The Family Assistance and Parent Support Program

Training and Support of Family Support Workers

Family Coordinators

An important component of the Family Assistance and Parent Support Program is that of the Family Coordinator.  Family Coordinators are people living within the family’s community, who express a strong concern for the preservation of the family-unit.  Family Coordinators may come from all walks of life, such as teachers, nurses, parents, retired parents, etc.

All Family Coordinators will be screened prior to acceptance and given training appropriate to their area of duties and responsibilities.  Details concerning duties and other pertinent information is located in the Guidelines and Procedures for the Family Coordinator manual.  All Family Coordinators will work in collaboration with family-care professionals, which could include psychologists, social workers, doctors, etc.

The necessary training for a Family Coordinator will include:

·         Pertinent information appropriate to family law, child-care, as well as Provincial and Federal laws and various community/governmental agencies.

·         Education with respect to the causes of family-conflict.

·         Training on procedures to address day-to-day family-conflict situations.

·         Information concerning family dynamics and dysfunction.

·         Information on child-developmental needs, abilities and what is "the best interests of the child."

·         Information on child welfare, prevention of family violence, medical, educational, and mental health resources for children and their families.

·         Use of applicable written materials (e.g. forms, checklists, reports, etc.), including supplemental material available from other sources.

·         Familiarization with any programs or services being offered by local community/police agencies.

Family Support Persons

Family Support Persons also play an important role in the Family Assistance and Parent Support Program although to a lesser degree than a Family Coordinator. 

Once family support persons have been chosen by the parties involved, they participate in a informal meeting where they will be provided with information intended to make them knowledgeable about family conflict, its causes and solutions and its affect on children and their families. The information they receive will help them to better understand the situation they are dealing with and to help them better help the party they are assisting.  They are also given information about how the Family Assistance and Parents Support Program is designed to provide assistance to the family and their own role within the program.

Sept 30, 2000

This page is reprinted from "The Family Assistance and Parent Support Program" manual published by Family Conflict Resolution Services. For the latest version of the program manual contact the authors