Province and First Nation Agency to Partner on Child Welfare Services in the North

News Release – May 15, 2012

The Ministry of Social Services is working with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band Child and Family Services Agency to begin the transition of child welfare services for children and families in La Ronge and area.

“One of the key themes of the Saskatchewan Child Welfare Review Panel’s final report, and of our government’s Child Welfare Transformation Strategy, is the need to work differently with our First Nation and Métis partners,” Social Services Minister June Draude said. “The partnership between the ministry and the La Ronge Agency is an excellent example of how we are working together to provide timely, culturally appropriate services to children, youth and families in northern Saskatchewan.””We are proud to expand our partnership with the province and to work together to transform child welfare services in Saskatchewan,” Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said. “The La Ronge Agency is very pleased to provide these important services to the children and families of La Ronge and area.”

In 2011, the La Ronge Agency began providing after-hour and weekend emergency child protection services to off-reserve residents in La Ronge and area. Under a new agreement being negotiated, with a target implementation date of December 1, 2012, the agency would also assume child protection services; children’s services, including foster care, extended family care and other out-of-home care for children; recruitment, retention and support of foster parents and other family caregivers; and services to 16 and 17 year-olds.

In 2010, the La Ronge Agency was accredited by the Canadian Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF Canada) for demonstrating excellence in their work with children and families.

“The staff in our La Ronge office have done a wonderful job of serving the people of La Ronge and surrounding area, despite ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in the North, and I sincerely thank them for their work,” Draude said. “I look forward to a new, expanded relationship with the La Ronge Agency as we continue to work together toward better outcomes for northern children, youth and families.”

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For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479