Supporting Healthy Transitions Program

  • The purpose and mandate of the Supporting Healthy Transitions program is to reduce the emotional impact on children, birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster parents when there is a plan for a child to move from one family to another.  
  • The goals are to prevent the traumatic breaks in attachment when children lose all contact with a primary attachment figure; reduce the cumulative losses for children during the transition by creating a relationship between the foster, birth or adoptive parents before the move happens; and to help the families develop a comprehensive and collaborative plan for the child’s move to reduce the stress/trauma to the child and the supporting adults.
  • This project was originally funded by a grant from the Victoria Foundation and guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of Mangers and Clinical Directors from both government as well as community agencies.  Temporary funding continues through by the Ministry of Children & Family Development.

Access to program

Anyone can request this voluntary service, however there must be an open family services file with MCFD.

Referral Requirements

A. Birth Family (of children in care)
  • Completion, if needed, of a substance abuse program
  • Ideally, having counselling during period of apprehension
  • On-going specialized supports, if needed
  • Children 8 years and younger
  • Children to be returning home in a duration of no less than three months and no longer than 6 months
  • Absence of any untreated mental health issues
B. Foster Parents
  • Experience in fostering, ideally having their own children
  • Belief in the importance of the biological family
  • Belief in the importance of the adoptive family
  • A desire to stay connected to the foster child
  • Strong parenting skills, ideally with both foster parents involved
C. Adoptive Parents
  • Belief in the importance of continued contact
  • A desire for their adoptive child to stay connected to the foster home.
Fees for services

There are no fees charged for this program

Contact Us

Program Contact:
Aileen Hale, M.A., Family Therapist: 778-885-9035

Main office: 604-266-3141

Funding provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development