Service Delivery (North and South)

Successes

• The agency has acquired funding for cabins for land-based programming that includes traditional knowledge and cultural practices.
• The focus on prevention has improved, with the aim of decreasing the likelihood of children coming into care.
• There is success in reunifying children with their families or placing them with extended family or culturally appropriate guardians.
• More youth in care are graduating from high school, with aspirations for further education or employment.

Challenges

• Staffing shortages lead to frontline Child and Family Services (CFS) workers handling dual responsibilities in Family Enhancement and protection work.
• Low attendance in prevention programs, which are vital for issues like domestic violence, parenting, and trauma.
• High intake volumes and the transient nature of some clients make it difficult to manage cases effectively.
• The agency faces logistical issues like insufficient office and storage space, and the risk of exposure to drug-related harm when entering homes.
• Limited mental health, youth suicide, and addiction treatment services are available.

Strategies

• Developing safety plans with families.
• Building positive relationships with local resources like RCMP, hospitals, and schools to provide comprehensive support.
• Emphasizing prevention to create positive family relationships.

Community Connection

Although child protection services are sometimes met with resistance, the agency's shift towards prevention is positively changing perceptions.
Engagement with community leadership varies, with some actively involved and others less so, but generally, there is support for the agency's efforts.

These efforts collectively aim to address the complex needs of families and children while enhancing community trust and cooperation.

Robert Lafontaine, MA, BSW
Director of Services