COMING TOGETHER WITH FIRST NATIONS CFS AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING. Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community institute

Transcription

1 COMING TOGETHER WITH FIRST NATIONS CFS AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community institute

2 Who Are Your Presenters? Rachel Melymick, BSW. BA SDM Consultant with SFNFCI since September Works with Montreal Lake CFS, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Wahkotowin CFS, Qu appelle Beardy s Okemasis and Wahpeaton CFS, Nechapanuk CFS agencies in Saskatchewan Laura Hicks, BSW, RSW. SDM Consultant with SFNCFI since December Works with Agency Chiefs CFS, Ahtahkakoop CFS, Battlefords Tribal Council, Kanaweyimik CFS, Athabasca, and Onion Lake CFS agencies in Saskatchewan

3 SFNFCI SASKATCHEWAN FIRST NATIONS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTE INC. Vision: Be the leading, innovative, sustainable, holistic center of research and professional learning to organizations serving children, youth and families." Mission: Our mission is to build capacity within organizations serving children, youth and families based on First Nations values. Three (3) Core Business Areas: 1. Research, Policy & Standards 2. Training and Professional Development 3. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

4 Respect Love SFNFCI values Bravery Wisdom Humility Honesty Truth

5 SDM Tools 1) SDM Intake 2) SDM Safety 3) SDM Risk 4) SDM Family Strengths and Needs Assessment 5) SDM Risk Re-assessment 6) SDM Reunification

6 The Beginning In 2011/2012 Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services implemented SDM throughout their CFS offices, as part of the greater Child Welfare Transformation. In 2013 SFNFCI approached all FN CFS agencies to discuss their readiness for SDM implementation through a survey. The results indicated that additional people will need to be hired to support the agencies to implement SDM, along with additional items of support.

7 SDM support identified: The Development information sessions on-site agency workshops on-site training ongoing support for agencies using the tools evaluation support First SDM consultant hired with SFNFCI in December 2013.

8 Process Development Build relationships and establish trust and safety Identified strategic partners MSS FNMS unit, MSS PTT, and the CRC Began contacting individual agencies for readiness Started working with two FN CFS agencies, with the PTT, as a pilot Increasing Demand development of an implementation strategy based on level of support Five agencies implemented and supported over the next year Second SDM Consultant hired in September 2015

9 SDM FAQ S Developed by the Institute to address common misconceptions and concerns around the SDM system. Attempted to address issues around: CUSTOMIZATION and ADAPTATION Date ownership Case management systems Implications on staff and agency Clarify support from SDM Consultants

10 Levels of Support Implementation Support Basic Needs Assessment Consultation and review with key players Development of SDM implementation plan for agency: outlining areas of need and plan for support Roles and Responsibilities clearly outlined between vested parties

11 Levels of Support Training Training on six SDM assessment tools Agency focused Length can be flexible Varying levels of training for front line protection, prevention, supervisors, and on call (EDW) staff Elder and Interpreter Onsite training

12 Levels of Support Onsite Support Group Supervision One on One support with staff Supervisor Mentoring Case readings Refresher/follow up training Specific case consultation

13 SDM Supervisors Working Group Main Intent: Provide a space for FN Agency supervisors to receive the support they require to implement and supervise SDM at their agencies. Provide a space for Supervisors to share experiences, promising practices, and challenges related to SDM Learn and share best practices Place to communicate and share SDM policy related changes

14 FN CFS and CRC Site Visits The CRC has been a strategic partner since CRC made a commitment to site visits with the FN CFS agencies wanting their support. First site visits were underutilized due to various reasons. Recommitment from MSS to include site visits to the FN agencies in their 16/17 contract with the CRC. Ten CRC site visits were made in the 16/17 fiscal year The SDM consultants hold a specific role with coordinating the CRC site visits with the agencies.

15 Rachel Melymick: Laura Hicks: Website: