CFNCS Society provides policy support to facilitate the work of First Nations Child and Family Service Agency Directors’ Forum in its discussions with both the provincial and federal governments. We have a Team that consists of a Manager, Policy Analysts, and a Policy Coordinator. The following includes a list of projects they have completed as well as projects that are in process:
Completed Projects:
Developed and distributed a policy Resource Manual for First Nations delegated child and family service Agencies
Conducted a policy needs survey of First Nations delegated Agencies
Prepared and distributed strategic briefing materials and updates on MCFD regionalization for Agency Directors
Organized and provided technical support for meetings of the Directors Forum and its subcommittees (including agendas, minutes, and associated correspondence)
Updated and streamlined proposal for a First Nations Director, and prepared associated briefing material
A survey of Directors on ‘best practice’ to help direct the discussions at the Tripartite Table.
Prepared draft Memorandum of Understanding with the First Nations Summit on behalf of Directors Forum
Provided technical support to Directors Forum representative at meetings of the Joint Aboriginal Management Committee
Ensured timely sharing of information with Agency Directors regarding changes to government decisions on policy, funding and governance
Developed a Discussion paper on Kinship Care and the recent legislative enactment of Section 54.1 of the CFCSA
Conducted a survey regarding section 8 – Agreements with child’s kin and other
Developed a Research Resource binder on Kinship Care and Custom Adoption
Delivery of one-day training workshop on protocol development to First Nations Child and Family Service Agencies.
Revision of the Aboriginal Operational Practice Standards and Indicators.
Discussion paper for Directors financial resources portfolio regarding Agency savings
Preliminary analysis of per diems and other financial issues associated with file transfers from MCFD to agencies
Correspondence for Directors Forum on National Policy Review implementation, and on provincial funding matters
A policy framework that reflects the position of Agency directors in the B.C. Tripartite Table (following up on recommendations of the National Policy Review) – to attempt to influence funding and policy decisions on INAC regarding ‘maintenance’ and operations
Correspondence for Directors Forum regarding the Chiefs Committee on Child Welfare
Discussion paper for Directors Forum on off-reserve services · Participation in and documentation of a meeting with all Chiefs regarding federal and provincial government changes that affect child and family services
Inter-agency protocol under development
Reviewed the Adoption Act and formulated a discussion paper in regard to Custom Adoptions
Presenter at the Indigenous Child Welfare Research Network Conference
Participated in the Second Canadian Roundtable on Child Welfare Outcomes
In Process:
The Aboriginal Operation and Practice Standards and Indicators Redesign Project ("Starting from a Traditional Place”)
Updating of the CFNCS web page
Updating of the First Nations Directors Forum web page
Research on options for policy training workshops
Review of CFCSA legislative changes and resulting policies as they relates to First Nations Child and Family Service Agencies
Ongoing technical support for BC Tripartite Table, including agendas, minutes, protocol development, and discussion papers
Planning and follow-up to quarterly Directors Forum and Partnership meetings
Providing ongoing technical support through working groups and committees of emerging child welfare policy
Participating in initiatives such as the First Nations Canadian Incidence Study
Working in partnership with other like minded organizations
Ongoing research on child welfare and the creation of a resource library
