Being a young parent can come with a lot of questions about parenting, child care, school, work, housing, health, finances, relationships and more. If you’re not sure where to start, YPOP can also help you navigate services and connect with the right supports.

Young Parent Support

BC Council for Families – Professionals Serving Young Parents is a province-wide network for professionals who support young parents. The program provides opportunities to connect, share information, collaborate and access resources related to supporting young families.

Child Care & Financial Support

Victoria Child Care Resource & Referral can help families search for licensed and monitored child care in Greater Victoria. They provide individualized child-care referrals, information about child-care options and assistance with the Affordable Child Care Benefit.

Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) is a monthly payment that helps eligible families with the cost of child care. Eligibility depends on factors such as family income, family size and the type of child care.

Young Parent Program for parents under age 25 who may qualify for additional help with child-care costs while completing Grade 12. Eligibility requirements apply, including requirements related to the parent’s age, education and the age of their child.

$10 a Day ChildCareBC can significantly reduce the cost of licensed child care. Availability depends on individual providers and their waitlists.

Parenting & Family Programs

Fernwood Neighbourhood House – Best Babies is a free prenatal and postnatal program for pregnant and postpartum parents with children ages 0–1. The program currently serves low-income families and offers educational sessions, one-to-one support, food resources, prenatal vitamins and community referrals.

Fernwood Neighbourhood House – Family Programs offers a variety of programs for families, parents-to-be, children and the wider community. Current offerings change throughout the year and may include parenting programs, support groups and community meals.

ParentsCanada provides parenting information and resources for families across Canada, including information about pregnancy, babies, children, health, development and family life.

Health

Island Sexual Health provides inclusive, confidential sexual and reproductive health services in Greater Victoria. Services include birth control, STI prevention, testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and pro-choice support, sexual health information and other community health services.

Foundry Victoria provides free and confidential health and wellness services for young people and their families. Services include counselling, health care, substance-use support and other social and wellness supports.

BounceBack is a free skill-building program for adults and youth 13 and older who are experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Support is available online or by phone with a coach.

Indigenous Family & Youth Services

Victoria Native Friendship Centre provides culturally safe services and programs for urban Indigenous individuals and families. Programs include family services, early childhood development, youth services, housing, food security, health and wellness, education and employment supports, and cultural programming.

Victoria Native Friendship Centre – Family Services provides support to Indigenous families, including family support workers, family social workers, advocacy and assistance for families involved with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Legal & Family Justice

Victoria Justice Access Centre provides free services to help families navigate separation and family-law matters, including parenting arrangements, guardianship, child support and contact with a child. Services are available in person and virtually.

Legal Aid BC provides legal information and assistance for people who qualify. Its family-law resources cover topics such as separation, parenting arrangements, child support, protection orders and other family-law issues.

Legal Aid BC – Family Law Resourcesoffers information about separation, parenting arrangements, child support and other family-law topics.

Community & Family Supports

Burnside Gorge Community Association provides programs and services for children, youth and families throughout Greater Victoria. Services include community programs, child care, youth and family supports, housing and asset-development supports, recreation and community resources.

Pacific Centre Family Services Association provides counselling, social services and community programs across South Vancouver Island, with a focus on the Westshore and Sooke. Services include family and couples counselling, youth outreach, mental-health and substance-use counselling, trauma therapy and other supports.

Soroptimist Victoria Westshore supports women and girls through education, mentorship and community programs. Its local initiatives include food-security support and other programs that may benefit women and families.

Finding Other Community Resources

BC 211 is a free information and referral service that can help people find community, social, government and health-related services in British Columbia. If you’re not sure which organization can help with a particular need, 211 can be a useful place to start.