The development of Practice Standards governing Delegated Agency practice that are shaped by Indigenous ways of knowing and doing while meeting legislative requirements.
Purpose:
To redesign the practice standards governing BC First Nations, Aboriginal and Métis delegated agency practice under the existing Aboriginal Operational Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI)and to implement a new model developed from an Indigenous worldview and accountable to the First Nations Director of Child Welfare. This will be accomplished through a cooperative and consultative/information sharing approach between First Nations delegated agencies, urban Aboriginal delegated agencies and Métis delegated agencies, the Province of British Columbia and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
Background:
The AOPSI practice standards are the foundation for providing child and family service, and represent the minimum expectations of performance for delegated agencies in the Province. These standards emphasize the importance placed upon family and community within Aboriginal cultures and are not identical to the practice standards of the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The AOPSI standards, however, do ensure that each MCFD standard is reflected either as a standard or an indicator. The AOPSI practice standards must meet or exceed those established by MCFD. Arguably, the current standards represent a novel application and adaption of MCFD standards rather than an innovative practice founded on an Indigenous world view.
The Opportunity:
The following Charter has been developed through the cooperative efforts of the Caring For First Nations Children Society (CFNCS) , First Nations, Aboriginal and Métis Child and Family Service Agency Executive Directors (Agency) , MCFD and INAC. This Initiative is designed to capitalize on a window of opportunity resulting from a transformative environment that is open to innovative approaches developed in collaboration with First Nations, Aboriginal and Métis groups. The project is being designed in such a way as to meet legislative requirements while delivering services in a manner congruent with traditional Indigenous ways of caring with the goal of improving outcomes for First Nations, Aboriginal and Métis children, families and communities.
This initiative will involve the delegated Agencies, MCFD and INAC developing:
· A Practice Standards Redesign Steering Committee (PSRSC) responsible for overseeing the redesign ';
· A working group responsible for the project's implementation;
· A funding arrangement for the development and implementation of the standards with government;
· An administrative and secretariat support through the CFNCS;
· A work plan for the redesign of the standards developed in coordination with the Working Group;
· A mechanism to work with the newly created First Nations Director of Child Welfare;
· A research component to include the engagement of Indigenous scholars and other First Nations, Aboriginal and Métis partners;
· An enhanced agency consultation/information sharing process; and
