The Family Co-Counselling Program

by Dan Kemlo - M.A. Psychology, Family Counsellor

The Family Co-counselling program was designed to reach families who may have barriers that prevent them from accessing mainstream agencies.

This is a partnership between eleven bilingual counsellors, representing ten communities and a family counsellor who was hired in May 1998. The bilingual counsellors have extensive experience and a critical awareness of the requirements and the unique strengths of their respective communities. The family counsellor has worked extensively in community based settings providing family counselling services.

The focus of training has been to further develop a perspective that acknowledges the strengths, resiliency and resourcefulness, often hidden or discouraged, in individuals and families within our communities. As individuals and families become increasingly discouraged by the many stresses and complications of settlement survival, this alternative perspective to the frequently dominant story of oppression and despair can become a catalyst for change that is real and lasting.

Counselling is provided with both the family counsellor and the representative bilingual counsellor present, solely with the bilingual counsellor (with the family counsellor available for consultation) or solely with the family counsellor (with the bilingual counsellor available for consultation).

This program works in partnership with other agencies such as the Ministry for Children and Families, Mental Health, Health Units, Education and Family Services of Greater Vancouver.

The Vancouver/Richmond Health Board has provided the funding for this program, as well as additional funds for a Participatory Evaluation. This process will directly involve communities with whom we are providing support services. This evaluation process has been a wonderful opportunity in guiding us to provide a service that is relevant to the diverse needs of our respective communities and possibly be a model that other communities may find helpful. We would like to thank the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board for continued funding for 1999-2000. If you would like further information on this program contact Dan Kemlo at 254-9626.

Email Contact: familyprograms@mosaicbc.com