Indian Residential Schools Mental Health Support Program - Program
Framework - December 2004
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
2005
ISBN: 0-662-39627-8
HC Pub. No.: 3346
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Table of Contents
A. Introduction
Introduction
The health and safety of Indian Residential Schools (IRS) claimants
is a priority for Government. Canada has heard from many former
students, their families and communities that disclosures of abuse
are often emotionally traumatic, and as such mental health supports
should be made available and accessible for all former IRS students
who are actively resolving their IRS legal claim (hereafter referred
to as 'claimants'). Since 1997, Canada has resolved over
1,809 IRS legal claims (Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada
(IRSRC) web site data as of December 6, 2004). In order to ensure
the safety of claimants, Canada developed an IRS Mental Health
Support Program to provide mental health supports for eligible
claimants. The Mental Health Support Program was developed in response
to feedback from former IRS students, and in partnership with IRSRC's
Aboriginal advisory body. The IRS Mental Health Support Program
is one of the key components of the National Resolution Framework.
The National Resolution
Framework
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC) was established
in June 2001 to resolve claims associated with the legacy of the
residential school system. In December 2002, IRSRC announced the
creation of a National Resolution Framework. A key element of the
National Resolution Framework is an Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR) Process to administer, validate and resolve claims in a timely
and supportive manner as an alternative to the court system. This
process is supported by the IRS Mental Health Support Program that
aims to ensure the health and safety of individual claimants who
are actively resolving their ADR or litigation claims.
If you are interested in learning more about IRSRC or the ADR
process, please call the Indian Residential Schools Helpdesk at
1-800-816-7293 or visit  Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada's
Web site.
The Indian
Residential Schools (IRS) Mental Health Support Program Summary
The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Health Canada
works in partnership with Indian Residential Schools Resolution
Canada (IRSRC) to coordinate and fund services available under
the IRS Mental Health Support Program.
The IRS Mental Health Support Program provides mental health counselling
services and transportation services for all eligible claimants
through Health Canada's Regional Offices. Each Regional Office
has an IRS Regional Coordinator to help claimants access mental
health and emotional support services and process these requests
within the policies of this framework. Eligible claimants may include
any former IRS student with a claim against Canada who is in the
process of actively resolving their claim through the Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR) process or in litigation.
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Health Canada will
coordinate the following Mental Health Support Program services
for claimants:
-
Mental Health Counselling - will be provided based on receipt
of a completed treatment plan which includes the number of recommended
counselling sessions and cost, from a Health Canada recognized
Mental Health Service Provider and approved by FNIHB.
-
Transportation - will be provided to access limited individual/family
mental health counselling and/or transportation to access Elder/Healer
services that are not available in the home community and are
approved by FNIHB (nearest appropriate service).
-
Resolution Health Support Worker (RHSW) - culturally appropriate
emotional support services will be available in areas where there
are high numbers of claimants. These services will be provided
by individual RHSWs working through Aboriginal or Aboriginally-affiliated
organizations funded by FNIHB. The services of the RHSW include,
but will not be limited to, providing a variety of front-line
support and coordination services directly to claimants involved
in the ADR or litigation processes. RHSW activities will vary
based on regional differences, but will also attempt to build
relationships with key stakeholders in an effort to promote a
greater understanding of the IRS Mental Health Support Program.
IRSRC will fund and monitor the following IRS Mental Health Support
Program service for claimants:
-
IRS Crisis Line (Toll Free) - the IRS Crisis Line is a
professional and flexible safety support net that can be accessed
toll-free, 24-hours a day in any region of the country by IRS
claimants or their support networks. The IRS Crisis Line is administered
and operated by an Aboriginal organization with trained Aboriginal
crisis counsellors. The IRS Crisis Line will connect callers
to local services when appropriate and can provide information
about the National Resolution Framework or other health support
information that is being offered by the Government of Canada.
The national IRS Crisis Line can be reached at 1-866-925-4419.
B. Program Overview
Program Objectives
-
To ensure that former students of Indian Residential Schools
(IRS), who are resolving a legal claim against the Government
of Canada, have access to an appropriate level of mental health
counselling and culturally appropriate emotional support services.
-
To ensure that former students of IRS can safely address a
broad spectrum of mental health issues related to the disclosure
of childhood abuse(s) they may face.
Program Philosophy
- To provide eligible claimants with non-judgmental, sensitive,
compassionate mental health and culturally appropriate emotional
support.
Program Principles
IRS Mental Health Support Program staff strives to manage the
program in a manner that meets each of the following principles:
- Claimant safety is the number one priority;
- Claimants are safe during Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
and litigation processes by providing mental health and culturally
appropriate emotional support to claimants through coordination
with Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC);
- Consistent delivery of the IRS Mental Health Support Program
services, in accordance with this program framework;
- Identify best-practices and raise operational and policy concerns
as they emerge;
- Communication with Health Canada staff and with other partners
involved in the process;
- Operate with flexibility and common sense with regard to the
provision of all elements of the program;
- Be informed of and respect the privacy rights of all claimants;
and
- Be accountable for all IRS Mental Health Support Program expenditures.
C. Program Services Chart
- Service:
Resolution Health Support Workers (RHSW)
- Delivered by:
Aboriginal or Aboriginally-affiliated organizations deliver service
- Administered by:
Health Canada
- Service Description
- Emotional support to claimants during all phases of the
resolution process with a focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR) and litigation events.
- Refer claimants to other appropriate support services if
and where required, including professional counseling.
- Attend workshops and conferences to promote a better understanding
of the Indian Residential Schools (IRS) Mental Health Support
Program.
- Service:
Individual Counselling
- Delivered by:
- Coordinated by IRS Regional Coordinator
- Delivered by a Mental Health Services Provider
- Administered by: Health Canada
- Service Description
- Available to a all claimants in ADR or active litigation
processes, regardless of status (First Nations, Inuit, Métis,
Non-Status or Non-Aboriginal) or place of residence.
- Claimants do not have to be in a crisis situation to access
mental health counselling.
- Service:
Family Counselling
- Delivered by:
- Coordinated by IRS Regional Coordinator
- Delivered by a Mental Health Service Provider
- Administered by:
Health Canada
- Service Description
When required, limited counselling sessions are provided for
the claimant's immediate family members.
- Service:
Group Counselling
- Delivered by:
- Coordinated by IRS Regional Coordinator
- Delivered by Mental Health Service Provider
- Administered by:
Health Canada
- Service Description
When individuals in ADR or litigation processes request group
counselling, counselling sessions can be arranged with the
IRS Regional Coordinator.
- Service:
Transportation
- Delivered by:
Coordinated by IRS Regional Coordinator
- Administered by:
Health Canada
- Service Description
Coordinate and fund transportation for claimants and their families
residing in remotes areas to access approved counselling and/or
transportation to access Elder/Healer services.
- Service:
IRS Crisis Line
(1-800-816-7293)
- Delivered by:
Delivered by an Aboriginal organization
- Administered by:
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada
- Service Description
- Access to 24/7 emotional support and crisis counselling
to ensure support to those who are triggered by the application
form.
- Allows survivors, and their support networks to gain support
at any stage of the process.
- Enables referrals to be made to Mental Health Service Providers
either under IRS Mental Health Support Program or to other
available local, regional or provincial/territorial services.
D. Resolution
Health Support Workers
Purpose
-
To provide a variety of flexible 'front-line' emotional
supports and coordination of services directly to Indian Residential
School (IRS) claimants involved in the Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR) or litigation processes.
-
The Resolution Health Support Worker (RHSW) services can be
accessed at any stage of the ADR or litigation process (hearings,
litigation events and during the application phase of either
process, etc.).
Roles & Responsibilities
-
Provide emotional support to IRS claimants during all phases
of the resolution process with a focus on ADR and litigation
events when requested (e.g."on-the-scene" emotional
support and/or telephone follow up);
-
Identify claimant support needs offered within the IRS Mental
Health Support Program;
-
Refer IRS claimants to existing community services and supports;
-
Ensure claimants are aware of their scheduled ADR or litigation
events and are aware of how to access financial support to bring
a support person to their hearing session (funded by Indian Residential
Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC) as part of the ADR process);
-
Provide a liaison role between Health Canada, IRSRC and Aboriginal
communities in raising awareness about the National Resolution
Framework and support needs of former students; and
-
Communicate with Health Canada in order to identify high claimant
activity areas, emerging and emergency situations.
Accessing RHSW Services
A former IRS attendee or family member may request RHSW services
through any of the following methods:
- A claimant calls their IRS Regional Coordinator directly;
- An IRSRC Resolution Manager can make a request for supports
on behalf of a claimant or as a safety measure for an upcoming
ADR or litigation event; or
- A third party (e.g. IRS Crisis Line, Resolution Manager, lawyer)
will refer and may assist a claimant in accessing RHSW services.
E. Mental Health Counselling
Purpose
- To coordinate and fund mental health counselling services;
- To coordinate and fund transportation costs, when required,
to access the nearest appropriate counselling and/or Elder/Healer
services.
Note: Mental health counselling and transportation services require
prior approval (based on the requirements of this framework) which
can be obtained from your Indian Residential Schools (IRS) Regional
Coordinator.
Eligibility
All IRS claimants (regardless of status or place of residence)
who fall under one of these categories:
- Have been accepted into the Model A or B of the Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR) process; or
- Who are actively participating in a form of litigation (excluding
criminal cases).
Accessing Mental
Health Counselling
Claimants:
An eligible IRS claimant may seek mental health counselling services
funded through Health Canada's IRS Mental Health Support Program
by any of the following methods:
- A claimant approaches a Health Canada regional office directly;
- An Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC) Resolution
Manager can make a request for support on behalf of a claimant
or as a safety measure for an upcoming ADR or litigation event;
or
- A third party (e.g. IRS Crisis Line, Resolution Health Support
Worker (RHSW), lawyer) will refer and may assist a claimant to
access mental health counselling.
Family Members:
Family members of an IRS claimant who is actively resolving his/her
claim within Model A of the ADR process may access counselling
when:
- A need for family counselling is outlined on a claimant treatment
plan by a Health Canada recognized Mental Health Service Provider;
- The family member or members have been providing direct emotional
support to the related IRS claimant prior to and during their
ADR or litigation process;
- A qualified Mental Health Service Provider may recommend to
Health Canada that immediate family members of an IRS claimant
should be approved to obtain counselling. Such sessions should
take the form of family therapy sessions, however, individual
sessions may take place if recommended and approved by the First
Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) regional psychologist.
Group Counselling:
Groups of claimants who have been determined to be eligible by
IRSRC (since November 2003) to resolve their claims together through
the ADR or litigation processes can access IRS Mental Health Support
Program services as follows:
-
When a group is accepted by IRSRC, the assigned Resolution
Manager, as part of his/her responsibility to inform the group
regarding the process, takes steps to ensure that the group understands
the information it has received concerning the IRS Mental Health
Support Program;
-
The group meets with the Resolution Manager and the IRS Regional
Coordinator to explore the various support options available
to the group (e.g. individual counselling, group counselling,
family counselling, or transportation to access sessions with
an Elder/Healer);
-
Transportation and counselling policies will be fully explained
at this time;
-
The group then works collaboratively with the Mental Health
Service Provider to identify its treatment objectives, and the
nature and extent of the IRS mental health support needed, including
numbers of sessions and transportation requirements if needed;
-
The Mental Health Service Provider will then submit treatment
plans detailing the total number of sessions required by the
individuals and/or group, including any transportation requirements;
-
The treatment plan is reviewed and approved according to IRS Mental Health
Support Program policies, and steps are taken to monitor the delivery of the
plan.
Expiration of Counselling
Sessions
A claimant's ability to access mental health counselling through
the IRS Mental Health Support Program ends:
- When a claimant has accessed all of his/her treatment plan
recommended counselling sessions; or
- 90 days after settlement has been reached in either the ADR
or litigation processes.
Appeals of Denied IRS
Mental Health Support Program Services
If a claimant's request for services is denied, the claimant
has the right to appeal the decision. There are three levels of
appeal, each of which has to be initiated by the claimant (not
the Mental Health Service Provider). In each case, supporting information
will be required and reviewed. The decision will be made based
on the claimant's needs and the IRS Mental Health Support Program
policies. Information about the appeals process can be accessed
through your IRS Regional Coordinator.
Eligibility of Mental
Health Service Providers
Potential claimants may identify a Mental Health Service Provider
they wish to work with under the MHSP, however registration with
Health Canada is required. If a claimant's preferred Mental Health
Service Provider is qualified but not registered, he/she should
begin the process to become registered immediately by contacting
the appropriate IRS Regional Coordinator.
Mental Health Service Providers recognized by Health Canada must
have the following qualifications:
- Registration as a psychologist in the province/territory in
which service is being provided with clinical or counselling
orientation; or
- Registration as a social worker in the province/territory in
which service is being provided (MSW or PhD in social work with
clinical orientation); and
- A member in good standing with his/her provincial/territorial
College or Association.
Mental Health Service Provider qualifications may vary from region
to region. Please contact the IRS Regional Coordinator in your
region if you are interested in becoming a recognized Mental Health
Service Provider.
*Note: Exceptions may be made in cases where there are a limited
number of Mental Health Service Providers and/or Aboriginal Mental
Health Service Providers.
If you or someone you know would like to access any of the above
mentioned services, please contact the IRS Regional Coordinator
in your home province or territory. A full list of IRS Regional
Coordinators is attached in Appendix 1.
Appendix 1
Indian Residential Schools (IRS) Mental Health Support Program
(MHSP) Regional Coordinators
Atlantic Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
15th Floor, Suite 1525
Halifax, NS B3J 3Y6
1-866-414-8111
Québec Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Guy-Favreau Complex
200 Réné Lévesque Blvd. West
East Tower, 2nd Floor
Montréal, QC H2Z 1X4
1-877-583-2965
Ontario Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Emerald Plaza
1547 Merivale Road
3rd Floor, Postal Locator 6103A
Nepean, ON K1A 0L3
1-888-301-6426
Manitoba Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Stanley Knowles Federal Building
391 York Avenue, Suite 300
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4W1
1-866-818-3505
Saskatchewan Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Château Tower, 18th Floor
1920 Broad Street
Regina, SK S4P 3V2
1-866-250-1529
Alberta Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue, Suite 730
Edmonton, AB T5J 4C3
1-888-495-6588
Pacific Region
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Federal Building
757 West Hastings Street, Suite 540
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E6
1-877-477-0775
Northern Secretariat (Yukon)
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Elijah Smith Building
Suite 100 - 300 Main Street
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2B5
1-800-464-8106
Northern Secretariat
(Northwest Territories and Nunavut)
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada
Sixty Queen Building
14th Floor, Postal Locator 3914A
60 Queen Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
1-866-509-1769
Indian Residential Schools Help Desk: 1-800-816-7293
Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Appendix 2
Acronym Glossary
- ADR
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- FNIHB
- First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
- IRS
- Indian Residential Schools
- IRSRC
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada
- MHSP
- Mental Health Support Program
- RHSW
- Resolution Health Support Worker
- RM
- Resolution Manager
Appendix 3
Definitions
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Process:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a voluntary process
that offers a timely and out-of-court way to resolve claims of
physical, sexual abuse and wrongful confinement suffered at Residential
Schools. It also provides services such as the Indian Residential
Schools (IRS) Mental Health Support Program and Commemoration.
- Claimant:
- A person making a residential schools claim, either in litigation
or in the Alternative Dispute Resolution process.
- Counselling:
- Sessions with a Mental Health Service Provider for help dealing
with personal, social or psychological problems or difficulties
related to residential school abuse.
- Eligible Claimant:
- IRS claimants, regardless of status or place of residence,
who have been accepted into Model A or B in the ADR process or
who are actively participating in a form of litigation.
- IRS Regional Coordinator:
- A Health Canada regional staff member, who is responsible for
the coordination of all IRS Mental Health Support Program components,
in their province/territory.
- Litigation:
- A court claim, lawsuit or legal proceeding in a court of law.
- Mental Health Service Provider:
- A Mental Health Service Provider recognized by Health Canada
must have the following qualifications:
- Registration as a psychologist in the province/territory
in which service is being provided with clinical or counselling
orientation; or
- Registration as a social worker in the province/territory
in which service is being provided (MSW or PhD in social
work with clinical orientation); and
- A member in good standing with their provincial/territorial
College or Association.
- Mental Health Service Provider qualifications may vary
from region to region.
- Models A & B:
- The Alternative Dispute Resolution Process has two models that
address different types of claims: Model A and Model B. For more
detailed information, please consult the ADR
Guide which may be accessed at the
following Web address:
http://www.irsrrqpi.gc.ca/english/dispute_resolution_guide.html.
- Resolution Manager (RM):
- Resolution Managers are government employees who will be assigned
residential school claims and who will act for and represent
the government. Resolution Managers will be the contact people
for all matters relating to claims. They will coordinate the
research of the documents that the government will gather. They
will review claims and all documents submitted by all parties.
Resolution Managers will try to locate witnesses and persons
identified as abusers. They will suggest areas which they believe
should be examined by the decision maker, and may suggest more
questions at the hearings. At the end of the hearings, they may
give their views to the decision-maker on individual claims.
Throughout the process, a government lawyer may work with the
Resolution Manager on your residential school claim.
- Resolution Health Support Workers (RHSW):
- A component of the IRS Mental Health Support Program which
is delivered through an Aboriginal or Aboriginally-affiliated
organization. RHSWs provide a variety of flexible 'front-line' emotional
support services directly to IRS claimants and their family members,
if required.
- Treatment Plan:
- Based on an initial assessment, a Health Canada recognized
Mental Health Service Provider will develop a treatment plan
for an individual claimant. The treatment plan will outline the
number of counselling sessions and associated cost for a claimant
to be supported while his/her claim is active in either ADR or
the litigation process.
- IRS Crisis Line:
- 1-866-925-4419
The IRS Crisis Line is one of the components of the National
Resolution Framework, Indian Residential Schools Resolution
Canada. This service is operated and managed by an Aboriginal
service provider to provide 24/7 emotional support and crisis
counselling to any caller in need and is accessible from all
regions in Canada.
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