APFA Press Release

Regional release, Okanagan

Oct. 30, 2003

Like their counterparts across the province, aboriginal communities within the Okanagan are bringing forward valuable insights into how things should change in delivering child welfare services.

 

Currently, six APFA zone facilitators are gathering community feedback which will form the first draft of the much-anticipated service plan. This important document is the template for how services, including child protection, foster care, guardianship and youth justice, should change.

 

According to Okanagan zone facilitator Jim MacArthur , there have been some positive messages received. "By far and away, the main theme of the focus groups is that the first area we need to address is mental health which includes alcohol and drug (additions)," said the Okanagan facilitator. "Mental health is really the foundation of rebuilding the rest. There's grief and loss. For example, there are too many 13-year-olds who have been to 10 funerals in their community. Grief also comes from other losses such as moving from their community and dropping out of school."

 

In generating community input, MacArthur is facilitating an Early Childhood Development focus group on Nov. 3, a youth justice focus group Nov. 7 and a mental health focus group with the date TBA. He is also organizing two gatherings, through the Okanagan Nation Alliance, on Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 3-4. The Okanagan facilitator, who can be reached at (cell) 212-8139 , will make presentations at a social workers conference Nov. 17 and at an Interior Health conference Nov.24 in the Grand Hotel.

 

Other zone facilitators, within the Interior, have indicated a need to revisit programs like youth justice with sentencing circles, making sure children leaving care have the life skills necessary for entering adulthood and the importance of elder's role. APFA Implementation Manager Leslie Varley has been coordinating the zone facilitator reports into the service plan.

 

"Communities are starting to imagine more culturally empowering and holistic services, and supporting these with increased community responsibility. There is discussion about the need to decolonize and to move away from punitive style programs, like taking children away from families, to empowering programs which help families heal and build strength. Over time, we need to develop services to fit our cultural needs, from the modern urban to the rural traditional people in our region. We have a huge challenge, and an exciting opportunity to outline in the service plan how we intend to change child and family services," said Varley.

 

Varley will bring forward the first draft of the service plan. A five-page summary of the service plan's first draft, which will feature key points, will be mailed out to Aboriginal People within the B.C. Interior for their feedback. It's important to note this service plan is an evolving document and any input from Aboriginal People is appreciated. Once completed the entire document will be put onto the APFA website at: apfaBC.org

 

The APFA is working towards securing more input for aboriginal people, including First Nations, urban aboriginal communities and the Métis Nation, concerning the health and safety of their children and youth. Even though aboriginal children make up only eight percent of this province's population between 0-18 years, as of June they accounted for about 45 percent of B.C.'s children in care. By contrast in 1995, aboriginal children made up about 35 percent of this province's children in care.

More information about this Ministry of Children and Family Development process is available online at: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca

For further information contact APFA spokespeople:

Bob Pasco Political Chair (250) 455-2711

Eliza Terbasket Transition Coordinator (250) 707-0095 ext.117

Debbie Abbott Board Chair (250) 455-2711

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