Family Resource Programs

What's a Family Resource Program?

Family Resource Programs are parent/child interactive centres for families with children aged 0-6 years. The programs reflect the diversity of the community, and services are designed to strengthen parenting skills, provide stimulating environments for children and promote family and community engagement. Family Resource Programs engage with families through five core areas of service: family support, play-based learning, early learning and literacy, parent education and information/referrals. Services are geared to meet the individual needs of the family. All families are welcome.

For over 30 years, Family Resource Programs (FRPs) have brought parents and children together to strengthen parenting, promote social networking, reduce isolation, and promote community cohesion. They are grounded in the belief that consistent positive parenting practices and secure, healthy parent-child relationships are fundamental factors in all aspects of healthy child development.

Today parents, caregivers, and their children birth – 6 years attend over 200 FRPs in the province. They participate in culturally inclusive programs that address the needs of both adults and their children.

• A welcoming place for all families – openly accessible (free or low cost to attend) within their community, non-obtrusive and sensitive to community diversities.

• A place where parents and their children (aged 0-6) can interact with one another and other families within their community.  Family Resource Programs are unique from other early childhood development programs in that parent and child attend together. 

• These parent & child drop-in programs are neighbourhood hubs which promote social and community cohesion.  They help to strengthen parenting, promote social networking and reduce isolation.

• Families voluntarily choose to attend Family Resource Programs for social and support reasons.  They share the joys and challenges of raising children and other life experiences.

• Although activities and services may vary depending on the needs, circumstances and diversity of the families in the communities they serve, Family Resource Programs exhibit certain common themes and adopt programs within five core areas of supporting and strengthening families:
  1. Family support
  2. Play-based learning
  3. Early literacy, learning and care
  4. Parent education
  5. Information & referrals

View the 2005 FRP-BC Provincial Evaluation (PDF 282Kb)