The event was attended by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, together with the Honourable Doug Currie, Minister of Social Services and Seniors for Prince Edward Island, and Chief Brian Francis of the Abegweit First Nation and Co-Chair off the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI).

"Today's announcement demonstrates the positive and growing working relationship we have with PEI," said Minister Shea. "Children represent the future of First Nation communities in PEI -- and today's announcement demonstrates our shared commitment to improving conditions for First Nations children and youth. With this announcement, half the provinces have now reached historic tripartite frameworks for CFS with our government."

The Framework with PEI and First Nations in PEI will provide $1.7 million over five years to implement an Enhanced Prevention-Focused Approach to First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) on reserves in PEI.

“This agreement represents our commitment to work together to protect children and support families in a more culturally-appropriate way, with a greater focus on prevention,” said Minister Currie. “By better coordinating the child and family services that are available on-reserve, First Nations families will receive ongoing support before they reach a crisis.”

The announcement of the tripartite framework in this province, following tripartite frameworks in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and yesterday in Quebec, means that the new prevention model is now being implemented in First Nations communities in five provinces, covering nearly half of First Nations children.

“Over the past two years, the staff of MCPEI PRIDE Program through Director Marilyn Lefrank worked tirelessly to help develop a program to provide support and outreach services to families and children in our communities,” said Chief Brian Francis. “Today’s announcement is the culmination of those efforts. Securing a long term funding framework will allow us to continue to foster strong, healthy children and families.”

In 2007, INAC renovated its approach to Child and Family Services by introducing an Enhanced Prevention-Focused Approach that will ensure that more First Nations children and parents get the help they need to prevent the types of crises that lead to intervention and family breakdown.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provides funds for the implementation of the New Enhanced Prevention-Focused Approach to First Nations Child and Family Services.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the fact that First Nations are participating in Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said Minister Strahl. Under Canada's Economic Action Plan $20 million over two years was provided to implement concrete changes in Child and Family Services on reserves.

BACKGROUNDER

First Nations Child and Family Services (National)

The core objective of INACs First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) program is to ensure the safety and well-being of First Nations children on reserve by supporting culturally appropriate prevention and protection services for First Nations children and families. This is done in accordance with legislation and standards of the province or territory to create a more secure and stable family environment for children on reserve where the child resides.

Historically, there has been no federal child welfare legislation as Child and Family Services are regulated by provincial legislation. The Government of Canada, through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), formed agreements with many provincial governments to support the delivery of child and family services on-reserve. Under the agreements, INAC reimbursed the provinces for services which were provided. In more recent years, First Nation Child and Family Services agencies have emerged in many communities operating under provincial legislation but funded by INAC.

In 2007, INAC renovated its approach to Child and Family Services by introducing an Enhanced Prevention-Focused Approach that will ensure that more First Nations children and parents get the help they need to prevent the types of crises that lead to intervention and family breakdown.

First Nation Child and Family Services agencies in Alberta entered into a partnership with INAC and the provincial government in 2007. In July 2008, partnerships were also reached with Child and Family Services agencies in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. In August 2009, two other provinces, Quebec and PEI entered into partnerships.

Prince Edward Island First Nations Child and Family Services

Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, First Nations Child and Family Services agencies in PEI will receive approximately $1.7 million over five years in new funding, in addition to already existing CFS program funding. First Nations, in collaboration with INAC and the province, will develop individual business plans to access the new funding.

On behalf of the Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations, the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island, in collaboration with the Minister of Child and Family Services, administers child welfare services to PEI First Nations living on-reserve.

The Framework with PEI and First Nations in PEI will provide $1.7 million in new investments over five years. There were 13 First Nations children in care (out of the parental home) as of March 31, 2008, which represented 6.1% of First Nations children on-reserve. Total INAC expenditure for that fiscal year was $1.1 million.

The enhanced prevention-focused approach will support:

• Families getting the support and services they need before they reach a crisis;

• Community-based services and the child welfare system working together so families receive more appropriate services in a timely manner;

• First Nations children in care benefiting from permanent homes (placements) sooner by, for example, involving families in planning alternative care options; and

• Coordinated services and supports that best help the family.