What it does
Helps you find programs, daycare leads, cost-help paths, school/moving steps, and settlement starting points.
Example: “Find coding for age 8 in Coquitlam.”
How FAMPAL works
A calm picture guide for buttons, labels, and what to do next — written for real families testing FAMPAL today.
What is FAMPAL?
FAMPAL helps Tri-Cities families decide what to do next — using official sources, not guesses. It is an advisor, not a directory of invented details.
What it does not do
FAMPAL does not invent schedules, prices, or registration spots. Final details stay on official websites.
Best first step
If you are unsure where to begin, open Ask FAMPAL and describe the situation in plain words.
Example: “We just moved and need school steps.”
How to ask FAMPAL
Ask is the conversation helper. It suggests next steps and can point you into the right FAMPAL page.
Ask FAMPAL
Type what is going on. FAMPAL replies with a calm next step and links when helpful.
Example: Click Ask on Home, or open Ask FAMPAL from a service page panel.
When to use it
Use Ask when you are stuck choosing, comparing options, or unsure which page to open.
How Activities works
Activities helps you find public and private programs/providers, then confirm the important details on the official source.
- 1
Tell us what you need
Category, city, age, or a keyword like coding.
- 2
Review matches
See providers and programs that may fit.
- 3
Confirm officially
Open the provider website for final details.
- 4
Save or Follow Updates
Keep options you want to return to.
Search and filters
Category / city / age
Narrow the list so you see fewer, more useful options first.
Example: STEM / Learning + Coquitlam + age 8
Keyword
Optional refine — useful when you already know a sport, camp, or provider name.
Budget & financial help
These help you focus on lower-cost options when that matters. Always confirm fees officially.
Provider vs program
Provider
The organization (for example a coding school). Discovery may find a provider before every program detail is confirmed.
Program / session
A specific offering or session time. Treat schedule and price as confirmed only when the card says the current source was checked.
Provider only
FAMPAL found the provider, but current program details still need confirmation on the official website.
Official sources
Open official source
Opens the provider or city registration page in a new tab. Use this before you register or pay.
Example: Always confirm spots, ages, and fees there.
Discovery vs truth
Google Places (and similar discovery) can help FAMPAL find providers. The official website remains the source of truth for programs and sessions.
Status legend
Honest labels used in Activities and related results.
Current source confirmed
Details unconfirmed
Discovered
Official website
Needs confirmation
Provider only
Public
Private
Save, Follow Updates, Share, Remind
Save
Keeps the item in your signed-in family list so you can return later.
Example: Save a coding provider while you compare options.
Follow Updates
Asks FAMPAL to watch for meaningful updates where monitoring is supported. This is in-app follow, not a guarantee of email/SMS alerts.
Remind me
Creates an in-app reminder for this item when you are signed in.
Share
Copies a stable FAMPAL link shape you can send to a co-parent. Works signed out.
New to Canada and Immigration
New to Canada
A settlement starting journey — school, activities, costs, and everyday getting-started help.
Example: Open New to Canada from Home or the Services menu.
Immigration
A more specialist pathway assessment. It stays separate from New to Canada and may connect to ARIMENT where appropriate.
Profile
Optional city and children details help tailor suggestions. You can browse without filling a profile.
Location labels
City and location on a card come from available source data. Distance is only shown when FAMPAL has that information.
What to do when information is missing
No results
Try a broader category, clear the keyword, or Ask FAMPAL what else to check locally.
Unconfirmed details
Open the official website. If a source is temporarily unavailable, confirmed results still rank higher when possible.
Still stuck?
Use Ask FAMPAL, or send Public Test feedback from the sidebar so the team can improve the journey.