Child and Family Wellness

Child and Family Wellness After-Hours Phone: 250-731-6999

If you receive a call from had a call from a Child Protection Service Social Worker (i.e. MCFD/Usma/Delegated Agencies or Child Protection staff in other countries), or a Social Worker comes to your door after business hours or during office closures, please take the following steps:

Immediately call the Child and Family Wellness After-Hours Phone at 250-731-6999 and leave a detailed message and a staff person will return your call as soon as possible
Tell the Social Worker its your inherent and legal right to have representation from Huu-ay-aht and that you have contacted Huu-ay-aht staff
Wait for staff person to call back before having discussion with Social Worker

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: 250-723-0100 | Cell: 250-720-5797

Administrative Assistant
Email: Click Here | Phone: 250-723-0100

Christine Pearson – Lead/Protection and Family Support Liaison Worker
Email: click here | phone: 250-723-0100 | Cell: 250-731-8378

Kerry-Ann Collinge – Protection and Family Support Liaison Worker
Email: click here| phone: 250-723-0100 | Cell: 250-735-6955

Rena Johnson – Clinical Counselor
Email: click here | phone: 250-723-0100 | Cell: 250-735-4326

Additional Supports

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.