Osanis Inclusion Services Inc.

Mindful Parenting
2025-11-04 09:30 - 2025-12-16 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | Men’s Therapy Center, 301-3491 Saanich Rd., Victoria, BC, V8X 1W8, Canada
Learn to embrace the beautiful chaos of single parenthood with presence and self-compassion, nurturing both your child’s well-being and your own.

Children in Care - A Group for Parents and Caregivers
2025-11-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
A support group for those with kids in care, considering care, or feeling pressured to place their kids in care.
Only families who have experienced this unique journey truly understand the challenges it brings. Whether due to removal, a special needs agreement, or a voluntary care agreement, placing a child with extra support needs into the Ministry’s care is an incredibly difficult and emotional decision. Families often face feelings of guilt, judgment, and isolation during this process. You’re not alone. Join us for an open and heartfelt conversation with other families who share your experience. This is a space for parents and caregivers to connect, share, and support one another without fear of judgment.
Let’s come together to find hope, resilience, and connection.
** PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is reserved for families with a member with a disability and self advocates only ** 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 grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

Early Years and School Age Navigation
2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Caring for little ones with extra support needs is marked by joy, fear, and overwhelm, usually all in the same day! Navigating the toddler and preschool years or if the school years are on the horizon, can be a uniquely challenging time. Join Cari Rawling, (ECE/parent), and Heather Beach (parent), for supportive sessions on Navigating the Early Years. We are here to listen, provide resources, and create a safe place to discuss the parenting experience of young children with diverse abilities.
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 grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY
REGISTER HERE

Aging Caregivers
2025-11-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-19 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
We cannot slow the aging process in ourselves or in the people we care for! As we get older, our ability to care for our family member becomes more and more difficult. Planning our own future, and the future of our loved ones can be a terrifying process. Will we be able to provide the necessary care? Will they be well cared for in the future, after we are gone? What can we do to make the future easier? Connecting with other families in similar situations is the best way to problem solve and figure out what will work best for our specific situations. Join our call with other “mature” parents and caregivers and we can problem solve together!

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 grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

Substance Use and the Power of Support
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-11-18 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Connection and relationship can make a difference in substance use and addiction. Guy Felicella, a renowned advocate and international speaker who has overcome a two-decade substance use disorder, passionately promotes harm reduction, trauma therapy, and faster access to treatment using his story of resilience and recovery. Learn how we can show care not just for our kids, but for the broader community impacted by substance use disorder.
Join us and other families for this video presentation and discussion that’s facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.
12:00pm-1:30 pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
1:00pm-2:30 pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you .
REGISTER HERE

Empowering Families through Knowledge and Connection
2025-11-07 - 2025-11-08 | Sportsplex, 1800 S Alder St., Campbell River, BC, V9W 7J1, Canada
Families from the Campbell River area will gather for two days of learning and connecting. You will learn ways to strengthen your advocacy and access resources to help build a good life for your loved one with a disability. You will join other families in sharing knowledge and developing community support. Sessions will cover topics such as self-determination, advocacy, and future planning – session details will be released in the summer

Cost: FREE – Financial support is available for travel, child care or other expenses (see details and application after the program description)
When: November 7 & 8, 2025
Where: Sportsplex – 1800 S Alder St, Campbell River, BC V9W 7J1
Who: Families and caregivers living in and near Campbell River who support loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Register Here

Armstrong/Online: Attend this professional opportunity on grief and loss
2025-11-10 09:30 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Sage Cottage, Armstrong BC, 9931 Cathedral Drive, Vernon, BC, V1B 3Y9, Canada
This is a one-day workshop for professionals who work with children, youth and families. The workshop offers practical tools, insights, and approaches on supporting young clients navigating experiences of grief and loss. Attend in-person in Armstrong, BC in November, or virtually in December.
Location:
Sage Cottage | Armstrong, BC
Monday, November 10, 2025, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Virtual workshop:
Monday, December 8, 2025, from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Mother's Mental Health Toolkit
2025-11-12 10:00 - 2025-12-17 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Quadra Village Community Centre, 901 Kings Rd, Victoria, BC, Canada
Mother’s Mental Health Toolkit group will begin on Wednesday Nov.12th and run until Dec 17th from 10am-12pm. Lunch will be served 12-1pm. If you would like to attend this group, contact Sue at families@quadravillagecc.com ASAP as there is great interest in this group and only 12 spaces. Please note that you must be available to attend ALL 6 sessions.
MORE INFO HERE

Understanding ADHD for Adults
2025-11-13 17:30 - 2025-11-27 18:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
ADHD impacts all areas of life, and understanding is a pivotal starting point for moving forward.
This program is designed for those who are newly diagnosed and are embarking on a personal journey of self-discovery.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is not a webinar and requires your active participation to fully benefit from it. Sessions will not be recorded to protect your privacy.
Join us to unravel the complexities of Adult ADHD in an interactive, supportive, and collaborative environment.
After this program you should be able to:

Understand the wide range of Adult ADHD symptoms.
Become aware of how ADHD can impact various aspects of life.
Take proactive steps to explore non-medication approaches to managing ADHD.
Identify how ADHD medications work and how they can improve daily functioning.
Access resources that can bring positive changes to lives of people with ADHD

Facilitated by Dr. Gurdeep Parhar (MD) and Dr. Anita Parhar (PhD), this program draws from their extensive knowledge gained through years of dedicated work at the Adult ADHD Centre. Dr. Gurdeep Parhar and Dr. Anita Parhar bring a wealth of clinical and practical insights through the cumulative experience of over 15,000 patient experiences, which is the foundation of this program.
Begins Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 3 weeks
Dates: November 13, 20 & 27, 2025
Time: 5:30pm PST/ 6:30pm MST/ 8:30pm – 10pm EST/ 9:30pm AST
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. As of November 11th, the registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.
Facilitators: Dr. Gurdeep Parhar & Dr. Anita Parhar
Fee: $30 + HST

Please note that this program will be offered in January, March, September and November every year. This program is a good intro to ADHD prior to taking our Adult ADHD Group Coaching programs.
Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. Once the program begins, registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Now What? A beginning conversation to support families when our kids begin experimenting with substances
2025-11-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Learning that our kids are using substances can be scary. Our fears about substance use can affect how we react. Learn with us while Victoria Keddis hosts a conversation with Douglas Hardie, Registered Clinical Counsellor and Program Coordinator of Island Health’s Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and Substance Use Programs. This is a beginning conversation to help parents self-reflect on how they show up to talk to their kids about their substance use.
Join us and other families for this video presentation and discussion that’s facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.
6:30pm-8:00pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
7:30pm-9:00pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you.
REGISTER HERE

Healthy Boundaries
2025-11-13 18:30 - 2025-12-18 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Men’s Therapy Center, 301-3491 Saanich Rd., Victoria, BC, V8X 1W8, Canada
Learn to foster mutual respect and strengthen your family dynamic by setting effective boundaries in a single-parent household.

Welcoming City Community Conversation: Community Leadership & Belonging
2025-11-15 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Fernwood Community Centre, 1240 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, BC, V8T 1G6, Canada
Overview

Who leads? Who belongs? How do we open doors for more voices? How can we make civic spaces more accessible?

Who leads? Who belongs? How do we open doors for more voices? How can we make civic spaces more accessible?
Hosted by the City of Victoria’s Welcoming City Advisory Committee in partnership with the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN), this Welcoming City Community Conversation explores what leadership and belonging means in community spaces. This conversation builds upon the Welcoming City Standards and Strategy.
The evening will open with guest speaker Lindsay Katsitsakatste Delaronde, the first Indigenous Artist in Residence for the City of Victoria (2017–2019). Her work centers on Indigenous theatre, collaborative practice, cultural resurgence, and social and political activism through the arts.
A facilitated group discussion will follow, inviting community members to share experiences and ideas for shaping more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible civic spaces.
Light refreshments provided by Stir It Up (Caribbean food).
For accessibility accommodations, please email: zara@creansociety.org

DECLUTTER YOUR LIFE Group Coaching
2025-11-16 13:00 - 2025-11-30 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Event
The decluttering coaching group meets weekly for 2.5 hours of learning but mostly doing the work under the supervision of an experienced Professional Organizer and ADHD Coach.

Learn to declutter in an ADHD friendly way
Foster a growth mindset while having fun with a community that gets it.
Get your hands dirty decluttering while on the call.
Offered year-round.
Join anytime!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Issues of Substance Conference
2025-11-17 - 2025-11-19 | Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS, B3J 0E6, Canada
CCSA’s Issues of Substance is the flagship event of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), an organization that addresses issues related to substance use and addiction that affect the health and safety of Canadians.
The biennial event is Canada’s only national conference that brings together addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, knowledge brokers, and people with direct or indirect, lived or living experience with substance use or a substance use disorders from across the country.
CCSA’s Issues of Substance is unique because this three-day event provides an unparalleled opportunity to share new research and best practices, network with peers, and receive practical training related to substance use and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery.

How to Register
Register for our Issues of Substance 2025 conference through the CCSA registration portal, beginning Tuesday, April 8.
Registration Fees
All registrants (including students) are entitled to:

Attend all sessions, and
Three full breakfasts, three lunches and break refreshments.

Early-Bird Registration Fee
Pay only $1,150 if you register online by Friday, September 19 at 11:59 p.m. EDT!
Regular Registration Fee
Pay $1,295 between Saturday, September 20 and Thursday, November 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
You can also complete and pay for your registration in-person, at the regular rate, beginning Sunday, November 16 (if spaces are still available).
Student Registration Fee
Student registration fee: $595
To register at the student rate, provide proof of your full-time enrolment as an undergraduate, master’s or doctoral student at a Canadian higher education institution in a program related to substance use health, addiction or behavioural addictions. Please upload a photo of your student card displaying the current year at the time of registration.
Registration for Conference Presenters
Presenters must complete and pay for their registration by Wednesday, May 28, to secure their spot in the program.
Questions
If you have questions about registering for CCSA’s Issues of Substance, please contact CCSA Event Planner, Andrea Wagner at AWagner@ccsa.ca. Thank you!

Let's Talk: How Babies Learn Language
2025-11-19 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
This workshop provides: valuable insights into infant language learning. Parents and caregivers can learn practical, evidence-based techniques to foster your child’s language skills during these pivotal early years. Recommended for caregivers of children aged 0-2.
REGISTER HERE

ADHD X Autism: “The Similarities and Differences” - Free webinar
2025-11-19 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Join Adult Autism Centre & Adult ADHD Centre for a free, live webinar—ADHD X Autism: “The Similarities and Differences”—on Wednesday, November 19, 2025!
Gain insights from Dr. Anita Parhar and Dr. Gurdeep Parhar as they explore the connections, similarities, and distinctions between ADHD and autism.

Mental Health First Aid Essentials Training
2025-11-20 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Harbour Room, 722 Cormorant Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1P8, Canada
Join us for a transformative full-day workshop designed to equip you with the essential skills and confidence to support mental health in yourself and others. The MHFA Essentials course offers practical knowledge to help you recognize, respond, and intervene in mental health challenges, from everyday signs of stress to crisis situations.
This course, delivered over 7 hours with breaks, is perfect for individuals wanting to learn how to support those experiencing mental health struggles, while also enhancing their own mental well-being. Whether you’re a workplace leader, community volunteer, or just someone passionate about mental health advocacy, this course will deepen your understanding of mental health, reduce stigma, and build a strong foundation in supportive communication.
Throughout the course, participants will learn how to:

Recognize mental health changes: Understand the differences between mental health, mental illness, and mental health conditions. Learn to spot signs of declining mental health across its continuum.
Respond to mental health crises: Master the ALGES framework to apply empathy, reassurance, and appropriate responses in real-world scenarios, including crisis situations like suicidal thoughts.
Support others with respect: Practice effective communication techniques that challenge mental health stigma and emphasize recovery-oriented support.
Self-care strategies: Discover essential self-care practices to maintain your own mental health while helping others.

By the end of the course, you’ll be empowered to provide mental health support to those in need and take proactive steps to care for your own mental health.
Important Note: A minimum of 8 participants is required for the training to proceed. If fewer than 8 participants are confirmed 48 hours prior to the session, the course will be rescheduled in accordance with MHCC’s group size policy.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be submitted via email (training@csshsa.ca) at least 5 business days before the scheduled course to receive a refund or reschedule.
Late cancellations or no-shows are not eligible for refunds or rescheduling.

The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada's 4th National Virtual Conference
2025-11-22 | Virtual Event
An empowering day of learning, collaboration, and advocacy for parents, educators, professionals, and caregivers supporting individuals with learning disabilities (LD).
This year’s theme — The Power of Partnership — reflects LDAC’s mission to promote the full participation of children, youth, and adults with learning disabilities in school, work, and life. Whether you’re a caregiver navigating your child’s diagnosis, a teacher looking for proven tools, or a professional working to support inclusion, this conference delivers practical knowledge, actionable strategies, and powerful connections.
Your participation directly supports LDAC’s national advocacy, research, and programming — supporting the 5.6% of Canadians living with learning disabilities — and the educators, professionals, and families who stand beside them.

Early Bird Registration – $50 + $5.75 HST (ends Nov. 4, 2025)
General Admission – $75 + $8.63 HST

Link to Register

Community ASIST Workshop individual registration
2025-11-24 09:00 - 2025-11-25 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Need2 Office, 2390 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 1V7, Canada
ASIST is a two-day workshop that provides suicide first aid training to participants. This training provides participants with the competencies needed to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.
You do not need to work in the health or mental health field to take ASIST. We need people in all roles in the community to be ASIST trained to create a suicide-safer community!
The cost of the workshop is $325. Student rate is available upon request.

The workshop will take place at the NEED2 office.
Lunch, coffee/tea and snacks will be provided

To register visit our website here
Questions; email communityeducation@need2.ca

Members Club: Early Childhood Development and Resilience
2025-11-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Event
When and What Time?
November 25th, 2025 || Virtual (Zoom)
English: 12:00 – 1:00pm ET
Price?
Free and exclusive to members
Get your member discount code HERE
Resource
Training Portal: Early Childhood Development and Resilience
Why Attend?
Members Club is a quarterly online gathering of members designed to provide family support workers with a dedicated space to connect, share, and grow together. This club is an opportunity for Families Canada members to engage in activities and events, focused on fostering open conversation and encouraging members to build their networks and enhance family support services.
Session Overview
Who: Moderated by early childhood development expert and former executive director of Abilio Centre, Isabelle Vinet.
What: We’ll be discussing: Early Childhood Development and Resilience (Watch here before Members Club)
Resilience is not genetic but built over time through connection and supportive environments fostered by caregivers and/or family support professionals. In this e-module and discussion session, learn what resilience is, what it means in the early years, why it matters, and how you can help.
Where: Register and receive the virtual Meeting Link
When: November 25th, 2025 || 12-1pm ET
Fee: FREE for Families Canada members. Get the member discount code from your member portal here or sign up for membership here
What you need to do

Get your member discount code Here
Watch the E-Module Here (We recommend watching before the event)
Register for the Event Here
No training portal account yet, create your account Here
Not yet a member, sign up for membership Here

Who Can Benefit from This Session?
If you have direct interactions with families and children as part of your work, then this session is for you! Your job title might be:

Family support practitioners
Perinatal support worker
Early years worker
Resource mother
Home visitor
Social worker
Nurse, pediatrician, family doctor, or health care worker

Discussion Moderator

Isabelle Vinet
Psychoeducator
Isabelle Vinet holds a master’s degree in Psychoeducation from the Université de Montréal. Over the past 20 years, she has focused her professional activities on translating scientific knowledge on early childhood development into action.
She served as the executive director of Abilio-Childhood Knowledge Dissemination Centre an organization whose mission is to promote proven practices aimed at fostering the well-being of children from an early age. Abilio prevention programs have all undergone a rigorous evaluation process that has been in place for over 30 years in Quebec.
Abilio also encompasses the dissemination activities of the Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development (www.enfant-encyclopedie.com), a unique virtual resource with international reach that compiles the world’s best knowledge on early childhood development.
Register Here

Disability Tax Credit for Mental Health Conditions
2025-11-25 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Join our FREE webinar on Disability Tax Credit (DTC) for Mental Health Conditions, hosted by Dr. Gurdeep Parhar!
Discover how to apply for the DTC, learn about eligible mental health conditions, and get important updates on the Canada Disability Benefits Program.
Reserve your spot for November 25, 2025, at 4pm PST / 6pm CST / 7pm EST.

REGISTER HERE

Fed Skills Workshop
2025-11-25 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Join us for a Fed Skills Workshop!
Interested in expanding or developing your skills?
Join a Fed Skills workshop to connect with other youth from care and learn about subjects like: Peer Support; Justice, Equity Diversity & Inclusion; Leadership, and much more!
Participants will receive a certificate of completion for each workshop which can be used for job or school applications or go towards SAJE life skills hrs.

NEXT Fed Skills Workshop
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Who can attend:
Youth in and from care in BC between the ages of 14-28
When:
Tues Nov 25, 6-7PM
Where:
Virtual – Teams
After completing this training you should:
Understand the concepts: justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
Understand systems of power and privilege
Gain greater understanding of personal bias
Know what intersectionality means
Know what strategies to support justice, equity, diversity and inclusion

Wills & Estate Planning
2025-11-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Becoming well-informed about wills, trusts and estate planning is necessary to secure the financial future of your loved one with a disability. In this workshop, Geoffrey White will explain how to arrange your estate, prepare a will, and the various ins and outs of setting up a trust specifically for your relative or loved-one with a disability.
REGISTER HERE

Lunchtime Education Kernel: Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities: Presented by PAC Outreach Program (POP)
2025-11-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
We would like to invite you to participate in an upcoming educational session hosted by the PAC Outreach Program. This session will focus on mental health and developmental disabilities, specifically designed for professionals and individuals who provide support to adults with intellectual disabilities. Your involvement in this important discussion would be greatly valued.
Date: November 26, 2025
Time: 12 pm to 1 pm
Format: Virtual via MS Teams
To register, please use this link: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Becoming a More Emotionally Mature Parent
2025-11-26 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
This workshop explores: ways to improve emotional maturity, supporting ourselves as parents and supporting our children in a way that allows them to grow and gives them the space to be their true selves.
REGISTER HERE
