Mission 
We strengthen relationships between children and families and between families and their communities.
Vision
All families reach their full potential.
Our Values
Dignity
We care about people. We meet families, youth, children, and other professionals where they’re at, and we treat all people with respect, compassion, and with open hearts.
Collaboration
We can’t do this work in isolation. We go out of our way to work with our colleagues, families, community members, and peers in the sector to ensure the people we serve have every opportunity to reach their potential.
Inclusivity
We believe that communities are stronger when everyone is welcome. We actively listen, we celebrate others’ successes, and we hold one another accountable.
Curiosity
We are progressive, flexible, and committed to continuous learning. In crises, we act swiftly to remove barriers and find solutions.
Annual Reports
Download our annual reports here.
Strategic priorities 2024-2026
Children, Youth, and Families
We will deepen our relationships with the people we work with and better understand their individual needs.
People-Centred Programs
We will provide the most effective and relevant programs and services as possible.
Truth & Reconciliation
We will identify and advocate for ways in which Westcoast can be more culturally aware, inclusive, and action-oriented specifically for current and future Indigenous families and staff.
Professional Development
We will foster and strengthen opportunities for well-being, growth, and inclusion for staff and offer professional development opportunities for early child care educators (ECEs).
Operational Efficiency
We will strengthen the operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and advocacy for the needs of our organization and the communities we serve.
Code of Ethics
Outlined here are your rights and responsibilities at Westcoast Family Centres:
Dignity
- You have the right to receive person-centered services and accept or refuse theseservices at any time.
- We will do our best to make sure that you work with the same Westcoast Worker duringyour time in our programs.
- You have the right to end the session or take a break if you feel you are no longer ableto participate.
- You agree for sessions to be conducted with a reasonable amount of privacy.
- You have the right to make a complaint, access advocacy, and to make suggestions about the service.
Inclusivity
- You will be treated with dignity and respect without discrimination to race, colour, religion, age, marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or national or ethnic origin.
- You will have access to adapted services if language or disability is a barrier to participation in services.
Collaboration
- Collaboratively, the Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD), Westcoast and you will discuss together when to end service. However, if you are not attending sessions regularly, and miss three in a row, your service with WFC will end.
- Your Westcoast Worker will provide you with strength-based feedback throughout your work together. Your Westcoast Worker will support discussions about the progress you’ve made.
- You will share information with your Westcoast Worker that is important to the work,openly and honestly.
- Your Westcoast Worker will show up to sessions and groups prepared to work and have completed any agreed upon tasks.
- Your Westcoast Worker will keep your Social Worker up to date regarding your goal work, any written updates will also be provided to you.
WFC protects the confidentiality of information about people engaged with our service. Westcoast requires your informed, written consent to release your personal information except in the following circumstances:
- In the instance of risk of child abuse or neglect, the Westcoast Worker is required by law to contact the Ministry of Child and Family Development.
- When a participant states they intend to hurt themselves or die by suicide, Westcoast Workers have the duty to involve necessary emergency services.
- When a participant states that they intend to hurt another person, or their actions or knowledge may potentially harm others – Westcoast Workers have a duty to notify the appropriate police authority.
- By law upon subpoena, search warrant, or other legal order, to testify in court at the discretion of a judge.
Participant file:
- Information regarding participant’s progress will be discussed with the supervisor. Collaboration with other professionals supporting a family within WFC, would happen on a need-to-know basis. Additionally, case consultations may happen within WFC team, with the purpose of further supporting the participant/family, and without providing identifying information.
- Participant case records may be reviewed for quality assurance purposes by the Performance and Quality Improvement Peer review team.
- Participant files are safely secured using physical, administrative and technical safeguards i.e. files are locked in filing cabinets; access is given to only authorized personnel and use of computer passwords, firewalls and other measures protect data from unauthorized access, loss or modification.
- MCFD has formal permission to access all details of service provision including all case notes and reports pertaining to your case work, except for self-referral.
As a participant, former participant or an authorized designate you have the right to make a complaint, access advocacy, and to make suggestions and inquiries about service. The following outlines the procedure to notify Westcoast of a specific concern, complaint, or grievance. This includes any experience of unjust, unethical, discriminatory, or illegal treatment. Filing a grievance will not adversely affect the services you receive.
How to File a Complaint / Grievance:
- Westcoast Worker: If you have a complaint or grievance, you can discuss it with your Westcoast Worker to reach a solution. If you do not feel satisfied with how your Westcoast Worker addressed your complaint or grievance, please complete a Client Complaint / Grievance Form. You can access a Complaint / Grievance form at any Westcoast office, by requesting the form from any Westcoast staff, by contacting us atquality@westcoastfamily.org or on our website at www.westcoastfamily.org
- Programs and Services Manager and/or Director: The Program and Service Manager/Director will receive the completed participant complaint/grievance form. They will assess the information, contact relevant parties, and create a plan to address the complaint/grievance. A response will be provided within 14 business days in most cases, however, if more time is needed, you will be notified with a new resolution date, which will be within 30 days.
- CEO: If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you may make a written appeal to Westcoast’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to further discuss the matter. The CEO will conduct a review of the matter and will respond to you in writing within 14 business days.
- Board of Directors: If you are unsatisfied with the conclusion, you may request a review from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will review the entire grievance process. A written decision will be issued within 30 days of the receipt of the request for review. The Board of Directors decision and recommendations will be final. You will receive a written copy of your grievance report and copies will be kept on your file and shared with the Westcoast Chief Executive Officer.
Accreditation
Westcoast Family Centres Society has achieved national accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA). Organizations pursue accreditation to demonstrate the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of Westcoast Family Centres programs, services, management, and administration. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. WFC is committed to ensuring our clients and community are governed by Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) processes. Westcoast Family Centres Society actively participates in meetings with community partners and government to evaluate service trends, client needs and seeks to bring in new services as needed and appropriate. We continue to support the agency through achieving and monitoring: Performance targets, Program Goals, Client Satisfaction, and Staff Training.
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.
To learn more about COA, please visit www.COAnet.org.
