Child and Family Services  (CFS) is continuing to make steady progress in transforming the Child and Family Services system to better meet the needs of children and youth. This commitment to change is in keeping with the recommendations of the Auditor General of Canada and aligned with the new Federal legislation on child and family services. Enabling families to care for children and youth in their community is a priority.

To date, 39 action items in the Quality Improvement Plan have been completed, 30 are on track and 1 is on hold.  Of the 30 action items that are on track, 24 (80%) of these items are ongoing initiatives. While the core of the work has been completed, these initiatives are continuous and will be embedded in future CFS quality improvement and assurance processes.

Some examples of positive system improvements since December 2020 include:

• In March 2021 training began for Family Preservation Workers in each region, further strengthening prevention services for children, youth and families.
• Prevention Services are now available to expectant parent(s).  Offering services in the prenatal period mitigates the risk of family separation and may reduce the likelihood of future child protection involvement.
• Families and relatives are given priority in the selection of care providers – this leads to fewer children and youth having to live away from their home community and their extended family.

• As part of a three year funding initiative from 2019-2021, there will be  additional investments from April 1, 2021 for 16 additional positions in the Child and Family Services system. These positions will fill staffing need in the area of family preservation, foster care and supervisory support.
• Delivered  mandatory refresher training for all staff based on the key audit findings. Trainers covered twelve training topics between October and December 2020.
• The Department of Health and Social Services developed two new overarching Child and Family Services practice standards related to the Federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families to guide service delivery and ensure services are provided in a culturally-informed manner. Training on the Federal Act was completed in April 2021.
• As of April 2021, the Department and Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority has met with four Indigenous governments to discuss the Federal Act and the impact of implementation on the delivery of child and family services to their community members, as well as strengthening partnerships in the best interest of children.

The Quality Improvement Plan Progress Tracker reflects the latest updates. Visit:

Quality Improvement Plan (Child and Family Services)

Quote

“As we continue to transform the Child and Family Services System, the Quality Improvement Plan’s flexibility helps make sure that we are on the right path, adjusting approaches when needed, and considering all options for success. This work has enabled CFS staff to evolve their practice to align with the Federal Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families and ensure they focus on promoting connectedness to family, community and culture. The additional investments in 16 new positions will help meet this commitment.”

- Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• The Quality Improvement Plan acts on issues identified through internal audits, the 2018 Auditor General Report, Standing Committee on Government Operations and feedback from staff, Indigenous Governments, Foster Family Coalition of the NWT, and other stakeholders.
• The Quality Improvement Plan is a living document. The Department continuously assesses the system’s capacity to produce key deliverables, which allows for the ability to be flexible and to modify timelines.

• The Plan identifies four underlying strategic directions to improve the system and address priorities:
  • Culture of Quality: Embedding quality practice into our culture
  • Human Resource Planning: Making sure the right people are in the right places
  • Building Staff Capacity: Investing in our staff
  • Engagement: Drawing on the knowledge and experience of others.

Related links

• NWT Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan, 2018-2020
• Progress Tracker
• Quality Improvement Plan Webpage

For media requests, please contact:

Damien Healy

Manager of Communications

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

Damien_Healy@gov.nt.ca 

(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034