Child and Family Wellness

Check out details of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Social Services Project – Safe, Healthy, and Connected, Bringing our Citizens Home – in this short documentary: Safe, Healthy and Connected: Bringing Huu-ay-aht Children Home

Click here to learn more about the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Social Services Project

How can the Huu-ay-aht Child and Family Wellness team help?

The Child and Family Wellness team offers a number of services and supports such as:

Clinical counselling
Social and emotional support
Advocacy for Huu-ay-aht families involved in any child protection matters or potential child protection matters
Family group conferencing with traditional house groups, family, and house group supports
Developing culture plans for children and youth in care to ensure that they are connected to their families and their culture
Transitional support and planning
Intimate partner violence support
Pregnancy and post-natal support
Life skills supports (such as: budgeting, menu planning, grocery shopping, applications and forms)
Parenting support
Groups programs (such as: Managing Your Money, and Food Skills for Families)
Ceremonies (such as: Baby Welcoming)
Discretionary funding for emergency supports
Support and guidance in accessing addictions counselling or detox and treatment services
Connections to other service providers

The Child and Family Wellness team is constantly adding to the programs and services that they are able to offer. Please watch for updates on Facebook and the Huu-ay-aht Uyaqhmis newsletter. If you have any ideas for services or groups which you would like to see offered from the Huu-ay-aht Child and Family Wellness team please let your Family and Protection Liaison know. Alternatively, you may also contact the Child and Family Wellness Director, Shannon Zimmerman directly: Email: click here |Phone: 778-419-1013 | Cell: 250-720-5797

Huu-ay-aht’s Child and Family Wellness Team

Child and Family Wellness Office: 778-419-1013. Fax: 778-419-4120

Mailing Address #1-4641 Margaret Street Port Alberni BC V9Y 6N1

Shannon Zimmerman – Director of Child and Family Wellness
Email: click here |Phone: 778-419-1013 | Cell: 250-720-5797

Betsy Potter – Administrative Assistant
Email: Click Here | Phone: 778-419-1013

Christine Pearson – Lead/Protection and Family Support Liaison Worker
Email: click here | phone: 778-419-1013 | Cell: 250-731-8378

Kerry-Ann Collinge – Protection and Family Support Liaison Worker
Email: click here| phone: 778-419-1013 | Cell: 250-735-6955

Tobias Rader – Protection and Family Support Liaison Worker
Email: click here | phone: 778-419-1013 | Cell: 250-735-1202

Rena Johnson – Clinical Counselor (on leave)
Email: click here | phone: 778-419-1013 | Cell: 250-735-4326

Child and Family Wellness After-Hours Phone (250-731-6999)

Citizens, effective immediately, the Child and Family Wellness After-Hours Emergency phone will only be available for citizens who have had a call from Child Protection Services (i.e. MCFD/Usma or other Delegated Agencies) and are requiring support after hours. Please call 250-731-6999 and leave a detailed message and a staff person will return your call as soon as possible.

For emotional or crisis support outside of regular office hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm), please contact one of the following numbers:

Crisis Line Association of BC – 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-SUICIDE (24 hours)

Mental Health Support Line: Call 310-6789 (no area code)

This number will connect you to your local BC crisis line without a wait or busy signal, 24 hours a day. Crisis line workers are there to listen and support you as well as refer you to community resources

Vancouver Island Crisis Line – 1-250-753-2495 (This toll-free number works only within the province of British Columbia. Out-of-province callers needing to reach the Crisis Line are invited to dial our office number at 1-250-753-2495 (long distance fees apply) and select Option 2 to be transferred to the Vancouver Island Crisis Line)

For persons living outside of Vancouver Island or BC, please contact a Crisis Line in your area.

Please note that the after-hours phone will not be answered for non-child protection call.