Yellowknife — October 3, 2023
Minister of Health and Social Services, Julie Green, released the Child, Youth and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan 2023-2028 today. The Strategic Direction and Action Plan will play an important role in guiding efforts of the Department and Health and Social Services Authorities to keep families together and provide support to children and youth
Central to the Strategic Direction is seven priority areas that will guide the implementation of the Action Plan over the next five years to improve the overall safety and well being of children and youth. These areas encompass a diverse range of objectives, including fostering collaborative partnerships with Indigenous Governments and organizations, anchoring care in Indigenous practices, providing support to care providers and caregivers, strengthening supports for youth, especially as they transition to adulthood and ensuring specialized services are accessible closer to home. This plan also focuses on enhancing human resources recruitment and retention efforts to build an inclusive and representative workforce as well as reducing administrative demands to allow for better connections with families.
The Action Plan builds on the progress achieved through the Quality Improvement Plans (2019-2021 and 2022-2023), reaffirming the GNWT’s commitment to improve the Child and Family Services system. The GNWT recognizes that improvement is an ongoing process, not a one-time event, and staff will continue to work on advancing positive changes that will make a positive lasting impact on the lives of children, youth, and families in the NWT.
Quote(s)
“The longstanding overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in the Child and Family Services system in the NWT and across Canada is evidence we need to transform our service delivery. The Strategic Direction and Action Plan represents our commitment to building a system that keeps families together, while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and youth remain at the forefront. We are committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous governments and partners to bring meaningful change that addresses the needs of children, youth, and families in the NWT.”
- Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services
Quick facts
- The Strategic Direction identifies seven priority areas in its vision for CFS that will guide the implementation of a five-year Action Plan. The seven priority areas are:
- Work Collaboratively with Indigenous Governments and Organizations
- Care Rooted in Indigenous Practices
- Support to Care Providers and Caregivers
- Strengthen Youth Supports and Transition to Adulthood
- Specialized Services Closer to Home
- Strengthen Human Resources Recruitment and Retention Efforts for an Inclusive and Representative Workforce
- Reduce Administrative Demands for Increased Opportunities to Connect with Families
- The development of the Child, Youth and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan was informed by a variety of guiding documents, focused discussions, internal reviews, and key recommendations of the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Social Development.
- The Strategic Direction provides the foundation for outreach and engagement with Indigenous governments and other partners, to ensure that the CFS system meets the needs of children, youth, and families in the NWT.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Jeremy Bird
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034