La manera de entender el Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos del Buck Institute for Education

The Children and Family Services Branch provides a range of support services for children and vulnerable adults who may require protection or other specialized support. Services are provided in six key areas: child protection, adoption, guardianship, adult support, residential care, and family violence services. In addition to advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups across Nunavut, the Division assists individuals, families, groups, and communities to develop skills and utilize both personal and community resources to enhance their well-being. The Division also plays an important role in program development and the provision of standards for program delivery.

Objectives

• To provide overall leadership and program support across the territory.

• To fulfill the legislative responsibilities inherent in the following statutes: Child and Family Services Act, Adoption Act, Aboriginal Custom Adoption and Recognition Act and the Guardianship and Trusteeship Act.

• To provide emergency intervention to address domestic and family violence.

• To protect the rights of children, youth, families, and vulnerable individuals.

• To advocate for the interests of vulnerable members across Nunavut society.

Programs Budget ($000) 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Divisional Headquarters 1,127 989 989 989

Children and Family Services Headquarters is responsible for interpreting legislation and policy, identifying program gaps, recommending and drafting policy and legislative changes through consultation with other GN departments. It also ensures territorial participation in all programs and services being developed at the national level, and provides training and communications materials for both staff and the general public.

Child Protection Services 10,053 10,053 10,053 10,053

Child Protection Services ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth by providing essential services. This may include investigations, interventions and residential services that are provided by child protection workers under the Child and Family Services Act.

Adoption Services 466 466 466 466

Under the Adoptions Act and the Aboriginal Custom Adoption Recognition Act, Children and Family Services is responsible for departmental, custom, private, and international adoptions in the territory.

Guardianship Services 1,456 1,456 1,456 1,456

Under the Guardianship and Trusteeship Act, the Office of the Public Guardian reviews all guardianship applications and documents before they are presented to the Nunavut Court of Justice. The Public Guardian can also be appointed by the Nunavut Court of Justice to represent a person who has no family members or friends who are willing, suitable, or able to act as guardians.

Adult Support Services 2,411 3,143 3,143 3,143

Adult Support Services provides a range of counseling and support services to eligible adults with disabilities.

Family Violence Services 3,846 3,846 3,796 3,796 Social workers provide family violence intervention services. This may include individual and group counseling and referral to other services and transportation to a safe location.

Residential Care (Facility Based) 27,908 29,957 29,957 29,957

Residential care is provided both within and outside of Nunavut for those individuals who demonstrate a need for specialized residential care.

Social Advocacy 400 420 420 420

This program provides Grants and Contributions that support initiatives for persons with disabilities and women.

Total, Child and Family Services 47,667 50,330 50,280 50,280

Priorities (2012-13)

• Proceed through the legislative process and consider revisions to the Child and Family Services Act.

Status: Proposed amendments are proceeding through the legislative process. It is expected that the amended Child and Family Services Act will be introduced during the winter 2013 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

• Develop and implement an electronic case management system for social services. Status: The business rules are being finalized in preparation for systems development and drafting of an implementation plan. The department will explore sources of funding for the new system in 2013-2014.

• Implement the Social Services Transformation Plan, which will involve broad policy and program changes.

Status: A detailed analysis of the Plan has been completed. Any proposed changes will be considered in 2013-2014.

• Implement the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Strategy.

Status: A draft strategy has been developed. The department will finalize the draft in collaboration with all partners and stakeholders in 2013-2014.

• Complete the review of government social safety net programs and implement structural and policy changes to support self-reliance.

Status: The Social Safety Net Report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly during the summer 2012 sitting.

• Complete the legislation development process for an independent Child and Youth Representative and assist with the establishment of the position, in accordance with the legislation.

Status: The draft Representative for Children and Youth Act is proceeding through the legislative process. The draft Bill is being considered by the Legislative Assembly.

• Contribute to government initiatives to ensure that voices of those individuals or groups that experience social exclusion are represented during the development of socially relevant projects, programs and policies by GN departments.

Status: The division maintained an active presence on a wide range of interdepartmental initiatives and working groups.

• Continue to work with and support the Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society and begin to work with GN departments to develop a more coordinated government approach to addressing disability issues in Nunavut.

Status: The division administers the Government of Nunavut’s annual Contribution Agreement with the Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society.

• Continue to work with and support the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council to identify and address women’s issues in Nunavut and explore ways to ensure gender considerations are reflected in policy development.

Status: The division administers the Government of Nunavut’s annual Contribution Agreement with the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.

• Take steps to gain a better understanding of issues that impact Nunavut’s male population and collect information related to current programming and best practice. Status: The division continues to review and explore the different programs, services and initiatives that specifically target the men and boys population in Nunavut to identify best practices.

Priorities (2013-14)

• Ensure that appropriate regulations are prepared for any revisions to the Child and Family Services Act.

• Review the implementation of the Social Services Transformation Plan and make any necessary adjustments as required.

• Explore sources of funding to implement an electronic case management system for child and family services.

• Implement the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Strategy in collaboration with partners.