2018-19 Horizontal initiatives

Horizontal Initiative: Jordan's Principle - A Child-First Initiative

Lead department: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

Federal partner organization: Not applicable

Non-federal and non-governmental partner(s): Not applicable

Start date: September 29, 2016

End date: March 31, 2019

Description of the horizontal initiative: Jordan's Principle, as defined by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal May 26, 2017 orders (amended on November 2, 2017), sets the foundation for programs and initiatives that put the well-being and healthy development of First Nations children as the top priority when they need to access government services. Jordan's Principle helps to ensure that all First Nations children living on and off reserve have access to the government services they need, with consideration given to substantive equality, cultural appropriateness and the best interests of the child. Implemented with the assistance of First Nations service coordinators, Jordan's Principle compels decisions that are fair, timely, transparent, and focused on the needs and best interests of the child.

In 2016, the Government of Canada committed up to $382.5 million in interim funding over three years to Health Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada to implement Jordan's Principle - A Child-First Initiative (now Indigenous Service Canada). Commencing in 2016–2017, the Initiative is aimed to meet the health, social and educational support and service needs of all First Nations children through:

• an enhanced service coordination model of care to proactively assist in identifying and addressing needs;
• a Service Access Resolution Fund to address an identified unmet need(s);
• ongoing engagement with First Nations, provinces and territories to guide implementation of this child-first approach and inform longer-term policy and program reforms; and,
• data collection, analysis and reporting activities to enhance information and accountability on the implementation of Jordan's Principle and longer-term policy and program reforms.
  
  The Jordan's Principle -A Child-First Initiative administers contribution agreements and direct departmental spending to help ensure that First Nations children have access to health, social, and educational supports and services.
  
  This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care and Contributions to provide women, children and families with Protection and Prevention Services.

Governance structures: To provide guidance and advice on the implementation and planning activities of Jordan's Principle, and Jordan's Principle -A Child-First Initiative, an Indigenous Services Canada Jordan's Principle Oversight Committee was established. The committee is co-chaired by the Senior Assistant Deputy Ministers of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Education and Social Development Programming and Partnership sector. The committee is also attended by the Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the committee meets to:

• Discuss and provide strategic direction on key policy and operational issues; and,
• Review, on a periodic basis, updates on progress and performance, and achievement of key milestones.

Total federal funding allocated (start to end date) (dollars): $382,500,000

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars):

ISC-First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB): $18,774,521

ISC-Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector (ESDPP): $1,256,860

Total: $20,031,381

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars):

ISC-FNIHB: $15,979,524

ISC-ESDPP: $319,878

Total: $16,299,402

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal and source of funding (dollars): Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars): Not applicable

Funding contributed by non-federal and non-governmental partners (dollars): Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: An initial evaluation is scheduled to be completed by 2018–2019.

Shared outcome of federal partners: First Nations children on and off reserve receive health, social and education products and services.

Expected outcome or result of non-federal and non-governmental partners: Not applicable

Name of theme: Not applicable

Theme Outcome: Not applicable

Theme performance indicator(s): Not applicable

Theme target: Not applicable

Planning highlights: The Government of Canada will continue to reach out to First Nations families, health providers and provincial/territorial stakeholders to raise awareness of Jordan's Principle, through a proactive and multi-faceted communications and marketing approach.

Co-development of the future direction of Jordan's Principle, with First Nations partners, through a national engagement process to inform cabinet decision making in fall 2018.

Creation of an additional toll free 1-800 line which will be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist in improving access to health, educational and social services supports for First Nations children.

Ongoing monitoring and tracking of Jordan's Principle processes to ensure compliance with the Canadian Human Right's Tribunal Orders.

Contact information:

Indigenous Services Canada
Bonnie Beach
Jordan's Principle Director
Indigenous Services Canada - First Nations and Inuit
Health Branch
613-960-4480
bonnie.beach@canada.ca