ILTCCABC), we also encourage family council members, to join  Island Health’s Regional Resident and Family Council Network meetings, which provides them another opportunity to be heard.