Services
FSIO seeks to advocate and act as a "voice" for those who work with families and children in a variety of family support settings to actively inform and influence policy developments and discussions at all levels of government.
Our Values
Equity: Acknowledges unique situations, meets people where they are, and addresses systemic barriers to enable participation for all.
Community Responsiveness: Reaches out, listens, and responds to local and provincial needs.
Civic Engagement: Provides opportunities for training and resources for professionals, families, and communities to take action on issues that impact their lives.
Growth: Raises the profile and builds capacity within the sector through professional learning, mutual support, and partnership opportunities.
Collaboration: Works together with all partners to support families.
Strength-Based Approach: Builds on and maximizes individual and community strengths.
FSIO is a small non-profit organization, governed by an active Board of professionals who have knowledge and expertise about both the needs of young families and the professionals that work with them. FSIO acts as a resource, is a conduit for the dissemination of current information, and provides professional learning opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and newsletters. Equally important, FSIO seeks to advocate for family support programs and professionals and to actively inform and influence policy developments and discussions at all levels of government.
FSIO is one of the only organizations that is dedicated to all aspects of supporting and improving the provision of high-quality, effective family support programs in Ontario. Through membership in FSIO, you will be connected to a provincial network of professionals working in similar programs across the province. As a member, you will have easy online access to information and resources that will benefit you and your programs. As well, you will be able to participate in research and policy discussions and be able to benefit from current developments as shared in online discussions, webinars, conferences, consultations, and our newsletter.
Since its inception, FSIO has sought to ensure that the interests of family support services are considered when the government introduces new policies and directions. In the past, FSIO Board members have participated in consultations and advised the government on matters related to the transformation of early years support for families. In addition to representing your interests, FSIO provides information and opportunities so that you can present your feedback, questions, and concerns directly to the Ministry of Education, wherever you are in Ontario.
- On your behalf, FSIO has delivered detailed recommendations to the Province in response to key policy documents.
- FSIO Board representatives have met directly with provincial staff, including Directors and Assistant Deputy Ministers to put forward your feedback and concerns.
- FSIO keeps you up-to-date on developments in the sector and hosts events at which staff who work directly with families and managers consult with the Ministry of Education.
- FSIO has a unique and singular interest in all aspects of family support programs and is one of the only groups that represents your interests.
FSIO has a long-standing commitment to increasing professional recognition for everyone working in the family support sector while maintaining the organic and community-based essence of the profession. FSIO has developed and delivered workshops, courses, conferences, and modules that bridge family support services, theory, and practice to raise both the actual and perceived level of professionalism in the field. FSIO is delivering new learning material across the province in formats suitable for staff who work directly with familes while reducing geographic barriers to participation in professional learning opportunities. All the while, FSIO supports your professional learning through:
- The Essentials of Family Support professional learning workshops.
- The FSIO website, a single portal to all matters related to the sector.
- E-mails and newsletters that keep you informed and up-to-date.
- Assistance with establishing local Communities of Practice.
- An online community for those working in the sector.
- Learning tailored to local needs, on such matters as engaging parents, building community capacity, and working collectively.
FSIO can assist you with your professional learning goals! Become a member to enjoy all of the professional learning that FSIO offers!
FSIO is a central source for resources on a diverse range of topics to support your practice and professional learning. Family support programs are multipurpose—staff use a strengths-based approach to enhance parents’ and caregivers’ resilience and competence, promote children’s well-being, and otherwise connect families to resources and their community. Accordingly, family support professionals need to know about the diverse families they are working with, as well as the latest research, emerging practices, and policy developments affecting community services. Staff have diverse educational backgrounds and extensive experience, and they engage in reflection to improve their practice. Yet, there is often limited time and funding for staff to find documents, videos, websites, or other tools that are available to support their practice. This is why FSIO makes it easier for you to access an array of resources through the FSIO website, emails, and newsletters.
FSIO produces and shares resources, including:
- Tools and ideas for program planning
- Journal articles
- Position statements in response to new government policies
- Applications of new pedagogy
- Modules, toolkits, and guides for working with diverse families, including LGBTQ2S and Indigenous families and families experiencing disability
- Advocacy supports
- Adult learning approaches
FSIO members:
- Form relationships with other professionals (e.g., during attendance at FSIO events attended by individuals from across the province)
- Share experiences and ideas, network, and collaborate through FSIO’s online community
- Develop a greater awareness of what is happening across family supports in Ontario through FSIO’s communications
- Are connected to sectoral leaders
FAQs
FSIO is a small, non-profit organization governed by an active Board of professionals who have knowledge and expertise about both the needs of young families and the professionals that work with them. FSIO acts as a resource and a conduit for the dissemination of current information, in addition to providing professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and a quarterly newsletter. Equally important, FSIO seeks to advocate for family support services and to actively inform and influence policy developments and discussions at all levels of government.
FSIO is one of the only organizations that is dedicated to all aspects of supporting and improving the provision of high-quality effective family support programs in Ontario. With a membership in FSIO, you will be connected to a provincial network of professionals working in similar programs across the province. You will have easy online access to information and resources that will benefit you and your programs. As well, you will be able to participate in professional development, research, and policy discussions and benefit from current developments as shared in online discussions, webinars, events, and the FSIO e-newsletter, Policy, Research, Practice, and more.
FSIO provides you with a unique connection to others in the field that are experiencing sectoral change. Our Board is comprised of members who are working in the field of family support and experiencing the same situation as you. We can advise you and connect you to resources and most importantly, to each other as changes occur. In addition, we continue to advocate for you at Provincial and Municipal levels of government to ensure that the staff are treated fairly and that your needs are considered as changes occur. FSIO also organizes events at which you can provide feedback directly to government representatives.
It is easy to become a member or to renew your membership. You can become a member online, or complete the membership form (.pdf) and send your payment online through Paypal or by cheque. It is also possible to pay via e-transfer, please contact us for details.
Individual friends/supporters pays $80/year, organizations/agencies pay $100/year, and students/unwaged individuals pay $25/year.
Want to be involved without becoming a member? Join FSIO’s mailing list, volunteer on a committee, or donate to FSIO.
The term “family support program” describes both an innovative model and an approach to service delivery that focuses on supporting the complex needs of families with young children in a number of ways. Such programs empower families to enable children’s healthy growth and development by enhancing strengths and capacities in individuals, families, and communities. Family support programs provide welcoming, community-based opportunities for families to voluntarily come together and exchange support. Family support programs are driven by the community and flexibly respond to a range of unique family needs. Professionals partner with families and collaborate with local organizations. Programs reduce social isolation, support healthy child development and family well-being, and facilitate capacity-building and community development. Programs are typically offered at no cost to participants and may include: drop-in programs for children and their caregiver, parenting workshops, referrals to other services, and lending libraries. With the onset of the global pandemic, COVID-19 programs are now offering virtual programming to support families and children.
Related links:
Guiding Principles of Family Support by Families Canada
Hear what families tell us about family support programs in a video by Families Canada.
In 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Education provided clear business guidelines that directed CMSMs and DSSABs to manage the local delivery of core services in EarlyON Child and Family Centres. The core services include:
- Engaging parents and caregivers
- Supporting early learning and development, and
- Making connections for families.
Canada Action Programs for Children (CAP-C) and Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) is also another example of family support programs that work to support families living in communities in Ontario as well as across Canada.
Families and caregivers are welcomed to attend these locally-based programs where they are able to access and receive the type, level, and frequency of service needed at no or low cost. Through participation in these programs, staff aim to strengthen parents’ competence, confidence, and well-being and support the health and wellbeing of young children.
While the Province established the policy framework and service expectations for family support programs known as EarlyON Child and Family Centres, the service system management role has been devolved to the 47 municipalities in Ontario. These municipalities are referred to as Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) or District Social Service Administration Boards (DSSABs). CMSMs and DSSABs work with local service providers to ensure, access, equity, and quality in local communities.
Canada Action Programs for Children and Canada Prenatal Nutrition Programs fall under the auspices of the Public Health Agency of Canada who provide guidelines and service expectations for programs.
Family Support Programs in Ontario are funded in many different ways. Some are funded by the Province i.e., EarlyON CFCs, some by municipalities, United Way, faith groups, or foundations. Canada Action Programs for Children (CAP-C) are funded by the federal government under the Public Health Agency of Canada. Almost all programs struggle financially, and most engage in local fundraising activities to make up for funding shortfalls or expand their service delivery based on family and community need.
The Government of Ontario requires the EarlyON Child and Family Centres have a minimum of one Registered Early Childhood Educator to operate every program offered to families and children. If programs operate outside the scope of EarlyON CFCs, there is no mandated requirement at this time. FSIO advocates for an interdisciplinary team including the required RECE but also staff with other qualifications/skills that meet the needs of their families and children participating in their program.
FSIO provides training for individuals working in family support programs and offers a certificate program entitled the Essentials in Family Supports. Over the past decade or so, various academic and other institutions have developed training approaches for family support professionals. These include but are not limited to Families Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Mothercraft. Family support professionals typically come from a number of professions, including, education, early childhood education, social work and community development. In some cases, staff are community members or past program participants.