Since its creation in October 2020 with the support of Family Councils Ontario, the Réseau has become a space for collaboration, mutual support and knowledge sharing for Francophone members of Family Councils across Ontario. Through its monthly virtual meetings, the Réseau encourages dialogue among family caregivers, the sharing of best practices and knowledge sharing, thereby contributing to improving the quality of life of people living in long-term care (LTC).
Over the past year, members have participated in a rich and diverse programming. In addition to the monthly updates presented by Family Councils Ontario staff, several guest speakers and partners shared their expertise on issues affecting long-term care. Presentations covered topics such as nutrition and hydration in LTC, care plans, the Family Councils Ontario Knowledge Exchange Workspace, resources available through the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), and services provided by the Clinique juridique francophone d’Ottawa (Ottawa Francophone Legal Clinic).
The Réseau also promoted the sharing of research-based knowledge. A researcher from the University of Ottawa presented a study on training activities focused on the active offer of French language health and social services. In addition, in collaboration with Family Councils Ontario, a provincial webinar (available in French only) introduced another University of Ottawa study titled Experiences in Long-Term Care Homes and Language Challenges in Ontario: Perspectives of Francophone Seniors, Family Caregivers, Frontline Care Providers and Managers.
The Réseau’s commitment was also demonstrated in the participation of multiple members in initiatives, such as the Ontario Long Term Care Association’s strategic planning process; collaborations with Community Living Associations to better support adults with intellectual disabilities living in long term care; the OCO’s project on Francophone perspectives on caregiving in remote and rural communities; the Transforming Long-Term Care by Strengthening Family Councils conference organized by Family Councils Ontario; the Canadian Caregiving Summit 2025 organized by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence; and the ceremony recognizing the Centre d’acceuil Champlain with a formal designation as a French Language Services agency under the Ontario’s French Language Services Act.
The Réseau is also proud to highlight that two of its members received a Recognition Award from the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario, an award that recognizes their outstanding commitment to caregivers and families.
Testimonials gathered from members clearly illustrate the importance of the Réseau: “What I valued most was having a space where I could share the little joys and everyday challenges.” “The Réseau provided me with incredible support, particularly for discussing caregiving-related topics and sharing resources and contacts.” “The Réseau helped me better understand how long-term care homes operate. This made the time my loved one spent there much easier.”
By bringing together our experiences, resources and expertise, we are strengthening the capacity of Francophone members of Family Councils to represent the interests of residents and contribute to the ongoing improvement of long term care in Ontario.
Want to learn more or join our Réseau? Please feel free to contact us at reseaufcfo@gmail.com. We would be pleased to connect with you and welcome you to our meetings. You can also follow our Facebook page to discover our highlight stories, conferences and webinars, and various initiatives.