Map of northern British Columbia electoral districts

Who We Are

Northern Association of Family Councils (NAFC) is a Regional Association of Family Councils formally established in 2021. We are a group of committed volunteers who believe that the ongoing involvement of residents’ family, friends, and community will enhance care and improve the quality of life for LTC Residents.

NAFC invites independent (self-led, self-determining, democratic) “Family Councils” operating in long-term care (LTC) homes in the Northern Health Authority (NHA) to become members. Additionally, persons with lived experience in LTC may also be considered as members, e.g. a person who previously worked or volunteered in long-term care or had a loved one residing in care and may have belonged to a family council.

Members network to learn the ins and outs of the LTC system so they can advocate more effectively. They become familiar with legislation, regulations, polices and procedures in place and look for avenues to improve the resident experience and the LTC system.

Members discuss what is and isn’t working well in their loved one’s care home. Through this discussion, best practices and systemic issues are identified, and then further examined and evaluated by representation from all regional associations though the provincial association of family councils, the Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC (ILTCCABC).

NAFC is one of five independent regional associations of family councils who are members of ILTCCABC. Each Regional Association delegates 3 of its members as Regional Association Representatives (RA Reps) to represent its region at the provincial table monthly zoom meetings.

These 15 RA Reps network to consolidate the collective voice of recommendations which have the integrity and accuracy that come from experiences and perspectives that are first identified by independent family councils, validated at meetings in their respective regional association and then gathered and presented by the provincial association directly to the Ministry of Health.

Our People

The dedicated team members of the Fraser Association of Family Councils (FAFC) bring together a diverse range of skills, backgrounds, and lived experiences. They are all united by a shared commitment to supporting family councils, advancing advocacy, and strengthening relationships within the long-term care community.

NAFC Membership

Each member stated below is entitled to one vote at NAFC meetings and may hold office on the NAFC Executive:

a) TWO appointed or elected family council member representatives from each long-term care home in the Northern Health Authority to represent their individual Family Council.

b) a Family Council member whose loved one is now deceased but wishes to continue their involvement in NAFC.

c) a person, other than those in (a) and (b) above, who is currently, or has in the past, been involved in advocating to enhance the quality of care and quality life of residents in long term care. Such a person may have previously worked in long term care, volunteered in long term care, been a member of a Family Council at some point in time, and, through recommendation of a member set out in category (a) or (b) above wishes to advocate for Family Councils by becoming a member in NAFC. This membership is subject to approval by the NAFC executive.

NAFC Executive

The Executive committee will be elected at the annual general meeting (AGM). The executive positions members can stand for are Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and (three) 3 Directors representing different regions (N.W., N.I., N.E.) within the Northern Health Authority. The Past Chair may remain on the executive committee in an advisory position for one year.

NAFC Regional Association Representatives
NAFC is one of five (5) independent Regional Associations of Family Councils (RAFCs). NAFC was formed in 2021 and operates independently within the Northern Health Authority. There is currently one association in each health authority within BC. Each RAFC is a member of the Independent Long-Term Care Councils Association of BC (ILTCCABC), an independent provincial association of family councils registered as a BC society,

Each of the 5 RAFCs attend meetings of ILTCCABC by way of its 3 delegated RA Representatives (RA Reps). There are currently up to 15 RA Reps attending the ILTCCABC meetings. Each RA Rep is entitled to speak and vote, and in all other respects exercise the rights of a member, and each RA Representative shall be recognized as a member for all purposes at ILTCCABC meetings

At NAFC’s AGM, usually held in April, the 3 RA Reps will be elected, and their positions will take effect at the next provincial AGM, usually held in May.

TERMS OF REFERENCE(opens in new tab)

CODE OF CONDUCT(opens in new tab)

NAFC PAMPHLET(opens in new tab)