Monthly Updates
May 2022
IFSD is writing to share its second monthly update on First Nations child and family services (FNCFS) reform (updates will continue monthly). Feel free to share this update with colleagues or invite them to join our mailing list
This is a call to action.
IFSD needs your help to compile as many perspectives as possible through the questionnaire. Building a dataset with contributions from First Nations not served by a FNCFS agency is critical to defining a baseline for cost analysis and future needs.
The information will support the ongoing negotiations for long-term reform of the First Nations child and family services system.
This month’s messages:
- Every First Nation/Band that completes the questionnaire will receive a $300 gift card. More First Nations not served by a FNCFS agency are needed to complete the questionnaire.
- There are fewer than 30% of First Nations not served by a FNCFS agency that have completed the questionnaire to date.
- Every First Nation/Band that completes the questionnaire will receive a $300 gift card to an outlet of their choice (e.g., Amazon, Shoppers, Tim Horton’s, Canadian Tire, etc.). Share your questionnaire by June 30, 2022, to receive your gift card.
- In May 2022, six workshops were hosted across Canada, with another three workshops scheduled for Ottawa in early June. The sessions have been invaluable in capturing the differences in First Nations’ approaches to child and family services.
- IFSD continues to seek out volunteer collaborators for this work, to share their practices and experiences in child and family services in an in-depth fashion.
Throughout the month of May, IFSD was pleased to host 6 workshops in Vancouver (2 sessions), Prince George, Whitehorse, Edmonton, and Yellowknife, with another 3 workshops scheduled for Ottawa in early June.
Across all sessions, we will have heard from 70 First Nations/Bands through 124 workshop participants. It is evident that there is a broad range of approaches, needs, and points of departure in the delivery of child and family services in First Nations not served by FNCFS agencies.
IFSD will be working on the discussion summaries of the takeaways from the workshop discussions (with participant reviews) to be shared in the next monthly update.
While in-person participation in the workshops has been additive, there is a significant gap in data collection. At this time, there are under 30% of First Nations not served by a FNCFS agency that have completed the questionnaire (there are 165 First Nations not served by a FNCFS agency). It is a good start, but more contributions are needed to ensure cost analysis reflects current needs in communities.
The deadline to complete the questionnaire has been extended to June 30, 2022.
Questions? Contact Dr. Helaina Gaspard (helaina.gaspard@ifsd.ca | (613) 983-8461).
April 2022
IFSD is writing to share its first monthly update on First Nations child and family services (FNCFS) reform (updates will continue monthly). Feel free to share this update with colleagues or invite them to join our mailing list.
In January 2022, after years at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT), the parties came to an agreement in principle (AIP).
As the parties continue to negotiate a final agreement, there is an opportunity to shape the reform of the First Nations child and family services (FNCFS) system to focus on well-being.
IFSD is working with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Caring Society, and the National Advisory Committee (NAC) to provide research support and analysis for long-term reform.
We need your perspective to get this right.
This project is designed to help identify and cost the needs of First Nations not served by a FNCFS agency that wish to design and deliver child and family services or prevention services in their communities. By defining needs, costing approaches, and identifying current gaps, First Nations and stakeholders can prepare a way forward.
How can I participate?
Share your experience as a First Nation not served by a FNCFS agency on child and family services programming, funding, and capital needs by completing a questionnaire by June 3, 2022.
IFSD will cover the costs for two representatives from your First Nation (typically, one child and family services program expert, and one finance expert) for an in-person working session. During the session, you will complete the questionnaire and engage in a group exchange on needs, successes, and challenges in the design and delivery of child and family services.
Join one of the following in-person work sessions:
- Vancouver, BC – Monday, May 9, 2022
- Vancouver, BC – Tuesday, May 10, 2022
- Prince George, BC – Thursday, May 12, 2022
- Whitehorse, YK – Monday, May 16, 2022
- Edmonton, AB – Wednesday, May 18, 2022
- Yellowknife, NWT – Friday, May 20, 2022
- Ottawa, ON – Wednesday, June 1, 2022
- Ottawa, ON – Thursday, June 2, 2022
- Québec, QC – Monday, June 13, 2022
To attend an in-person workshop, complete the registration form and email it to helaina.gaspard@ifsd.ca by May 27, 2022.
Virtual options are available OR you can complete the questionnaire on your own and return it to helaina.gaspard@ifsd.ca.
Any data shared will only be used for the purposes of this project. Participants can withdraw at any time and any data they shared will be destroyed. Learn more about IFSD’s privacy and data management practices here.
In addition, IFSD is seeking 10 volunteer First Nations to serve as collaborators for this work (an approximately 2-day commitment).
If your First Nation is interested in volunteering as a collaborator, contact Dr. Helaina Gaspard (helaina.gaspard@ifsd.ca | (613) 983-8461) before May 27, 2022. IFSD will be working to balance various characteristics, e.g., region, geography, size of the population served, etc. We are very open to volunteers but will not be able to accept all volunteers (as much as we would like to).
Questions? Contact Dr. Helaina Gaspard (helaina.gaspard@ifsd.ca | (613) 983-8461).