Child and family services

Answer: Historically, child and family services models have been reactive and focused on statutory and out-of-home care after crises occur. However, it is well-established that children and youth are better supported when they are engaged with their families and communities. This results in a pressing need to shift towards a proactive, prevention-based approach that focuses on supporting families before issues escalate, and ensuring families can thrive together.

Example: The Government of Ontario demonstrates this shift with their Child Welfare Redesign Strategy.¹ Through this strategy, Ontario has introduced amendments to the Child, Youth and Family Service Act² to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in care of children’s aid societies and have launched two new Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) Units³ in Toronto and Durham.

Answer: Preventative child and family services are programs and initiatives designed to support families before an issue escalates into a crisis and requires intervention. This can include getting families involved in parenting support programs, building family support networks, and identifying the underlying causes to an issue (e.g., poverty, unemployment, parenting support needs) and addressing it, rather than resorting to intrusive services. 

Example: In Alberta, Provincial Family Resource Networks⁴ provide support and services to help families become resilient, strong, and healthy. These networks are designed to offer community-based support through centers that provide parenting groups, in-home parenting education, and family support for expectant parents and those with newborns to children up to six years of age. Additionally, they offer youth outreach and conduct childhood development screenings and assessments.

Answer: Transitioning to a prevention-focused model in child and family services can present several expected and unexpected challenges that organizations must navigate effectively. These challenges include resistance to change, the complexities of integrating new systems, and providing staff with adequate training and resources.

A significant challenge is addressing funding barriers. Child and family services have experienced mixed success in reallocating resources towards prevention and early intervention, often still focusing on reactive interventions. Many jurisdictions continue to concentrate funding and services on investigation and placement support, however, there is a growing desire to shift focus towards prevention. 

Now more than ever, research indicates that preventative models are not only significantly less costly but also generate substantial positive systemic impacts for children, youth, and families, whole simultaneously enhancing the financial outcomes for public and private sector and reducing overall social costs.

Example: Georgia (US) implemented a State of Hope initiative in an effort to bring together non-profits, government, business, and community and build support systems that prevent conditions that threaten the safety and well-being of children and families.⁵ Floyd County in Georgia brought together community partners to develop a public and private partnership that could address the foster care crisis – Restoration Rome. Through trauma-informed care, children and families are provided activities and opportunities within the community to strengthen and preserve the family unit. Projected fiscal year savings through the reduction of the number of children in care, or children placed out of county are anticipated to be a $150,000 return on investment equaling $625,000 year 1, serving 30 families.⁶

Answer: Yes, a prevention-focused model can be designed to be culturally responsive and support the unique needs of Indigenous Peoples and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through community engagement, it is possible to tailor services to be designed and implemented in a manner that best meets the needs of the community being served.

Example: The First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) model is designed to provide culturally relevant services to First Nations children and families. Under this model, the Cree Nation Child and Family Caring Agency in Manitoba⁷ focuses on providing culturally appropriate services that respect Cree traditions and values and developing vibrant communities for the well-being of children and families. They work to ensure that children remain within their families and communities, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and community involvement in decision-making processes.

Similarly, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) has developed a comprehensive anti-racism training program aimed at child welfare agencies and foster caregivers to support equitable outcomes for Black children and youth across Ontario.⁸ This initiative is part of a broader effort to address systemic racism within the child welfare system and improve service delivery for racialized families.

Answer: Governments across Canada are taking significant steps to enable Indigenous Peoples to reclaim ownership of their child and family services. This movement is rooted in the recognition of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples and the need for culturally appropriate and community-driven solutions. The Federal legislation An Act Respective First Nations, Inuit, and Métisix⁹ children, youth, and families, which came into effect in 2020, is empowering Indigenous governing Bodies to draw down their own legislation. As a result, Indigenous Governing Bodies across Canada are at various stages in declaring their intent, drafting legislation, and building programs to support their children, youth, and families, and are working alongside provincial governments to return children to their communities of origin.

Example: First Nation leaders and the Government of Canada agreed to a proposed reform of child and family services which will serve to put First Nations in the driver’s seat in delivering services to their communities, with increased funding for prevention services.¹⁰ This decision follows the Federal Government’s introduction of the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families which came into effect in 2020 and represents a landmark legislation that recognizes the rights of Indigenous.¹¹ At the provincial level, British Colombia signed a landmark agreement with the province’s largest First Nation tribe to retake control over the delivery of child welfare and family services.¹²