Prevention Services

The Prevention Services Coordinator incorporates agency models, and ensures implementation of the child and youth well-being community models that have been developed by Anishinabek First Nations in cooperation with their respective child well-being agency.

Core Roles

Prevention Based Practices

Identify and incorporate prevention based child and youth well-being practices, and coordination of services among multiple internal and to external organizations who serve First Nation children, youth, and families.

Presentation Materials

Develop presentation materials on prevention services for workshops, information sessions, and engagements sessions.

Advocacy for Prevention Based Policy

Participate on various technical tables with First Nation governments, provincial and federal ministries, and other organizations as it relates to child and youth services for First Nation children and youth both on and off-reserve.

Prevention-Focused Customary Care Program

The Prevention-Focused Customary Care Program began in 2021, to subsidize customary care in cases where a child or youth would benefit from an alternative caregiving arrangement before any protection concern(s) arise.

The goal of the Program is to:
  • Increase access to prevention-focused customary care arrangements;
  • Reduce the number of Anishinabek children in the child welfare system; and
  • Improve the overall well-being of Anishinabek First Nations.

Each Anishinabek First Nation has the opportunity to develop a process for families, frontline workers or citizens within their community to make referrals or request assistance.

Am I eligible for the Prevention-Focused Customary Care Program?

To qualify for the Prevention-Focused Customary Care Program, you must meet the following conditions and criteria:

  • The customary care arrangement is voluntary between parent(s) or guardian(s) and the prevention-focused customary caregiver, for the duration of the arrangement;
  • Care and supervision of the child(ren) and/or youth is provided by a person who is NOT the child’s parent(s) according to the custom of the child(ren) and/or youth’s community;
  • The child(ren) and/or youth’s community declares that the child is being cared for under customary care; and
  • The recipient has no reasonable grounds to suspect that the child(ren) and/or youth would be in need of protection while in the care of the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
  • There is no requirement under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) for either the recipient or the customary caregiver to have a license to provide residential care.