Become a
Family Council
Champion
Through training, peer support, and shared learning, Champions serve as local leaders who help Councils navigate challenges, share best practices, and build stronger relationships with LTC home staff and residents’ families.
What We're Looking for From You
Whether you are supporting the identification of a Champion, working alongside one, or stepping into the role yourself, this means being open to training, respectful dialogue, and thoughtful participation. You don’t need to have all the answers — just a willingness to listen, learn, and contribute in ways that strengthen connections between residents, families, and care teams.
If you are a Caregiver
Caregivers are the steady force behind better care — and when your voice is supported, informed, and connected, it can create real change. Becoming a Family Council Champion means stepping into a role that strengthens not only your own confidence, but the experience of residents and families across long-term care.
What’s Expected
- Leading with respect, collaboration, and care — even when conversations are hard
- Sharing accurate information and resources within your community
- Participating in scheduled meetings, learning sessions, or consultations
- Committing to a minimum 1-year term
This role is about consistency, curiosity, and care — not perfection or expertise.
Your Responsibilities
- Act as a connector between families, councils, and support networks
- Listen, reflect, and help elevate shared concerns and experiences
- Encourage constructive dialogue and positive problem-solving
- Help foster environments where families feel informed, included, and supported
You won’t be expected to do this alone — support and guidance are part of the role.
What You Gain
- Access to tools, resources, and training to strengthen your skills
- A supportive network of caregivers who understand your journey
- Opportunities to grow your leadership and confidence
- The satisfaction of knowing your experience is helping shape better care
Most importantly, you gain a stronger voice — one backed by community, knowledge, and purpose.
Ready to Step Forward?
If you care deeply about the well-being of residents and families, and you’re ready to turn lived experience into meaningful action, this role is for you.
If you are a Long-Term Care Home Staff Team
Long-term care homes are strongest when families feel informed, welcomed, and connected. Home staff play a key role in making that possible. By helping identify and support Family Council Champions, staff teams help create the conditions for meaningful collaboration and shared understanding.
What’s Expected
- Recognizing Family Council volunteers who demonstrate care, reliability, and collaboration
- Encouraging participation in learning and leadership opportunities
- Supporting respectful, open communication between families and the home
- Valuing family involvement as a strength in the care environment
This role complements existing responsibilities — it’s about connection and support, not added oversight.
Your Role
- Help identify Family Council volunteers who may be well-suited to take on a Champion role
- Support clear communication between the Family Council and home leadership
- Share relevant information and opportunities with Family Council members
- Help foster an environment where family leadership is welcomed and supported
Staff are not expected to manage or direct Champions — your role is to help open doors and build trust.
What You Gain
- Communication becomes clearer and more consistent
- Families feel more confident and engaged
- Councils are better equipped to organize, learn, and collaborate
- Homes benefit from stronger relationships and fewer misunderstandings
This shared approach helps create a more connected and respectful care community.
Ready to Support Family Leadership?
If your team values collaboration, transparency, and strong relationships with families, this role matters.
If you are a Family Council
At the heart of every effective Family Council is a small group of people who help keep everyone connected and informed. A Family Council Champion is a trained volunteer who supports the council’s work, with members helping identify and support the person best positioned to take on that role.
What’s Expected
- Supporting the Champion as a trusted point of connection and learning
- Encouraging participation in training and shared learning opportunities
- Creating space for respectful dialogue and collaboration
- Valuing preparation, communication, and consistency in council work
This approach is about strengthening what already exists — not changing the purpose or authority of the council.
Your Role
- Help identify volunteers who demonstrate care, reliability, and a collaborative approach
- Support the Champion in sharing information, resources, and learning with the group
- Work with the Champion to strengthen communication within the council and with the home
- Encourage inclusive participation and shared understanding among members
The Champion does not replace the council — they support it.
What You Gain
- Clearer access to information, tools, and resources
- Stronger confidence in navigating challenges and conversations
- Increased continuity when membership changes
- Connection to a wider network of councils and supports
This helps councils move from reactive work to more confident, informed participation.
Ready to Strengthen Your Council Together?
If your council values learning, collaboration, and long-term sustainability, working with a Family Council Champion can help.
Champions Information Webinar Sessions
Curious about the Champion role and how it works in practice? Join one of our Champions Information Webinars to learn more, ask questions, and decide if this opportunity is the right fit for you or your group.
Whether you’re thinking about applying to become a Champion, supporting someone in that role, or simply want to understand how the program works, these sessions are a great place to start.
These sessions will walk through:
- What the Champion role is (and what it isn’t)
- How Champions are supported and trained
- How Home Staff and Family Councils are involved
- What participation looks like
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who can be a Champion?
A: Any individual who is eligible to be a Family Council member—this includes family members, friends, or persons of importance to a resident in the LTC home. Ideally, the Champion should not be the Family Council Chair. Instead, it should be someone who is already engaged with the Council and is interested in taking on a larger role. The Champion will help build capacity within the Council and support both the Family Council and its Chair.
Q: How many homes are participating?
A: For the pilot phase, we aim to recruit at least 25 long-term care homes across Ontario. While participation in the pilot will be limited, a broader rollout of the Champion Model is planned for 2026. Even if your home is not selected for the pilot, FCO will continue to engage and collaborate with all LTC homes as the program expands.
Q: What is the time commitment for a Champion?
A: Champions commit to one year of active involvement, including a training session in Spring 2026 led by FCO, and ongoing support for their LTC home’s Family Council.
Q: How will homes benefit from participating?
A: Homes will have a trained Champion embedded in their community to help strengthen family engagement, sustain Family Councils, and foster positive communication.
Q: What support will FCO provide?
A: FCO will provide recruitment materials, training, coaching, and evaluation tools to support both Champions and LTC homes.
Q: Can I get help with my Family Council even if I’m not selected?
A: Absolutely! FCO is here to support all Family Councils, whether or not your home is part of the pilot. You can reach us anytime at info@fco.ngo. Our team offers a range of support, including presentations, coaching, leadership training, and guidance in conflict resolution.