Prevention services for First Nations, authorized service providers, and delegated First Nation agencies
The First Nations Child and Family Services Program includes funding for prevention services and activities to support First Nations children, youth, young adults, families, and communities
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Background
On April 1, 2022, Canada started implementing a series of immediate measures that would begin the process of reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program. One of these measures is a per capita allocation of funding for prevention services: $2,500 per registered First Nation person resident on reserves and in the Yukon, based on the total registered population of a First Nation drawn from the Indian Registry System.
This new prevention funding replaces orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) for the reimbursement at actual costs incurred for prevention (i.e., 2018 CHRT 4 and 2021 CHRT 12).
Funding is also available to support capital assets as they relate to the delivery of prevention services. For more information, please visit Capital Assets Guide Chapter 1: First Nations Child and Family Services
What prevention is
Prevention funding provided under the FNCFS Program is part of a continuum of care based on the needs of the First Nations children, youth, young adults and families.
First Nations determine the prevention services needed, based on their community's unique needs, circumstances and lived realities. First Nations can also determine which service provider will deliver these services.
Prevention services support the safety and well-being of First Nation children, youth, young adults, families and communities in a manner that is culturally appropriate, in their best interests, and in accordance with substantive equality.
Prevention activities related to child and family services aim to address community, family, and child risk factors. These prevention activities aim to build resilience, hope and a sense of optimism among children, families, and First Nations.
Objective and principles
Prevention and early intervention activities are critical to supporting the holistic and positive outcomes of First Nations children, youth, young adults, families and communities. They are the cornerstone of long-term reform of the FNCFS Program.
First Nations are strongly encouraged to continue working collaboratively with delegated First Nations agencies to provide holistic supports and services to First Nation children, youth, young adults, families and communities.
Increased investment in prevention and early intervention is critical to reforming the FNCFS Program. Stabilized prevention funding recognizes the critical role communities play in child safety and community well-being.
Who is eligible
- First Nations
- FNCFS delegated agencies
- FNCFS service providers authorized by a First Nation
How prevention funding can be used
Prevention funding:
- supports culturally relevant, community-based programs and services
- honours intergenerational cultural caring approaches
- aims to address the structural factors that place children, youth and families at risk of involvement with child and family services
Funding for prevention services can include direct and indirect services:
- Direct services: activities and services that ensure First Nations children, youth, young adults families and communities are supported
- Indirect services: costs or activities related to operational activities that support the development and delivery of prevention services or programming
Both direct and indirect services can be reflected in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programming.
Primary prevention (community-centered prevention)
Primary prevention is meant to educate and provide services to the community that promote family wellness and prevent harm and child maltreatment.
Examples of activities include:
- classes, workshops and outreach to improve family preservation
- well-being, cultural and recreational activities
- crisis or help line services
Secondary prevention (family-centered prevention)
These services are intended to address families who are at higher risk of experiencing child maltreatment. Secondary prevention aims to:
- promote reunification and repatriation
- prevent separating a child or youth from their family wherever possible
- ensure supports are in place that enable the family to thrive.
Examples of activities include:
- group interventions or supports
- home visit programs for parents
- parent mentoring
- parenting skills programs
- family counselling, guidance and assessment
- addictions treatment for parents
Tertiary prevention (individual-centered prevention)
These services are intended to provide immediate safety and well-being interventions based on the child's best interest.
Tertiary prevention aims to:
- promote reunification and repatriation
- prevent separating a child or young person from their family, wherever possible
- ensure supports are in place that enable the family to thrive
Examples of activities include:
- immediate crisis interventions
- activities to build self-esteem and healing
- domestic violence interventions
- intensive family preservation services
- addictions treatment for parents and youth
For more information on primary, secondary and tertiary activities and services, consult the FNCFS Transitional Terms and Conditions: Contributions to provide children, youth, young adults, families and communities, with prevention and protection services.
Resources
First Nations individuals seeking immediate emotional support can contact:
- Hope for Wellness Help Line
Call toll-free: 1-855-242-3310
Chat online — Hope for Wellness Helpline
Kids Help Phone
- Call toll free: 1-800-668-6868 and press 3 to reach a professional counsellor
- Text: "FIRST NATIONS" to 686868 (youth) or 741741 (adults) to reach a trained volunteer crisis responder
- Urgent Help – Kids Help Phone
- Access to resources online