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First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program
General Information |
Department |
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada |
Partners |
INAC, First Nations governments, agencies and provincial governments. INAC's policies were reviewed by INAC, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and First Nation Child and Family Services agencies in a National Policy Review in 2000. Seventeen recommendations are contained in the Final Report. A copy of the Report is available by contacting the Social Services and Justice Directorate at INAC Headquarters. |
Effective Date |
As per INAC Policy Directive 20-1 (1989, amended 1995), FNCFS agencies are mandated by the province in accordance with provincial / territorial legislation to provide prevention, protection and adoption services to First Nation children and families on-reserve. |
Expiry Date |
Ongoing |
Web Site |
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/fnc_e.html |
Purpose |
To enable First Nation children and families living on-reserve to have access to culturally sensitive child welfare services in their communities and to ensure that these services are comparable to those available to other provincial residents in similar circumstances. FNCFS agencies are mandated by the province in accordance with provincial legislation, to deliver: (1) prevention services to families, in order to keep children in the home; (2) protection services to children at risk; (3) adoption services where required by provincial legislation. |
Roles and Contributions |
Provinces provide the legislative framework for the FNCFS and mandate individual agencies to operate within provincial legislation and guidelines. First Nations either directly operate provincially-mandated agencies or appoint a Board of Directors to operate the agencies. Provinces are responsible for providing services in areas where FNCFS agencies do not exist. INAC provides the policy framework for the operation of the Federal/First Nation/Provincial partnership. INAC provides the funding for services provided by First Nation agencies and the provinces. INAC website and publications include information on the roles and responsibilities of the department. FNCFS agencies, through their Boards of Directors, report back to First Nation communities on the interrelationship of governments. Provincial governments report on FNCFS agencies through their normal reporting mechanisms for the appropriate departments, according to their own procedures. There is no departmental tracking of public understanding and recognition. |
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Resources |
Funding |
$320 million (02-03) Part III, Plans and Priorities. FNCFS is included in Social Support Services. Initial allocations for the First Nation Child and Family Services Program in 2002-2003 are $320 million, and were $306 million for 2001-2002. The actual budget for 2000-2001 was $311 million. INAC provides funding to First Nation agencies for Operations, determined by an established formula, and for Maintenance (actual costs of children in care) based on the reimbursement of allowable actual expenses. INAC also reimburses provinces for the actual costs of providing Child and Family Services to children and families on reserve. Some agencies are being funded through block funding pilot projects to determine if increased flexibility provided to agencies will have a positive effect on the welfare of First Nation children on-reserve and the longer-term costs of care. The need for a more flexible funding methodology was recommended by the Steering Committee for the Joint National Policy Review. |
Tracking and Reporting |
INAC requires FNCFS agencies to report on the number of children in care, the levels of care required, and the costs of both children in care and operational expenditures. Information is gathered from monthly reports and invoices submitted by the FNCFS agencies. FNCFS agencies are required to provide an annual audit to INAC and the provinces. Funding agreements include requirements for program reporting as outlined in the "First Nation National Reporting Guide". This information is not publicly reported but is available on request to the First Nation council or the INAC regional office.Agencies are also required to complete periodical compliance reviews. Program terms and conditions include reporting requirements attached to each funding agreement under sections 32, 33, 34 (FAA); this includes qualitative and quantitative reporting. INAC issues the First Nations National Reporting Guide (FNNRG) with each funding agreement. |
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Measurement and Reporting |
Outcomes |
Culturally sensitive child welfare services by First Nation children and their families. Provision of prevention services for First Nation families on-reserve, in order to reduce the need for removal of children. Protection of on-reserve First Nation children from neglect and abuse, in accordance with provincially-approved standards. Placement and adoption of eligible on-reserve First Nation children in accordance with legislation and standards. The monitoring of the provision of prevention and protection services, and of the placement and adoption of children is a provincial responsibility. Improved monitoring and measurement of outcomes are being addressed through the development of results-based management and accountability frameworks, as part of the pending MC and TB submission on social and education authorities. Refer to Tracking and Reporting section. |
Indicators |
Provincial authorities are responsible for ensuring that standards and terms of legislation are met for both direct care and for care through mandated agencies. The reporting models differ from province to province. INAC monitors the number of children in care and levels of care as identified by FNCFS agencies. Levels of funding by agency, by region, and in total are also monitored. First Nations have noted the need to develop social indicators that are significant and appropriate to their communities and also provide an overall context to interpret the performance of their governments. |
Comparable Indicators |
Periodic studies are undertaken to compare the volume of service on-reserve and off-reserve, in order to determine whether trends are altering. Trends are tracked through INAC records and agency reports. |
Evaluation / Thrid Party Assessments |
The FNCFS National Policy Review (INAC, AFN and FNCFS agencies) has reviewed the existing national policy and funding arrangement. Operations are reviewed through periodic third party evaluations of agencies (e.g., the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Social Work), and reports from regional contact persons. |
Shared Information and Best Practices |
The FNCFS National Policy Review recognized the need for a national process to support First Nation CFS agencies through various measures including information sharing and best practices. Through the Volunteer Sector Initiative, the First Nations Caring Society of Canada is receiving Treasury Board funding to support information sharing and practical research initiatives. |
Public Reporting |
FNCFS annual meetings report to First Nation communities and leadership. In accordance with funding agreements, First Nation financial and activity reports, program evaluations, management assessments, and other standards, policies and procedures are to be made available to community members. Publication of annual reports by FNCFS agencies in accordance with provincial government guidelines. FNCFS agencies report to provincial governments on the quantity and quality of service being provided. Data provided by FNCFS agencies is contained in the annual reports of the relevant provincial departments which are available to the public. Basic Departmental Data reports, available on the departmental website provides summary information on the number of children in care, related costs and total funding provided. http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/sts/bdd01/bdd01_e.pdf Estimates, Part III: Plans and Priorities. Departmental Performance Report (FNCFS is included with Adult Care, Family Violence and Day Care, and reported as such under Social Support Services). http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/est/index_e.html FNCFS National Policy Review Report was presented to the Minister of INAC, the National Chief of the AFN, appropriate ministers in provinces and territories, other interested federal departments (such as Health Canada), and FNCFS agencies. The Report received final approval by the National Chief and the Minister of INAC as a work in progress. |
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Involving Canadians |
Provisions for Citizens to Participate in Developing Social Priorities and Reviewing Outcomes |
Residents of First Nation communities participate in community-based processes to identify priorities and review outcomes. The FNCFS National Policy Review involved the participation of the FNCFS agencies and the final report was reviewed by the AFN and First Nation representatives. INAC works in partnership with provinces, First Nation governments and FNCFS agencies to deliver First Nations Child and Family Services. All partners review and report on outcomes to their own constituents. |
Feedback Mechanisms to the Public |
FNCFS annual meetings report to First Nation communities and leadership. Publication of annual reports by FNCFS agencies. Estimates, Part III: Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports. http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/rprts/index_e.html Departmental website. http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/iss/fnf_e.html |
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Service Commitments |
Public Availability of Eligibility Criteria |
FNCFS agencies are responsible for ensuring public knowledge of their services within the communities they serve. Provincial agencies are responsible for ensuring public knowledge of their services to communities they serve. Eligibility criteria for the programs are also found in INAC’s website http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/fnc_e.html. |
Existence and Availability of Service Commitments |
Provincial authorities are responsible for ensuring that standards and service commitments are established for both direct care and for care through mandated agencies. In most cases, eligibility criteria are agreed upon by the three partners. Provincial agencies are responsible for ensuring public knowledge of their service commitments to communities they serve. Protocols dealing with child sexual abuse are well advertised by provinces, as are mechanisms for reporting neglect and physical abuse of children. FNCFS agencies are responsible for ensuring public knowledge of their service commitments within the communities they serve. |
Measurement and Public Reporting |
Most FNCFS agencies release annual reports which provide relevant data, point out achievements of the past year, and set out goals and objectives for the coming year. FNCFS agency annual reports are available to their Boards of Directors, the communities which they serve, and to Canada and the provinces / territories. FNCFS agencies provide annual audits to their communities, to the province / territory, and to Canada, http://www.inac.gc.ca. |
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Appeals and Complaints |
Existence, Availability and Communication of Mechanisms |
Appeals and complaints are most appropriately received by the provincial / territorial governments, which are obliged to follow up and seek resolution. In the case of child sexual abuse, formal protocols exist in every province requiring the reporting of such incidents. Complaints and appeals may also be received by First Nation governments, INAC, Members of Parliament, Senators, and other federal departments. These complaints must then be forwarded to the appropriate provincial government. |
Tracking and Public Reporting |
Provincial standards and legislation are clear on the role of the provinces in dealing with complaints related to child and family services. In the case of child sexual abuse, the roles of the agencies and all public officials are clear and required by law. First Nation governments establish their own procedures for tracking of appeals and complaints, which are handled internally. There is limited feedback to the public on these matters as they tend to be highly confidential in nature. Aggregate figures for children in care are available at http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/sts/bdd01/bdd01_e.pdf |
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Mobility |
Existence of Measure |
This is a targeted program through which INAC provides funds to First Nation organizations to deliver culturally sensitive child welfare services in their communities comparable to those available to other P/Ts in similar circumstances. INAC provides the funding to First Nation agencies which receive their mandate and authorities from provincial / territorial governments. Where FNCFS agencies do not exist, services are provided by P/T agencies at INAC cost. There are no residency-based barriers in this program. Protocols are in place between most First Nations and P/T authorities to ensure on-reserve service delivery to First Nation families. Continuing measures include:
- Monitoring of the program implementation through the regular review of funding agreements and program reporting requirements.
- Facilitate the development of protocols where required for existing agencies and also ensure that protocols are instituted as new agencies are developed. It is not anticipated that such protocols will be either burdensome or complex to implement.
A review of the National Policy on FNCFS was completed on June 30,2000. A series of 17 recommendations were made which address such issues as the need for more flexibility and more focus on prevention services. The implementation process is currently in place. |
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