Collaborative Partnerships
Partnerships with communities are one of the foundations of our practice. We work collaboratively with affiliated First Nations and other Indigenous agencies to gather a strong circle of support around the children and families we serve.
With an emphasis on the least disruptive measures of bringing children into care as a vital competent to restorative practice, agreements with extended family, community members and voluntary care agreements are commonly used. Our practice is grounded in restorative Indigenous Child welfare with internal policies to engage with the affiliated First Nations of the children and families we serve that exceed the standards set out in CFSA legislation. The affiliated First Nation of a child will automatically become a party to a matter if there is a child protection concern and will be contacted by VACFSS.
Connection to Culture
We are committed to ensuring that the right of children to participate in culture is upheld and that children and youth develop strong Indigenous identities reflective of teachings from their own communities and strong, positive urban Indigenous identities. Through our Guardianship program and Lifelong Connections Worker, our Touching the Land of Our Relations program ensures children and youth in care have the opportunity to visit their home territories.
We also support caregivers to develop care plans specific to the child’s First Nation in partnership with their community. We encourage Indigenous communities to connect with us about developing care plans for children and youth from their communities: info@vacfsss.com
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