GOVERNMENT MOVING FORWARD ON CHILD WELFARE TRANSFORMATION

As recommended by the Saskatchewan Child Welfare Review Panel, the Government of Saskatchewan is embarking on discussions with key stakeholders regarding a review of the province's child welfare legislation.

"Our Child Welfare Transformation Strategy is guiding our efforts to change the child welfare system based on the themes of working differently, prevention and renewal," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "Reviewing and updating our legislation is an important step in renewing our system, and we are moving forward with our partners to begin this critical work."

The legislation to be discussed includes The Child and Family Services Act (1989), Child and Family Services Regulations (1990), Adoption Act (1998) and Adoption Regulations (2003). Any revisions to the legislation will take into account changes in society as well as in child welfare practices that have occurred since the legislation was last amended.

"Carefully examining the current legislation is one of several key steps required to successfully transform the child welfare system in our province," Children's Advocate and former Chair of the 2010 Child Welfare Review Panel Bob Pringle said. "My office has encouraged the Ministry of Social Services to begin this process and we welcome the opportunity to participate with government and community stakeholders to foster creative solutions and better outcomes for children, youth and their families."

Throughout April and May, the Ministry of Social Services will hold initial discussions with its partners, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, and key stakeholders including First Nation Child and Family Service Agencies, Métis Family and Community Justice Services, Saskatchewan Children's Advocate, Saskatchewan Ombudsman, Saskatchewan Foster Families Association, Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network, Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers and Social Services staff. The purpose of these early meetings will be to review the Child Welfare Review Panel's recommendations in the context of legislative renewal and determine the potential scope of the legislative recommendations. Following these meetings, broader consultations will be held regarding changes to the legislation.

In December 2010, the Saskatchewan Child Welfare Review Panel presented their final report to the province. The report contains 12 recommendations for fundamental change to the child welfare system and the systems that support children, youth and families. In response, government formed the Cabinet Committee on Children and Youth and launched the Saskatchewan Children and Youth Agenda to provide a co-ordinated, cross-government approach to the complex issues facing children, youth and families.

Progress to date includes:

• Changes in child welfare service delivery, including a risk assessment model pilot project, a new approach to home assessments for First Nation children, the launch of a treatment foster care pilot program and new intensive family support programs;
• Forty new pre-kindergarten programs in 23 communities and increased participation by First Nation and Métis people in apprenticeship programs; 
• Increases in direct client service hours for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder of up to 750 per cent across health regions; and
• Through the Community Mobilization Prince Albert initiative, a reduction in crime and violence levels, emergency room admissions, prosecution files, and child and family protective files.

"Although relatively new, the Saskatchewan Children and Youth Agenda is already having an impact on at-risk children, youth and families," Draude said. "Our $34 million investment last March is paying off in better supports for some of our society's most vulnerable people, and that is indeed a success."

-30-

For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479