Caring Families Society

09/01/2026

Unlike some other conditions, FASD is largely invisible. Most children and youth with FASD have no physical features to indicate the disability. Instead, their challenges often show up in how they learn and behave in everyday settings—especially in the classroom. Too often, these brain-based differences are mistaken for laziness, defiance, or poor parenting, when in fact they are the result of neurological injury.

For foster caregivers, it is important to remember that part of your role is to advocate for the children and youth in your care. Advocacy is about ensuring their needs are understood and supported, particularly in the education system where the right accommodations can make the difference between frustration and success.

Check out our FASD series to read more about FASD and the Education System in BC: A Foster Caregiver’s Guide:
https://caring-families.ca/blog/fasd-and-the-education-system-in-bc-a-foster-caregivers-guide/

Register for September 9th workshop: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/sthwboiwf/

08/31/2026

The first International FASD Awareness Day was held on September 9, 1999, at 9:09 a.m. in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. A small group of parents and community members wanted to raise awareness about the risks of drinking during the nine months of pregnancy. The symbolism of nines—the 9th day of the 9th month at the 9th hour—reminds us of the importance of nine months of alcohol-free pregnancy.

The idea spread, and now FASD Awareness Day is recognized around the world each year.

Check out our FASD series to read more about Why Talking About Drinking During Pregnancy Matters:
https://caring-families.ca/blog/fasd-awareness-day-why-talking-about-drinking-during-pregnancy-matters/

Register for September 9th workshop: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/sthwboiwf/

08/30/2026

Recognizing FASD as a whole-body condition helps caregivers see the full picture of a child’s needs—beyond learning or behaviour. Prenatal alcohol exposure can leave lasting effects on sleep, digestion, immunity, pain response, adaptive skills, and emotional health.

By understanding this whole-body impact, caregivers can move from seeing children as “difficult” to recognizing them as individuals with unique needs shaped long before birth. When you understand the why, you can better support the how—helping children with FASD thrive in ways that honour both their strengths and their challenges.

Check out our FASD series to read more:
https://caring-families.ca/blog/fasd-a-whole-body-condition-every-foster-caregiver-should-understand/

Register for September 9th workshop: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/sthwboiwf/

08/29/2026

The reality is that FASD affects every stage of development—from infancy through adulthood. For caregivers, a common question is: “What will this look like as my child grows older?” Understanding how FASD changes across the lifespan helps caregivers adjust expectations, provide the right supports, and plan for the future.

The impacts of FASD are lifelong and evolve as individuals progress through different life stages.
👉️ Primary impacts do not diminish with age; they require ongoing support.
👉️ Early and appropriate interventions can positively influence long-term outcomes.
👉️ Understanding the lifelong nature of FASD is essential for caregivers and service providers.

Check out our FASD series to read more:
https://caring-families.ca/blog/fasd-across-the-lifespan-what-caregivers-need-to-know/

Register for September 9th workshop: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/sthwboiwf/

08/28/2026

B.C. foster care student earns $85K in scholarships!
The story of Madison-Lynn Perreault is highly inspiring! Share it with those that are graduating high school this year, and beyond.

Madison didn’t stop at just finding opportunities for herself, she focused her Grade 12 capstone project on helping youth in foster care find scholarships. In building a website, she located more than 70 scholarships and bursaries available to foster care youth.

We were unable to find the website mentioned.

You'll find some helpful resources here, including a list of bursaries, and our Education Guide: Opening Doors to Education for Children and Youth in Care: https://caring-families.ca/resources/post-secondary-tuition-resources/

08/27/2026

FASD Awareness Day is September 9th!
Canada FASD Research Network shares that the theme this year is Everyone Plays a Part: It Takes a Community, highlighting the power of collective support in creating a society where individuals with FASD and their families can thrive.

Individuals with FASD face challenges and barriers in accessing mental health services that provide whole-body diagnosis-focused support. Organizations such as CANFASD (2024) have argued that mental health is an essential consideration for people with FASD despite the challenges they face in accessing mental health services and support.

FASDPLAY™was founded considering the whole body needs of individuals with FASD across the lifespan. This evidence-based, person-centred trauma therapy modality incorporates research and clinical considerations from interpersonal neurobiology, somatics, neurodiversity-affirming care, disability-affirming care, child-centred play therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and traditional modalities.

Facilitated by: Natascha Lawrence (she/her), M.A., RCC-ACS, BCRPT-S

Join us as we learn and grow together on September 9th with a workshop about Supporting the Holistic Well-being of Individuals with FASD: https://learn.fpsss.com/training/sthwboiwf/

08/27/2026

Calling all Campbell River foster caregivers!
Lunch and Learns are starting up in September.

Thursday, September 11th, 11:30am to 1:00pm

This is your space for connecting with peers, building community, and sharing practical learnings for coping with the stresses of being a public parent. Bring your lunch or join us for the light refreshments supplied.

Watch your emails for updates about discussion topics.
Contact Lindsy or Judy for more information.

Check out the upper island calendar here: https://caring-families.ca/events/month/?tribe_eventcategory%5B0%5D=14

08/26/2026

Celebrating International Dog Day with the Caring Families Society dogs 🐾❤️

08/26/2026

FASD Awareness Day is September 9th and we invite you to join us for this important and impactful workshop to learn, grow, and build awarness.

Supporting the Holistic Well-being of Individuals with FASD is open for registration!
Wednesday, September 9th between 9:30am to 12:30pm
with Fatima Natascha Lawrence about her holistic approach to care.

Register here:
https://bit.ly/4x1eqDt

08/25/2026

Access to mandatory PRIDE training for caregivers has now closed. A new training program is anticipated in the coming days. Resource Social Workers are available for questions should they arrise.

Access to PRIDE Pre-Service, In-Service, and Kinship Training will end on August 25, 2026. MCFD is advising caregivers to complete all outstanding requirements by this date, as unfinished training progress will not transfer to the new system.

MCFD anticipates launching LINK (Learn, Include, Nurture, Know), its new caregiver training program, on September 8, 2026.

Learn more: https://bcfosterparents.ca/news/changes-to-caregiver-training-in-british-columbia/

If you have questions about your individual training requirements or progress, please contact your Resource Social Worker.