The Social Services department is currently moving forward on several key initiatives involving the Band Representative position. We have enclosed all the information in this package and the list below outlines what each initiative requires;

a.      Band Representative Central Listing

In our efforts to ensure consistent notification by Children’s Aid Societies to Anishinabek Nation Band Representatives when required by legislation, the Social Development department at the Union of Ontario Indians is building a central database.  This database will be made available to Child Welfare agencies when they come into contact with Anishinabek children through a central listing posted on the Social Services pages of the website. Another reason to create this central database is to ensure that new information about the Band Representative system becomes quickly distributed when it becomes available.  

There are a few ways in which you can help us complete the listing and keep it up to date, either find the mailed version of the form or scroll to the bottom of the page to find the e-version and email it back to peladr@anishinabek.ca.  

b.     Band Representative Costing Study

The struggle to get the Band Representative resourced again has been ongoing since the discontinuance of funding in 2003. The Social Services department has been adamant at any technical table involving Child Welfare matters that this position is imperative and needs to be resourced again.

There has been many research project done to indicate the importance of having an active Band Representative, and now Social Services wants to add a financial study to the actual costs involved. The purpose of the study being to better advocate at both the technical and political level.

Please see attached two documents; the Costing Study itself as well as a letter of information and consent. Our timelines are short and we hope to have this study completed as soon as possible, therefore we have again made available multiple ways to respond, either via paper and mail or online at the bottom of this page by SEPTEMBER 15^th, 2011. We need to have every Anishinabek Nation member respond to have a comprehensive picture to present. Please work with the responsible administration/finance manager in completing this form.

c.      Education

Our last initiative is still in development and is not complete, but we hope in partnership with the Anishinabek Educational Institute to offer a Child Welfare Advocate Graduate Certificate. This program will cover job specific training such as the history of Child Welfare in Ontario, First Nations family systems and legal processes in Family Court. Please stay updated by visiting our website or Facebook for updates (Anishinabek Nation Social Services). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Events

Please be patient as we continue to update our Social Services pages, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions for the content of the pages please contact me at laura.mayer@anishinabek.ca.

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