Child and Family Services

The Child and Family Services Program encompasses supportive counseling services for children and their families with the objective of preventing the need for child welfare interventions.
 
The Investment support services will support families at risk and provide individual / family counselling on a mutually consensual basis. The Child and Family Services program assists with problem solving, encouragement and empowerment of family units that will facilitate making healthy choices for their families.
 
The role of the Child and Family Service Workers is to create a climate of trust and respect in which individuals can feel safe and supported when dealing with issues. Workers will also encourage support systems that exist in the community by providing advocacy and essential services that will prevent and /or reduce the necessity of protection services.

Networking Collaborative Services

The Child and Family Service Worker (CFSW) will assess, develop and implement a plan for service with families, based on the strengths and needs of the family. As well, the CFSW’s will assist and collaborate with Band Representatives, Community Support Workers, Mental Health Workers, Educators, Tribal Police and other Native service providers by facilitating the development of appropriate plans of care with the Manitoulin/Sudbury Children’s Aid Society.

Assessment and Referrals

Assessments will be completed with individuals and/or family members in a culturally appropriate, respectful and timely manner. Services will be developed based on the medicine wheel on the strengths and needs of the family; services that will educate, encourage, support and empower the individual/family to retain a measure of balance over their lives. Alternate additional services will be linked upon consent of the client.

Advocacy and Liaison

CFSWs will promote and affirm the endeavors and development/growth of the family, either in writing or verbally, in order to support the respective Band Representative during the child welfare court process. Workers will interpret, explain and liaise between the clients and court workers, lawyers, tribal police, and be supportive during actual court proceedings. Service Description

Supportive Services

Are and will be provided through the provision of emotional support, guidance, information, advise, encouragement, understanding and feedback that will be offered before, during, and after the crisis situations and interventions involving protection services.

Education and Life Skills

Services delivered will concentrate on the early life stages, formative and adult years in all four areas of the Anishnaabe way of life — emotional, spiritual, physical and mental. Relationship building, parenting skills and pro-active life skills are also emphasized.

Tangible Support Services

Temporary / emergency measures which act to stabilize a crisis situation and reduce the risk of child protection services.

Emergency After Hours

This service will be available after every business day, weekend and holiday to children and families with the objective of stabilizing a crisis situation. The After Hours Worker will be available and assist the family at the onset of a child protection investigation, apprehension and placement. In the instance an apprehension occurs the worker will align themselves with the implementation of the agency’s Foster Care Program. The After Hours Worker will ensure that the children’s immediate needs are met —physically and emotionally.