Integrated Service.
Stronger Family Outcomes
Kootenay Integrated Family Services is dedicated to supporting families through both ongoing needs and times of transition. We provide compassionate, non-judgmental support that honours the unique experiences and dynamics of every family. Our work focuses on encouraging healthy communication, strengthening family connections, and fostering more positive relationships across the board. Whether families are navigating change, rebuilding trust, or seeking continued guidance, we walk alongside them with respect, accountability, and care—helping families move forward together with greater understanding and stability.
Kootenay Integrated Family Services proudly offers support throughout the Kootenays, the Boundary region, and the Okanagan, providing both in-person and virtual services to meet families where they are. Through secure and accessible virtual support, we are also able to serve families across the province of British Columbia. This flexible approach allows us to remain connected to children and families in rural, remote, and urban communities alike, ensuring continuity of care, consistency, and compassionate support—no matter the distance or circumstances.
Services in Summary
• Supervised Parental Visits — safe, supportive visitation that prioritizes the child’s comfort, emotional security, and well-being
• Supportive Parenting Plans — practical and compassionate guidance to support effective, child-centred co-parenting
• Reunification & Family Planning — structured, thoughtful planning to rebuild family connections at a pace that supports the child
• Coordination of Drug & Alcohol Detox Services — assistance navigating and accessing appropriate detox supports with dignity and care
• Coordination of Drug & Alcohol Treatment — ongoing coordination and connection to treatment and recovery resources
• One-to-One Parental Support — individualized support, advocacy, and accountability for parents
• One-to-One Connection to Local Resources — direct assistance linking families to trusted community services and supports
Healthy family relationships play a powerful and lasting role in a child’s growth and development. Research consistently shows that children thrive when they experience safe, supportive, and emotionally responsive interactions with their caregivers. Positive family dynamics—such as open communication, consistency, emotional attunement, and predictable routines—help children develop secure attachments, emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, and resilience. When families are supported through periods of stress, separation, recovery, or transition, children are better protected from anxiety, behavioural challenges, and emotional distress. Family-centred services that strengthen relationships, promote healthy co-parenting, and prioritize emotional safety create a foundation where children can feel secure, valued, and supported—allowing them to grow, heal, and flourish both now and into the future.
Our Services
We are committed to supporting families who are currently exercising supervised visitation arrangements in a respectful, neutral, and non-judgmental manner. We recognize that supervised visits often occur during complex and emotionally sensitive circumstances, and our role is to provide a calm, structured, and child-focused environment that prioritizes safety, consistency, and dignity for all parties involved.
Our Approach
Our services are grounded in professionalism, impartiality, and respect. We do not take sides, offer opinions, or make determinations regarding parenting capacity. Our sole function is to facilitate supervised visitation in accordance with court orders, legal agreements, or mutually agreed-upon parenting plans.
Supervised Visit Facilitation
We have experience facilitating supervised visits between parents and children in a manner that promotes smooth transitions and minimizes conflict. This includes:
• Calm, organized drop-offs and pick-ups between parents
• Clear communication regarding visit logistics
• Maintenance of appropriate boundaries throughout the visit
• Continuous supervision for the duration of the visit, as required
Documentation and Reporting
We provide detailed, factual, and neutral documentation related to supervised visits. Reports are observational in nature and may include:
• Date, time, and duration of the visit
• Location of the visit
• General observations of interactions
• Any notable incidents or deviations from the scheduled plan
All documentation is prepared with the understanding that it may be shared with legal counsel, courts, or involved professionals, and is written in a clear, objective, and professional manner.
Location Flexibility
We offer flexibility in the location of supervised visits where appropriate and permitted. Visits may occur in community settings, agreed-upon public locations, or other suitable environments that align with court orders or written agreements, always prioritizing the child’s well-being and safety.
Commitment to Families
We understand that families engaging in supervised visitation may be navigating legal, emotional, or transitional challenges. Our services are delivered without judgment, assumption, or bias. We strive to provide consistency, reliability, and professionalism, supporting the visitation process with care, discretion, and respect for all involved.
Separation and family restructuring can be a challenging and emotionally demanding time for parents, and equally difficult for children as they adjust to new routines, environments, and relationships. During these transitions, clear communication, thoughtful planning, and cooperative decision-making are essential to supporting children’s stability and well-being.
Our Services
We offer family mediation and co-parenting planning services designed to assist parents in developing practical, child-focused co-parenting plans and visitation schedules. Our work is intended to support families in navigating change with clarity and intention, while reducing conflict and promoting cooperative parenting arrangements.
Co-Parenting Plans & Visitation Schedules
We assist parents in creating customized co-parenting plans that may address:
• Parenting time and visitation schedules
• Holidays, vacations, and special occasions
• Communication guidelines between parents
• Decision-making frameworks regarding the children
• Transitions between households
These plans are developed with the goal of providing consistency for children while remaining adaptable as family needs evolve.
Mediation Approach
Our mediation process is neutral, respectful, and solution-focused. We do not take sides or offer legal advice. Instead, we facilitate structured conversations that allow parents to work collaboratively toward mutually acceptable agreements, with the intention of minimizing conflict and avoiding prolonged or distressing court proceedings where possible.
Child-Focused and Neutral Support
Our role is to support families from an impartial position, always guided by the best interests of the children. We prioritize:
• Emotional and practical stability for children
• Cooperative and respectful co-parenting relationships
• Smooth transitions as family dynamics change over time
Our Commitment
Our goal is to help families move forward with clarity, cooperation, and reduced conflict. By supporting constructive communication and thoughtful planning, we aim to help parents establish workable agreements that promote family tranquility and support children as their family structure evolves..
Family dynamics are not always linear or predictable, and periods of separation can occur for many reasons. We are committed to supporting families through the reunification process in a thoughtful, structured, and child-centered manner, with the best interests of the children as the guiding priority.
Our Approach
Reunification requires careful planning, patience, and sensitivity to each family’s unique circumstances. We recognize that successful reunification depends on a range of factors, including the age and developmental stage of the children, the length of separation, the geographic location of parents and family members, and the specific context of the family’s situation.
Our approach is neutral, respectful, and grounded in careful consideration of the child’s emotional safety and well-being. We do not assign blame or take sides; instead, we focus on creating practical, supportive pathways for reconnection.
Reunification Planning & Support
We work with families to develop structured reunification plans that may include:
• Gradual and age-appropriate reconnection strategies
• Thoughtful pacing of contact and transitions
• Consideration of location, supervision needs, and logistics
• Communication frameworks to support consistency and predictability
• Guidance for parents on supporting children through reunification
Child-First Focus
Every reunification plan is designed with the child at the center. We prioritize stability, emotional safety, and clear expectations, helping reduce stress and uncertainty during the reunification process.
Parent Support & Skill Building
In addition to planning, we support parents in developing the skills needed to reintegrate effectively into their child’s life. This includes fostering healthy communication, understanding children’s responses to change, and building confidence in navigating reunification in a way that supports long-term family stability.
Our Commitment
Our goal is to help families reunite in a productive and compassionate way, supporting children through transitions while equipping parents with the tools needed for successful and sustainable reunification as family relationships evolve.
Who We Are
Kootenay Integrated Family Services was founded with one simple belief at its core: children thrive best when they are supported by safe, caring, and connected families. We walk alongside families with kindness, patience, and deep respect—whether they are finding their way back together, learning how to co-parent effectively, or navigating complex transitions. Our work is rooted in compassion and entirely free of judgment. We meet families where they are, honour their unique journeys, and keep the child’s emotional, physical, and relational well-being at the center of every decision.
Our team is highly trained and deeply experienced, with over a decade of hands-on work supporting children and families. We are trained in the effective and productive supervision of visitation, supporting vulnerable children and families, working with women and caregivers, addressing parental alienation, and guiding families through addiction and recovery with dignity and care. We advocate fiercely and thoughtfully for families, always striving to create environments that feel safe, respectful, and supportive. Born and raised in the Kootenays, our roots in this community run deep, and we are proud to have expanded our services to also support families throughout the Okanagan. Wherever families are in their journey, we are here to support connection, healing, and hope.
