Parents Advocating Collectively for Kin (PACK), based in British Columbia, is an organization devoted to supporting mothers and birthing parents who use—or have used—substances, many of whom face immense stigma and systemic challenges, including risks of child apprehension. PathWise Solutions had a chance to design and develop PACK‘s first eLearning training for peers, generously sponsored by the BC Women’s Mental Health and Substance Use Programs & Initiatives of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
Introduction: A Resource for Advocacy and Change
This 7-module eLearning series serves as PACK’s first online educational resource. Designed to train peer support workers and advocates, the course provides vital tools for those assisting substance-using mothers and birthing parents, particularly as they navigate complex child welfare systems. PACK’s ultimate goal is to reduce harm, challenge biases, and foster support for families at risk of systemic intervention.
This collaboration with PathWise Solutions, alongside content contributions from organizations like Heron’s Nest Education Centre for Young Parents and various subject matter experts with lived experience, highlights the power of stories, trauma-informed care, and inclusive education to enact meaningful change.
Our Instructional Design Approach
The sensitive nature of PACK’s work—supporting families impacted by systemic scrutiny and societal judgment—required careful, thoughtful instructional design.
1. Scenarios Rooted in Reality
To ensure learners engage deeply, real-life scenarios were integrated throughout the modules. These situations illustrate the complex barriers faced by substance-using parents, including stigmatisation, lack of access to resources, and systemic biases in child welfare systems. Scenarios enabled learners to apply knowledge to practice, helping peer workers build the confidence to navigate similar real-world challenges.
2. Open and Inclusive Language
Emphasizing dignity and respect was critical. We adopted harm reduction-focused, strength-based language that challenges misconceptions about substance-using parents. PACK’s advocacy for trauma-informed care was mirrored throughout, ensuring the course itself provides a compassionate and empowering experience.
3. Flexible, Learner-Centred Structure
Each module was structured to be accessible and manageable, with engaging interactions, reflection points, and knowledge checks. This approach allows learners—many of whom work in challenging environments—to progress at their own pace while maintaining emotional safety.
Visual Design: Telling Stories with Compassion and Clarity
PathWise Solutions worked closely with PACK to ensure the visual design enhanced both emotional impact and learner engagement.
– Custom Illustrations
One standout feature is the use of custom artwork by Hawkfeather Peterson, a PACK coordinator. These visuals not only add authenticity but also serve as powerful tools for fostering empathy. Illustrations delicately depict families and advocates in relatable and respectful ways.
– Colour and Emotional Resonance
Thoughtful use of colour played a key role in breaking down complex topics. Vibrant visuals invite learners in, while careful tone management ensures sensitivity around topics of trauma, harm reduction, and family policing systems.
– Rich Use of Photos and Graphics
To further enhance clarity and understanding, the modules feature a rich combination of photos and graphics that align with the course content. Real-world imagery connects learners to the lived experiences of the families and peer workers, while clear, purposeful graphics simplify complex concepts. This blend of visuals ensures the material remains approachable and engaging for all learners, reinforcing key messages while deepening comprehension.
A Collaborative, Patient Approach
The creation of these modules was a deeply collaborative effort, reflecting the evolving realities faced by PACK and the communities they serve. Recognizing the need for flexibility, the project timeline was revised several times to accommodate the shifting demands of the work and the availability of the subject matter experts. PathWise Solutions worked closely with PACK to ensure that, even amid these changes, the project continued to move forward effectively and respectfully.
For the Supporting Indigenous Peers and Families as They Navigate the Family Policing System module, we partnered with Indigenous advisors who provided invaluable guidance on addressing the specific issues faced by Indigenous families—communities often disproportionately affected by policing efforts and child apprehensions. Their insight helped ensure that the module content is not only accurate but also culturally sensitive and empowering.
This patient, flexible approach honoured PACK’s dedication to both their clients and this project, resulting in a resource that truly reflects the lived realities of the families it seeks to support.
Conclusion: Impacting Lives, Supporting Families
At PathWise Solutions, we are proud to have played a part in PACK’s first eLearning initiative—a vital resource for peer support workers across British Columbia. By combining real-life scenarios, trauma-informed approaches, and thoughtful visual design, this course offers learners the tools to provide empathetic, effective advocacy.
This project is more than just training; it’s about building a stronger, more inclusive support system for mothers and birthing parents who deserve dignity, respect, and care. It also lifts up Indigenous voices in a culturally sensitive–and relevant–way.
The PACK Learning Management System, also designed and built by PathWise Solutions, and courses are now live and accessible at our development server: https://pack.pathwisedev.ca/. You don’t need to register to access or take this training. However, registration is necessary if you want to receive a certificate of completion.
We’re excited to see how PACK’s work continues to grow and make a difference for families and communities.
