Kina Gbezhgomi plans transition to full children’s protection mandate within 12 months
WIKWEMIKONG—For more than 20 years, the Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin (CASDSM) and Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services (KGCFS) have worked closely together to deliver child protection services to the First Nation communities that they both serve.
“Our organizations are currently implementing a six- to 12-month plan that will transition First Nations child protection services from the CASDSM to KGCFS, with KGCFS scheduled to receive designation as a child protection agency following a final review by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services,” Denise Morrow. KGCFS executive director, said in a press release. “The plan is implemented in phases and engages our respective employees, community partners and the families we work with throughout the process to ensure the successful transition of First Nations child protection services from CASDSM to KGCFS.
It is important to note that KGCFS’ designation as a child protection agency will not end the long-time relationship between CASDSM and KGCFS in the region. Instead, the KGCFS and CASDSM will continue their historical partnership as sister agencies. However, designation will result in KGCFS servicing more First Nations families in the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin than in the past; and as such, KGCFS will grow its team to meet the needs of the new families that it will be working with, the press release continues.
Throughout the transition, colleagues at KGCFS and CASDSM will work closely together on all existing case files to ensure a seamless transition of First Nations child protection services to KGCFS.
“To the families impacted by the transition and our community partners, we want to emphasize that the designation of KGCFS as an agency is a significant gain for First Nations children and their families,” Ms. Morrow states. “Designation of KGCFS will ensure the agency’s vision that KGCFS will honour and support our family’s and community’s inherent authority to care for their children based on unity, traditions, values, beliefs and customs. The basis for this will be the wider implementation of a community-based model for prevention and protection services, one that incorporates cultural traditions and the practices under First Nations’ leadership.”
“The founding objective of KGCFS has always been to ensure First Nations children are protected and stay connected with their culture, language and community while strengthening family and community relationships,” Ms. Morrow continued. “Designation has been a goal that KGCFS has pursued since its inception more than 20 years ago and the process of transitioning KGCFS to agency status is a realization of this goal. Through our efforts to fully realize this goal and ensure a successful transition, CASDSM and KGCFS are working closely with the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and our community partners, including First Nations leadership, the families impacted, and first response groups. The children impacted by the transition are, as always, our first priority. As such, KGCFS and CASDSM will continue to keep the best interests of the children and families that we work with at the forefront of our efforts to achieve a smooth transition.”
It is important to note, however, that not all families will be transitioned to KGCFS. It will only be those that are recognized and identified members of the seven First Nations served by KGCFS initially followed by a second phase of all other First Nations. CASDSM will continue to provide child protection services to Metis and Inuit families.
“We encourage all families that have a history with CASDSM and KGCFS to reach out to their case workers for more information as to how the transition might affect them,” Ms. Morrow said. “KGCFS and CASDSM are committed to supporting our community partners in their efforts to ensure that every child serviced within the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin receives the services they need throughout the transition to the community-based model. The services provided by first response teams (police, hospitals, violence against women services, school boards, healthy babies/healthy children services), in particular, will be impacted. KGCFS is currently negotiating new protocols with all first response groups and more information regarding new protocols and the timeline for implementation will be distributed as soon as possible.”
“During the transition,” she continued, “first response groups can contact either KGCFS or CASDSM. Children remain our first priority for KGCFS and CASDSM. Services will overlap and be redirected as needed to ensure that all children receive the help they need, when they need it, during the transition. KGCFS and CASDSM are committed to keeping our stakeholders up-to-date on the transition and will continue to provide information as it becomes available.”
