What is Caregiver & Family Engagement?

Family engagement is an active partnership between families and service providers. It can be an individual relationship between a clinician and a family, an organizational alliance between an agency and families in their community, or a systemic recognition of family-centered care. Regardless of the definition, when families are engaged, programs and services are stronger and young people are healthier.

There are three main categories of involvement for families:

Families as recipients of services

Programs are typically led by professionals and improve the ability to deal with behaviours through improved problem-solving and reduced stress.

Family-led supports/programs/Families as co-therapists

Families helping families such as family-driven support groups and mutual support programs are associated with reduced subjective burden and distress.

Engagement through the process of involvement

Factors that impact on family involvement in care (e.g., therapeutic alliance, empowerment, expectations of families and choice).

Family-centered care is based on the following principles:

Recognition that families are experts in the needs of their loved ones
Practices that promote equal partnerships among family members, service providers and the client
Supports the family’s role in decision making and contributions to ongoing care and planning for the client

Caregiver & Family Engagement at Compass

Compass is looking for Family Advisory Council (FAC) members!

What is the scope?
The Family council is a group of family members with lived experience in supporting a child or youth in or across the mental health system.

The goal of the advisory is to:

Collaborate on agency projects, initiatives and improvements
Identify relevant issues or initiatives that the Family council feel are important to address
Empower family representatives to inform and influence the Compass’ strategy and operational activities*

*The Family council is not a decision-making body but will provide strategic advice to guide the Compass’ work.

Who is on the Family council?
Family members. Family members are defined as a circle of care and support that offers enduring commitment to care for one another, and is made up of individuals related biologically, emotionally, culturally or legally. This includes those who the person receiving care identifies as significant to their well-being. Therefore, this council is not limited to parents.

Members will be selected from across Sudbury and Manitoulin who:

Have lived experience as a family member supporting a young person in accessing or trying to access the mental health system.
Are able to draw on their own personal experience and perspectives yet also see the big picture of the larger system around them (i.e., system thinker).
Are comfortable representing the voice of family members and be an ambassador of Compass alongside other representatives.

Time commitment

The Family council is a new initiative at Compass, therefore the first group of members will help guide what this will look like in terms of responsibilities and commitment. But to give you an example, it may look like:
Monthly Family council meetings (90 minutes)
Optional engagement in Compass activities that can range from a few hours to a few days, over a few weeks or several months, including summer months.

How are family members supported?
Family members will receive an honorarium in recognition of their time and contributions. Compass will make every effort to reduce barriers to participation for family members.

How do I get started?
Family members can express their interest in the Family council by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/9252k6a3tSrxnWS17 by February 2, 2025.

To get involved, contact:
Keltie Melanson, Engagement Specialist
Phone: 1-800-815-7126 ext. 2571
engagement@compassne.ca

Caregiver & Family Engagement