The term “family resource program” describes an innovative and cost-effective model of service delivery for children and their families. Family resource programming is currently offered in thousands of communities across Canada and engages over 400,000 families every year.

Participation at family resource programs is voluntary
and open to all families from diverse backgrounds and life circumstances. Family resource programs enhance
child and family well-being by reducing the isolation of parents with infants, toddlers and preschoolers, by providing information and resources that encourage healthy child development and positive parenting, and by being convenient access points to other community services.

Family resource programs deliver a range of services guided by principles that focus on building supportive relationships, facilitating growth, respecting diversity and furthering community development.

Family resource programs are known by many names (for example Parent Link Centre, Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC), Community Action Programs for Children (CAPC), organisme communautaire à la famille). Regardless of their diverse names and funding auspices, family resource programs all work from the belief that parents have the greatest influence on their children’s development, that all families deserve support, and that all families are resourceful.

For more detail about the development of the family resource movement in Canada, see Chapter 3 of
Case Studies of Canadian Family Resource Programs