Service Delivery Update to Community Partners
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, KGCFS implemented a Work from Home Plan with office closure to the public on March 16, 2020. KGCFS at this time is delivering all Child Welfare services with exception of coordination of direct (face-to-face) Elder supports with offices being closed physically to the public. This communication serves to notify community stakeholders that KGCFS will continue to maintain office closure to the public until further review in mid-January 2021. KGCFS remains committed as an employer in doing our part to take precautions to protect the health of the workforce and support measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This will allow KGCFS to continue to ensure social/physical distancing while employees are provided flexible scheduling to work from home or office as determined. Reducing the number of employees working in office at one time is one precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Family Access rooms at the Sudbury office are re-opening whereby there is no alternative location for family access, with a new guideline outlining COVID-19 precautionary measures to ensure employee and family safety. Our goal is to resume face-to-face family contact in a way that is safe, meaningful and follows current public health directives. As the situation during the pandemic can change quickly regarding public health regulations and First Nation response; planning needs to be revisited regularly.
KGCFS remains committed to the priority of the health and safety of our children, families, employees, and stakeholders with heightened precautionary measures during this time considering the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and forecasted “second wave.” KGCFS will continue to adhere to Public Health recommendations and directives to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19. KGCFS remains committed as an employer in doing our part to take precautions to protect the health of the workforce and support measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic was declared, KGCFS has developed new health and safety policies, implemented office COVID-19 assessments to ensure physical distancing requirements of two (2) metres /six (6) feet within the office settings, and developed a safe operating protocol. KGCFS has also implemented client screening and provided education and training relative to hand hygiene, personal protection equipment (PPE), and other public health precautionary measures. Furthermore, KGCFS has contracted enhanced sanitation of all KGCFS offices as there are employees and families served accessing the offices as required.
Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services translates into “All of us, we are one,” and is driven by our commitment to delivering positive support to children and families through client-focused service delivery processes. KGCFS is committed to fostering strong families through its delivery by inclusion of First Nations cultural practices. KGCFS has three office locations (Wiikwemikoong, M’Chigeeng and Sudbury, ON) to service seven member First Nations and other First Nations within the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. Please visit us at www.kgcfs.org.