October 2021 In-Person Training Event

Join us for two days of reflection and learning on cultural safety, inclusion, and purpose-driven work within the early years field.

Registration is now closed.

Dates:

October 18th and 19th, 2021

Location:

Day 1- October 18, 2021: Inn at the Quay, New Westminster, BC

Day 2- October 19, 2021: Douglas College, New Westminster, BC

Everyone’s health and safety are of utmost importance so this training is being planned in accordance with the most current COVID-19 pandemic health orders and regulations. This includes proof of vaccination in order to attend. Please see more details below.

Cost:

Free to FRP-BC members. Travel allowances available for those travelling from outside of the Lower Mainland. Lunch and snacks will be provided on both days.

About:

The training event will consist of a package of three in-person workshops over two days, all related and meant to inform one another. Participants must be available for the full two days. The workshops include:

1. Purpose-Driven Programs: Finding Our Centre in Midst of Change, facilitated by Alison Brewin
2. Thinking with Social Justice in the Early Years, facilitated by Ana Valle Rivera
3. TRC and Anti-Racism Dialogue, facilitated by Reciprocal Consulting

Please see below for a full description of workshops and the facilitators’ bios, as well as COVID-19 Safety Information.

Workshops & Facilitators:

Day 1

Workshop #1- Purpose-Driven Programs: Finding Our Centre in Midst of Change– 3hrs
Facilitated by Alison Brewin

By focusing on our core purpose – both our own as service providers and the purpose of our program and organization – change becomes something that is energizing rather than stressful. Why do we do what we do? Why was our program created? What is our organization trying to accomplish? From that place, we can explore who should be included, how we might navigate change, and how best to collaborate with others who share our purpose. By centering on the Why and the Who, we become more open, resilient and inclusive organizations that are not modeled on business practices, but on what makes our sector strong – Purpose. It also sets the foundation for honest reflection and positive goal setting.

Participants will be asked to come with organizational mission, mandates, and any strategic plans, as well as program descriptions. The session will explore what led you to this work as well as what brings your organization to this work.

Alison Brewin is a consultant to non-profits. Her career includes a law degree, 12 years with West Coast LEAF advancing gender equality, Administrator at East Side Family Place, the owner of a small toy store serving East Van families, and other community leadership roles. She provides advice, training, and support services to, literally, 100s of non-profits across BC. She believes in finding what makes us great as a sector, building collaborative relationships, and creating engaged teams.

Day 1

Workshop #2- Thinking with Social Justice in the Early Years– 3hrs
Facilitated by Ana Valle Rivera- ECE, BCYC, MPEd student, Infant Development Consultant and Facilitator

Working in a diverse world requires educators to think ethically and critically about their choices made on a daily basis. This workshop is meant to support educators in thinking with a social justice perspective by thinking about what social justice means to them. In this workshop participants will be invited to think with anti-biased and anti-racist perspectives. Participants will also explore the BC Early Learning Framework definition of pedagogy to begin to make connections with social justice.

Ana Valle Rivera began working in the childcare field in 2007, has a Diploma in ECE and Special Needs Education (2010), and a Bachelor in Child and Youth Care with a specialization in Early Years (2021). Ana is a parent, a children’s book author, and the founder of Early Years Workshops & Training. Ana has many aspirations but her current focus is to inspire positive change in the early year’s field through sharing a vision of social wellness and social justice for all.

Day 2

Workshop #3: TRC and Anti-Racism Dialogue- All Day
Facilitated by Kylee Swift and Sofia Vitalis from Reciprocal Consulting

This workshop is aimed at fostering understanding and outcomes to better serve Indigenous families and will cover such topics as Truth and Reconciliation, unpacking worldview and bias, racism and its impacts, trauma-informed approaches and cultural safety, allyship, and more.

Reciprocal Consulting is a First Nations-owned consulting firm that specializes in anti-racism training and culturally safe evaluation and research. They have been in operation for 18 years and have led nearly 300 projects. Learn more on their website.

COVID-19 Safety Information

As the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic is in flux, we will be adjusting safety protocols accordingly. This training event is being planned in accordance with the BC government’s and local health authority’s orders and recommendations. We will be taking necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of all training participants and facilitators. Please be advised that all training facilitators and participants will be required to show proof of vaccination, as by order of the PHO (see here for more information). In addition, based on the current regulations in BC, masks will be mandatory indoors.

Please note that depending on the state of the pandemic at the time of this training, certain rules/regulations that are not currently in place or that have not been mandated by the BC government may be imposed for this training. Conversely, certain rules/regulations that are in place currently may be lifted, such as the mask mandate.  We kindly ask that training participants keep this in mind before signing up for the interest list and also assess potential risks on their own terms.  We strongly advise participants coming from out-of-town to book transportation and accommodation that allow for a refund in the event of a cancellation. FRP-BC cannot be held liable for any fees or non-refundable deposits in the event of cancellation. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding with the ever-evolving situation.

Registration & Eligibility:

Due to limited capacity, we will regrettably have to limit the number of spots to three participants per member agency at this time. Please note that priority will be given to members with an FRP Membership Level 1, 2, or 3 as overall capacity is set to 30 participants.

Travel Allowance Opportunity

As a provincial organization, FRP-BC is committed to ensuring access and representation for all regions in BC. As such, we are pleased to be able to offer an allowance to a limited number of training participants travelling far distances. This allowance is intended to go towards the cost of transportation and accommodation and will be provided on a needs-basis. To find out more and apply for an allowance, please contact admin@frpbc.ca.