CONFERENCE IS NOW FULL

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Stand Together 2012
6th Annual Conference
 March 30-31, 2012

Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre

7311 Westminster Hwy

Richmond, BC

Multi-Faceted Training for:  MCFD & VACFSS Foster parents, Adoptive parents, MCFD and VACFSS Social Workers, Caregivers, and Community partners in the Vancouver/Coastal Region.

 Hosted by Hollyburn Family Services, BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, BC Federation of Foster Parents Associations, Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, the Adoptive Families Association of BC , Canadian Foster Family Association, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, and Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society. 
  

Friday March 30        FULL

REGISTRATION                                                                  8:00- 9:15am (coffee/muffins)

Welcoming Ceremony                                                       9:15-9:30am

Workshop A: Biology of Loss                                             9:30- 4:00pm

LUNCH   (On your own)                                                    12:30- 1:30pm

Saturday March 31      FULL

REGISTRATION                                                                   8:30-9:15am (coffee/muffins)

Workshop B:  The Sacredness of Life: A First Nations       9:30-3:30pm                 
                      Perspective (ALL DAY SESSION).  
OR

Workshop C:  Kids Who Lie: Sheri Rego (AM SESSION)      9:30-12:00pm 

and                                                            

Workshop D:  All in the Family: Helping Permanent         1:00 - 3:30pm      
Children Survive the stresses of Foster Parenting
- Sheri Rego. (PM SESSION)          

LUNCH BUFFET                                                                   12:00-1:00pm

Wellness Room*                                                                3:30-5:30pm
*for foster and adoptive parents.
Pre-registration required.
                                               

 Workshop A       (All Day)   FULL

"The Biology of Loss: What Happens When Attachments are Impaired"
by Dr. Gabor Mate, M.D.

This presentation, based on Dr. Gabor Mate's books, outlines the mental health implications of early childhood emotional loss, whether due to abuse in the family or simply of stress on the parents on the subsequent loss of attunement with the child. Also discussed will be the basis of healthy child development through the attachment relationship with parents, teachers and other adults; how the human brain develops in interaction with the social/psychological environment; and the impact of peer orientation.

On Dr. Mate: After working as a Grade 11 teacher, Gabor Mate returned to school to pursue a career as a doctor. Dr. Mate ran a family practice in East Vancouver for two decades and worked for twelve years in Vancouver's downtown eastside with patients suffering from drug addiction, mental illness and HIV. Dr. Mate has also written four Canadian bestsellers on topics including attention deficit, stress, attachment and addiction.

Workshop B       (All Day)   FULL

"Sacredness of Life: A First Nations Perspective"
by Beverly Bagnall, Certified Trauma Counsellor

Our ancestors knew the healing benefits of the swing. There is a belief that when the body is swung, fluids in the brain release a hormone that acts as a natural healing agent to the rest of the body. The power of our ceremonies and our healing techniques reconnect us with our traditional ways of nurturing our people back to health. 

On Beverly Bagnall: A Cree woman, Bev has always worked with and for her people and has worked in the human services field for over 25 years. With the help of her Moosum (grandfather), Bev dveloped and delivered cultural training for foster parents in Alberta and she is currently facilitating healing groups in Yellowknife for survivors of reidential schools and other trauma.

Workshop C       (AM)  FULL

"Kids Who Lie" - by Sheri Rego, BA, MA

In this training, lying is addressed on many levels. First, attitudes, values, beliefs and societal norms are examined and discussed. Next, caregivers are helped to understand the factors which motivate children to lie. Finally, suggestions are offered to assist caregivers in responding to children when this behaviour occurs, and how to prevents its recurrence in the future.

On Sheri Rego: With Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and a Master's degree in Education, Sheri has worked within the child welfare field for nearly 25 years as an investigative social worker, a program manager/consultant, and a trainer within the Resource Family Training Institute of Washington State.  

Workshop D       (PM)   FULL


"All in the Family: Helping Permanent Children Survive the Stresses of Foster Parenting" - by Sheri Rego, BA, MA

This interactive training workshop provides foster parents with relevant research on the effects of foster parenting on their permanent children, and offers suggestions on how to ease the impact and stress on these children.


Wellness Room* pre-registration required. For foster and adoptive parents.
Relax as you listen to the story telling from an Elder or sit back and sip your tea, as you unwind with a massage or manicure. 


Registration:

Free for foster parents, adoptive parents, MCFD and VACFSS social workers. 
$60.00 fee for all other professionals and community partners. 
Conference registration is for both days only. There is no discount for one day attendees.

Please bring your own lunch on Friday. Buffet lunch provided on Saturday.   

Accommodations:

We are pleased to confirm the following room rates for Stand Together VI participants. Please quote “ Hollyburn Family Services.” Please note that this special rates includes overnight parking. The single and double rate is $119.00 + tax.

Parking:

Parking rate for the day $12.00 (6am - 6pm) for attendees who are not staying overnight. Please note that the Stand Together Committee is not responsible for parking costs.

Cancellation Policy:

Full refund will be provided up to one week before the conference. There will be NO refund for cancellations after March 23, 2012. The Stand Together Committee is not responsible for cancelling room bookings. The registrant is responsible for cancelling accommodations in accordance with hotel cancellation policy. Cancellations must be made by phone, fax, email. or in person.

***Adults only please. No on-site childcare available***

For more info contact lrose@hollyburn.ca or gaye@fafp.ca 
or call us via the Foster Parent Support Line at 1-877-926-1185