BC Council for Families

Media Interviews

BC Council for Families staff members are available to speak to the media on topics of interest in the area of family supports and services, family life education, and numerous child, youth and family issues including: the importance of involved fathering, tween and teen transitions and resilience, worklife balance, the social determinants of health, child care and community development.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Marilee Peters, Acting Executive Director
marileep@bccf.ca | 604-678-8884

Fast Facts

What is the BC Council for Families?
At the BC Council for Families, understanding the needs of families and developing programs, services, and resources to address them is at the heart of our mission to strengthen families and family-serving professionals in BC.  For over 35 years we have been working to build a healthy society through prevention, promotion and early support for families.

We connect people through BC, and beyond, to quality information, resources, and research on topics that matter to families.  The Council produces engaging, refreshingly practical publications on subjects as diverse as couple relationships, intergenerational programs, father involvement, parenting and grandparenting.  We offer free online resources, research and information on current trends and issues affecting families through our website, our weekly enewsletter, and our quarterly magazine.

The Council is a  leader in the field of family life education.  Through our training programs, our professional development events, and our support networks, we encourage the lifelong learning that builds a strong professional workforce for family support in BC.  Our expertise provides family service professionals with the knowledge and skills that enhance their ability to support families and communities throughout BC.

Why is family support important?
At one time or another, all families need support.  We rely on networks of friends, extended families, support groups, health services, schools, counsellors ... the support networks that healthy families depend on.  When families receive the help and support they need, when they need it, costly and intrusive interventions to fix big problems further down the line can be avoided.  The parenting education and support programs of the BC Council for Families bring the power of prevention to work for the families of British Columbia.

But as family life is changing, some of these traditional sources of support and information are no longer there for all families.  In these situations, information in the form of a guide, a book, a video or an online resource can make the difference for parents coping with a parenting challenge or a child development issue.  Parents are the true experts on their own children.  WE provide information and resources that are designed to support parents and caregivers, helping them to buildon their strengths and develop their own approaches to fostering family relationships and promoting their children's growth and development.

When was the BC Council for Families established?
The BC Council for Families was established through an Order in Council in 1977.

Who funds the Council?
We deeply appreciate the funding support we receive through the BC Ministry for Children and Family Development, the United Way of the Lower Mainland, the Vancouver Foundation, and other private and public funders and donors.  For a full list of our current funders, please refer to our most recent annual report.