2024–2025 Services delivered: Indigenous child, youth and family well-being

Component: Indigenous child, youth and family community-based well-being

Legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA)

Service objectives

To provide funding to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and service providers to support a coordinated system of community-based prevention programs and services that are community designed and delivered to best meet the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth where they live.

Service description

Funding a suite of community-led, prevention-focused supports to improve the overall health and well-being of communities. Services provided support the delivery of culturally grounded, holistic and prevention-focused programs and services for Indigenous children, youth and families.

People served

Services provided support the delivery of culturally grounded, holistic and prevention-focused programs and services for Indigenous children, youth and families across the province.

Program/service features

Specific funding programs may include

Family Well-Being Program:
The long-term objectives of the program are to:

• End violence against Indigenous women
• Reduce the number of Indigenous children in child welfare and the youth justice systems; and improve the overall health and well-being of Indigenous communities

Improve the overall health and well-being of Indigenous communities Indigenous Systems Planning:

• To support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, nations and/or representatives who are pursuing the design, development, and/or implementation of their own systems and/or models of child and family services systems
• To support and enhance coordinated, community-based service delivery and/or partner-led program design and delivery to improve outcomes for Indigenous children, youth, families and communities

First Nations Students Nutrition Program: To provide food to support learning and healthy child and youth development

Indigenous Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Child Nutrition: To support Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder awareness and interventions, and promote nutrition and wellness for Indigenous children, youth, families and communities

Integrated Rehabilitation for Northern, Remote First Nations Communities: The program supports the coordination, delivery and integration of services, including rehabilitation and special needs services, for children and youth living in northern remote First Nations communities

Akwe:go and Wasa-Nabin Urban Indigenous Children and Youth Programs: These programs by the OFIFC address the mental, physical and emotional health and wellness of Indigenous children and youth in urban communities in a culturally relevant and holistic manner

Prevention-Focused Customary Care: 

The objectives of the funding are to

• Increase access to prevention-focused customary care arrangements
• Reduce the number of Indigenous children in the child welfare system; and
• Improve the overall health and well-being of Indigenous communities
   

Community planning and goal setting

First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous organizations are best positioned to understand the unique cultural needs, geographic considerations, socioeconomic realities and effective service delivery practices for their communities. As such, partners design and deliver programs and services in line with community-determined needs and outcomes.

Reporting requirements

The following service data will be reported through Interim and Final Reports. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.