Child and Family Prevention Services
Child and Family Prevention Services
She:kon, Katsisaraken Colleen Mendes, Child & Family Services Coordinator, Wahta Mohawks Band Representative
I am here to support Wahta Mohawk families on or off Territory. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am available for in home visits and in office visits.
Child & Family Services Prevention Services
The delivery of prevention services aims to support the safety and well-being of Wahta Mohawks children, youth and families in an approach that is culturally appropriate, in their best interests, and supportive.
Prevention services address identified risk factors and build protective factors within the family which mitigate the risk that could place children, youth, and families at risk of harm and are aimed at reducing the likelihood of children and youth being taken into care. Prevention is a continuum of care that is based on the needs of the child and interventions can be included at all stages of prevention.
Below is a list of some prevention services that Wahta currently has in place:
- ensure supports are in place that enable the family to thrive.
- group interventions or supports
- home visit programs for parents
- parent mentoring
- parenting skills programs
- family counselling, guidance, and assessment
- addictions treatment for parents
- prevent separating a child or young person from their family and community, wherever possible
domestic violence interventions - immediate crisis interventions
- community outreach and awareness campaigns on child maltreatment, children’s rights and prevention
- how and where to report suspected child maltreatment.
If you have any questions or require clarification, please reach out.
Katsisaraken Colleen Mendes,
Office: 705-762-2354 ext. 205
Cell: 705-644-4664
colleen.mendes@wahtamohawks.ca
First Nations Band Representative
A First Nation Band Representative is First Nation defined and may include engaging with Child & Family Services Agencies and participating in Child & Family Service matters as set out in the Provincial, Territorial and Federal Child & Family Services Laws.
First Nations Band Representatives work to represent and advocate for::
- Uphold and strengthen the rights of the First Nation with regards to Child & Family Agencies services
- Help ensure First Nations children, youth, and families can meaningfully exercise their rights under Provincial, Territorial, and Federal Child & Family Services laws
- Prioritize preventive care, including prenatal and postnatal preventative care
- Promote substantive equality for First Nations children, and youth
- Promote and support family unity
- Connect First Nations children, youth, and families with the lands, languages, culture, practices, customs, traditions, ceremonies, and knowledge of their community
First Nations Band Representatives duties include, but are not limited to:
- Serving as the main contact between a First Nation and families and Child & Family Service Agencies
- Exercising the rights and responsibilities of the First Nation for Provincial, Territorial, Federal Child & Family Service Laws
- Ensuring the Child & Family Service Agencies address the real needs of First Nations children, youth, and families, including needs tied to culture, land, and the effects of historical and contemporary disadvantage
- Building and maintain meaningful cultural, family, and community connections for First Nations children, youth, and families involved with the Child & Family Services System
- Facilitating the repatriation and/or reunification of children and youth in care with their family and First Nation
- Supporting the First Nations children, youth and families involved or at risk of involvement with Child & Family Services Agencies outside of their home community, including working across different regions and jurisdictions
- Supporting First Nations youth and young adults with post-majority support services
- Participating in Child & Family Services administrative and court proceedings
- Accessing legal resources to represent the First Nation’s interests in Child & Family Services administrative and court proceedings
- Receiving and responding to notices under Provincial, Territorial and Federal Child & Family Services laws
- Helping families access prevention supports
- Supporting Customary Care, Kinship Care and Alternative Care arrangements
- Providing or arranging for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) e.g., circle processes and Indigenous approaches
- Monitoring agreements with Child & Family Service Agencies pertaining to individual children, youth, and families
- Participating in the development and monitoring of Service Plans, Outcome Plans with Child & Family Services Agencies for example.
- Child, Youth, or Family Care Plans
- Safety Planning
- Permanency Planning
- After Care Plans
- Youth transition/post-majority care plans
- Advocacy
- Support with referrals
- In home family visits
- Assist with the navigation of obtaining services from providers to meet the needs of the family
- The holistic well-being of First Nations children, youth and families create the foundation for healthy First Nations Communities and future generations
- First Nations should be involved in the planning and provision of services to and decisions respecting their children, youth, and families, including by receiving notice in advance of a Child & Family Service Agency taking any significant measure in relation to a First Nations child or youth.
Katsisaraken Colleen Mendes,
Jordans Principle
Jordan’s Principle is meant to prevent First Nations children from being denied essential services or experiencing delays in receiving them.
- Informs families about the resources available for their child and how to access it.
- Coordinates access to products, services, and supports.
- Provides funding when it’s needed to make sure products, services, and supports are accessed.
- Jordan’s Principle Website
Eligibility for Jordan’s Principle:
A child under the age of 18 can access Jordan’s Principle, if they permanently reside in Canada and if the child meets one of the following criteria:
- Child is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
- Child has one parent or guardian who is registered/eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
- Child is recognized by their nation for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle.
- Child is ordinarily resident on reserve.
What’s covered under Jordan’s Principle?
Health:
- mobility aids
- wheelchair ramps
- addiction and mental health services
- services from Elders
- traditional healing services
- specialized hearing aids
- services for children in care
- assessments and screenings
- transportation to appointments
- medical supplies and equipment
- long term care for children with specialized needs
- therapeutic services for individuals or groups
Social:
- social worker
- land-based activities
- personal support worker
- specialized summer camps
- respite care
- specialized programs
Education:
- school supplies
- tutoring services
- teaching assistants
- specialized school transportation
- psycho-educational assessments
- assistive technologies and electronics
Katsisaraken Colleen Mendes