Contact InformationBox 10, Mont Nebo, SK, S0J 1X0
Phone: 306-468-2520 Fax: 306-468-2524 On Call Emergency: 306-468-4680 Toll Free: 1-888-745-0470 Director of ACFS: Anita Ahenakew Child Protection Supervisor: Lisa Greyeyes Child Protection Worker: Cheryl Sanderson |
BusineSs Focus
ACFS priority for the upcoming year is to maintain the unity of families of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. To work collaboratively with the essential services within the community in order to implement programming based on community needs to ensure that the families are provided with the support services to establish a supportive preventative program. ACFS has contracted a consultant to do a Community Needs Assessment to determine and address the needs or gaps between the current state and the desired state. The benefits of the Community Needs Assessment allows for community input and an increased understanding of why the needs exist and why they need to be addressed. The needs assessment engages all Community members to work collaboratively to improve the quality of life and help identify priorities. The Prevention Program provides healing initiatives in a concerted effort to establish effective support programs that will promote family cohesiveness.
The Prevention Program has been more proactive by way of reimbursements to different departments that work with youth. This ensures that there are more activities and manpower to assist in meeting our strategic plan of healthy families, children and youth. ACFS will work diligently with Leadership to achieve self-determination and build on the sustainability of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation by way of promoting healthy, strong, prosperous families. ACFS will continue to implement least intrusive measures in assessing the safety of children and prevent the continued perpetuation of the historical disadvantages of First Nations. ACFS will ensure that family, cultural and linguistic connections for children, youth and family are upheld as this is what the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is based on.
The ACFS mandate is the protection and safety of the children of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and this supersedes any on-going support services and programs if the safety of children is compromised.
The Prevention Program has been more proactive by way of reimbursements to different departments that work with youth. This ensures that there are more activities and manpower to assist in meeting our strategic plan of healthy families, children and youth. ACFS will work diligently with Leadership to achieve self-determination and build on the sustainability of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation by way of promoting healthy, strong, prosperous families. ACFS will continue to implement least intrusive measures in assessing the safety of children and prevent the continued perpetuation of the historical disadvantages of First Nations. ACFS will ensure that family, cultural and linguistic connections for children, youth and family are upheld as this is what the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is based on.
The ACFS mandate is the protection and safety of the children of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and this supersedes any on-going support services and programs if the safety of children is compromised.
2018-2019 Results
- Community partnerships and engagement: ACFS continues to provide activities throughout the year as part of community participation and to promote wellness. Some of these activities have included the: Family Festival, Natural Parents Camp, Care-giver’s Retreat, Empowering our Women, Traditional Parenting, and six week Life Skills Workshops. ACFS also works collaboratively with Ahtahkakoop’s various departments through inter-Agency meetings to provide a coordinated effort for all programs provided throughout the year.
- Human Resources: ACFS has hired more staff to ensure that there are support programs and integrated service delivery by hiring qualified staff to address the needs of the community. ACFS will continually hire staff as the need arises to meet the needs of the community by offering a full complement of child welfare services. ACFS continues to provide quality assurance in service delivery in all aspects of child welfare and support services to the community by ensuring relevant and up-to-date training for staff.
- Foster Parenting Program: ACFS continues to deliver training for foster parents with the PRIDE and CORE modules as well as the Cultural Curriculum. Caregivers will be trained with the new digital “Caring for Aboriginal Children” module as needed. ACFS strives to ensure that our children are placed within their family system wherever possible or with band members. Caregivers are required to take culturally relevant training and are well equipped and supported to look after the needs of the children of Ahtahkakoop.
- ACFS has acquired the services of Red Mane for the implementation of a new user friendly database system. The new database system will enable the Agency to have access to accurate data and to ensure better service deliver and relevant support programs and services.
Objectives
- ACFS will ensure the mandate is upheld to keep children, youth and families safe and protected.
- ACFS will provide a coordinated enhanced preventative service to on-reserve children and families.
- ACFS will continue to strive for excellence in the Human Resources department by continuing to train in order to enhance the skills and professional abilities of staff. We will be implementing a new Human Resources Manual specific to ACFS.
- ACFS will promote community partnerships that will engage community participation and engagement along with various departments, which will include activities/events/workshops that are deemed essential throughout the year.
- ACFS will continue to provide timely, transparent and accountable program reports and financial reports while working towards accreditation.
- ACFS has established a database, IT system to enable tracking and performance measures related to client specific activities.
- ACFS will facilitate continuous improvement in financial sustainability and expenditures to ascertain that funds are expended for the purpose intended.
- ACFS will continue to increase and promote Cultural practices and programming for all clientele and community members in Ahtahkakoop.
- ACFS has updated policies; specific to ACFS. These include Human Resources, Financial Management, Occupational Health and Safety, and are currently working towards implementation and approval, with accreditation being the overall goal.
- Expansion of the ACFS building will include six offices and a training centre to better accommodate the growth of the community.
- Development of an emergency receiving home and family wellness centre (long term).