Quality Improvement Progress Tracker
70 total action items
Administer staff survey around SDM® to establish baseline and information to inform training.
Anticipated Outcome
The Department has baseline information on the level of knowledge possessed by staff around the SDM® assessment tools.
Status Summary
The survey was completed in October 2018. Results are being used to inform training and practice support.
As per the methodology described in the project plan (action 1.9), perform ongoing assessments of the financial and human resources needed to deliver child and family services.
Anticipated Outcome
A fair, equitable and adequate distribution of resources across all regions and authorities.
Status Summary
DHSS will continue to complete a detailed caseload measurement analysis twice a year to monitor fluctuations, trends and anomalies within community and regional caseloads in comparison with previous measures of caseloads.
Details
Deadlines will be identified in the project plan (see action item 1.9).
Clarify roles and responsibilities of practice support within the TCSA, HRHSSA, NTHSSA and DHSS, and in relation to each other. Communicate to all Child and Family Services Staff.
Anticipated Outcome
All Child and Family Services Staff have role clarity for practice support.
Status Summary
This action item was achieved through the establishment of the Accountability Framework and CFS Approval Process. These documents were implemented and communicated in January 2019.
Complete a comprehensive update to Foster Care Standards and Procedures to reflect leading practices.
Anticipated Outcome
Foster care standards are clear, and reflect leading practices.
Status Summary
The Child/Youth Placement Services team within NTHSSA has been established. This team works with DHSS, Tlicho Community Services Agency (TCSA) & Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) to review and update the foster care standards to ensure they align with the Child and Family Services Act, Federal Act and current best practice. Efforts are underway to ensure strong collaboration with DHSS, TCSA, and HRHSSA is in place with the goal of enhancing training and developing standards in a culturally safe and effective manner.
Complete a comprehensive update to the investigation section of the Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual to integrate leading practices, forensic interviewing techniques, and Structured Decision Making Assessment Tools®.
Anticipated Outcome
Investigation standards are clear, and reflect leading practices.
Status Summary
The update to the Investigation section of the Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual is a system feature improvement initiative. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well ongoing staffing issues, this action will be postponed as priority is given to addressing immediate needs of the CFS system.
This section of standards, as well as the framework to guide this update process, will be developed at a later date through consultation with the 3 Authorities (NTHSSA, TCSA, HRHSSA).
Complete a comprehensive update to the plan of care agreement section of the Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual to reflect leading practices and Structured Decision Making Assessment Tools®.
Anticipated Outcome
Plan of Care Agreement Standards are clear, and reflect leading practices.
Status Summary
The update to the plan of care agreement section of the Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual is a system feature improvement initiative. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well ongoing staffing issues, this action will be postponed as priority is given to addressing immediate needs of the CFS system.
This section of standards, as well as the framework to guide this update process, will be developed at a later date through consultation with the 3 Authorities (NTHSSA, TCSA, HRHSSA).
Complete system-wide accreditation.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on quality assurance processes.
Status Summary
The HSS system has completed and received accreditation through Accreditation Canada. Child and Family Services was included as part of the accreditation process.
Conduct Child and Family Services staff teleconferences to highlight special initiatives, good news stories, discuss topics of interest/concern and receive feedback.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on knowledge and experience of others.
Status Summary
Consistent monthly teleconferences were initiated in July 2018. During the containment phase of the pandemic, we introduced weekly “all staff” meetings as a means of keeping staff engaged and informed of key practice changes. For phase 2 of the pandemic, we have moved the meetings to every three weeks to ensure staff have consistent messaging and an opportunity to provide feedback.
Conduct NWT System Wide Audit of key legislative and standard requirements.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on quality assurance processes.
Status Summary
The 2020-2021 NWT System Wide Audits will be completed February - July 2022.
Conduct a review of children in Out-of-Territory (OOT) Specialized Services to ensure a current interprovincial placement agreement (IPPA) for each child is in place with applicable provisions for courtesy supervision.
Anticipated Outcome
Children and youth in OOT Specialized Services have a current IPPA.
Status Summary
The OOT database was restructured in August 2018 to track and manage IPPAs. All IPPAs were reviewed by October 2018. The work of ensuring the IPPAs are up-to-date is ongoing.
Conduct quality reviews on Plan of Care Agreements.
Anticipated Outcome
Children and youth have meaningful contact with their Child Protection Workers as well as appropriate case planning and permanency planning.
Status Summary
Reviews continue on a quarterly basis.
Conduct quality reviews on children and youth who are in the Director’s temporary and permanent care.
Anticipated Outcome
Children and youth have meaningful contact with their Child Protection Workers as well as appropriate case planning and permanency planning.
Status Summary
Reviews continue on a quarterly basis.
Conduct quality reviews to monitor adherence to minimum contacts and case reviews for children and youth in OOT placements.
Anticipated Outcome
Children and youth are supported in their OOT Specialized Service.
Status Summary
Reviews continue on a quarterly basis.
Conduct quality reviews to monitor compliance on key foster care requirements.
Anticipated Outcome
Foster homes are appropriately assessed and screened.
Status Summary
Reviews continue on a quarterly basis. The NTHSSA actively reviews the regional and territorial barriers and solutions in complying with child and family service practice standards.
Conduct quality reviews to monitor compliance on key investigation requirements. Conduct follow-up regional meetings to discuss results and determine strategies to improve compliance.
Anticipated Outcome
Focused strategies are being used to improve compliance with key investigation standards.
Status Summary
Reviews continue on a monthly basis. The NTHSSA actively reviews the regional and territorial barriers and solutions in complying with child and family service investigation standards.
Continue to implement the comprehensive human resources recruitment and retention plan.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System has increased capacity to deliver quality services to children, youth and families.
Status Summary
The staff recruitment model will continue to be used to concurrently fill multiple positions across the NWT. NTHSSA will continue to monitor the recruitment and retention plan with focused efforts to promote recruitment of Indigenous NWT residents, succession planning and building capacity within CFS in the NWT.
Details
This is ongoing.
Create an oversight mechanism for the practice of transferring guardianship.
Anticipated Outcome
The Statutory Director has increased oversight over the practice of transferring guardianship.
Status Summary
An oversight mechanism was created for the new standard on the practice of transferring guardianship in April 2019.
Create expert SDM® trainers within the NWT Child and Family Services System.
Anticipated Outcome
SDM® is being implemented in a way that is sustainable and provides ongoing learning for staff.
Status Summary
The training leads have taken on the role of ‘expert’ SDM® trainer and are delivering all SDM® training components within the Child Protection Worker Statutory Core Training and have provided regional refresher training on SDM®.
Details
This was completed in May 2019.
Create policies and processes to support equitable distribution of supports under voluntary services agreements; support services agreements; and extended support services agreements.
Anticipated Outcome
Children, youth and their families are provided with preventions services that meet their needs.
Status Summary
CFS prevention services have been updated in response to both the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the implementation of the Federal Legislation, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children, youth and families.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brief Service Agreements providing financial support were and continue to be offered to families experiencing financial hardship. The Ministerial Directive extending support services to youth and young adults was also extended to be in effect up to 90 days after the end of the public health emergency to support their transition to independence.
Since the implementation of the Federal Act, all CFS standards related to prevention services were revised to align with the principles of the Act, including the addition of providing prevention services to expectant parents.
Deliver refresher trainings on current SDM® Assessment Tools for Managers and Supervisors, and frontline staff.
Anticipated Outcome
SDM® is being used consistently across the NWT.
Status Summary
Between February and May 2019, refresher trainings were delivered on current SDM® Assessment Tools for Managers and Supervisors, and some frontline staff. Refresher webinars on specific SDM® Assessment Tools were delivered in September and November 2019.
Develop a family preservation program for the NWT that strengthens partnerships with community resources.
Anticipated Outcome
Families have access to additional resources focused on preservation.
Status Summary
In June 2021, the first round of training for family preservation staff on providing Wrap services was completed.
There are currently 11 family preservation worker positions in the NWT and recruitment for these new positions is underway.
The next phase of the family preservation program is to establish an evaluation framework of the program and this continues to be under development.
Develop a monitoring plan for the OOT Specialized Services Program.
Anticipated Outcome
Children, youth and families have access to quality services through the OOT Specialized Services Program.
Status Summary
The monitoring plan was finalized in March 2019.
Develop a project plan to conduct ongoing assessments of Child and Family Services’ optimal team design and skill mix, workload, workflow, and caseloads.
Anticipated Outcome
A fair, equitable and adequate distribution of resources across all regions and authorities.
Status Summary
The project plan was developed by July 2019. Other jurisdictions are also actively working on similar projects. As described in the project plan itself, the NWT will continue to engage with other jurisdictions to inform and further refine the work completed to date in the NWT. This information will help to continue to evolve the approach to assessing workload and caseload.
Develop a set of key indicators to collect and track data that will help determine whether the Child and Family Services System is meeting its goals and better supporting children and families.
Anticipated Outcome
There is increased monitoring and reporting of relevant indicators.
Status Summary
The Department is participating in a multi-disciplinary working group with the goal of developing social and well-being indicators as well as indicators to assess integrated service delivery.
A review of national and international CFS frameworks was completed and research gathered is being used to inform development of key indicators.
DHSS continues to participate in the Tri-territorial Pan-Northern project which is a multi-year project to collaboratively develop relevant and meaningful child and family services indicators derived from administrative data.
Details
Ongoing
Develop a written protocol for quality assurance checks of the SDM tools, with feedback mechanism.
Anticipated Outcome
Quality Assurance on the SDM® Assessment Tools checks are systematic and standardized.
Status Summary
The written protocol for quality assurance checks of the SDM tools was completed in February 2019.
Develop and implement a foster care recruitment and retention strategy.
Anticipated Outcome
Children in care are placed in foster homes as close to their community as possible.
Status Summary
In collaboration with the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT, a foster care recruitment campaign was launched with a video, posters, and an all NWT mail out (March – April 2019). In October 2019, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority completed a Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Strategy. The strategy was informed by a foster care survey that was sent to all foster caregivers throughout the NWT.
The Foster Family Coalition of the NWT is supporting the recruitment of foster caregivers during the COVID-19 situation through their social media platforms.
Develop and implement a phased training framework.
Anticipated Outcome
Child and Family Services Staff have access to consistent and quality training to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Status Summary
A phased training framework was finalized in May 2021. The training framework includes but is not limited to:
- Enhanced Child Protection Worker Statutory Core training, which currently using a hybrid approach with both virtual and in-person training sessions;
- Returning worker training: This training is targeted to staff who are returning to CFS after an extended absence. Training is tailored to the needs of the staff member;
- Supervisor Manager training: This training is applicable to both new and existing Supervisors and Managers within the CFS system.
All training is offered according to an established training schedule and as requested.
An electronic training platform was activated in July 2021 and contains all training materials for staff. Staff have access to this platform and training materials on an as-needed basis.
Details
This is ongoing.
Develop and implement the Child and Family Services Communication Plan for internal and external stakeholders.
Anticipated Outcome
Stakeholders will have the relevant information to support Child and Family Services in the NWT.
Status Summary
The Department has revised its plan to support strategic communication to internal and external stakeholders over the next two years. This plan takes into consideration key initiatives at the Department, such as the implementation of the Federal Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The Department is committed to keeping partners and the public informed about CFS initiatives to promote ongoing dialogue.
Develop processes to engage and receive feedback from children, youth and families to help improve the system and services.
Anticipated Outcome
Child and Family Services are informed by feedback from child, youth and families.
Status Summary
In collaboration with the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, a youth in care network is being piloted virtually through the GLOW (“Gaining Life Skills OUR Way”) program for the second year. This program will be available to youth living in care who are aged 12 – 23. This network will give youth opportunities to speak out on important issues about their experience in care and their transition to young adulthood.
To encourage feedback and support ongoing improvements to service delivery, Child and Family Services is currently developing a complaint process for individuals to share their experience of their interactions with the CFS system.
Details
This is ongoing.
Engage staff to better understand the challenges and opportunities in meeting key standards on interviews and investigations.
Anticipated Outcome
Focused strategies are being used to improve compliance with key investigation standards.
Status Summary
Staff engagement continues to occur through regular all-staff meetings and the quality review process. Through the quality review process, staff continue to participate in quarterly strategic action planning with a focus on quality improvement. In March-June 2021, NTHSSA completed a review of regional and territorial barriers and solutions related to interviews and investigations as well as obtained feedback from staff and stakeholders. Together, this information was used to inform an action plan addressing the identified challenges.
Details
This is ongoing.
Ensure there are mechanisms in place after training events to capture Child and Family Services Staff feedback to inform programs, services, and policies.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on knowledge and experience of others.
Status Summary
Participant knowledge assessments are regularly collected after training events. Questionnaires will be available to staff on the online electronic platform which will contain all aspects of training initiatives in one central location.
Details
This is ongoing.
Establish a Child and Family Services Quality Committee and Working Groups.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on knowledge and experience of others.
Status Summary
The working group established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic remains active. Since December 2020, efforts have been underway to move forward with additional working groups to promote quality of service delivery to children and their families.
In February 2021, a CFS data table working group was launched. The purpose of this group is to strategically identify priority areas of Child and Family Services data that will help inform system improvement strategies.
Establish a Culturally Respectful Child and Family Services System Quality Working Group to inform actions under this priority area.
Anticipated Outcome
Child and Family Services are informed by feedback from the working group.
Status Summary
The Senior Advisor, Culturally Safe Child and Family Services position has been established and the position has been filled. This position will be co-managed through a collaboration between DHSS Child and Family Services Division and Community, Culture, and Innovation Division. This position is responsible for informing CFS strategic initiatives, standard and policy development, and training curriculums for staff and caregivers to promote culturally safe and anti-racism practices within the CFS system.
Establish a Foster Care Quality Working Group to inform the actions under this priority area.
Anticipated Outcome
Changes to foster care services reflect the NWT context and the knowledge and experience of others.
Status Summary
The Child and Family Services system launched a specific working group to inform our response to COVID-19. This working group includes representation from all three authorities, and the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT. The Foster Family Coalition ensures that the voice of foster caregivers is included in the GNWT response to the COVID-19 situation.
Explore options for community agreements with those communities that indicate an interest in considering an increased role in supporting families involved in the CFS system.
Anticipated Outcome
Some communities are playing a direct role in supporting Child and Family Services.
Status Summary
Discussion towards these community agreements will be integrated into engagement meetings with Indigenous governments. As of April 2021, Child and Family Services has met with 5 Indigenous governments to discuss CFS provision to their community members.
One Indigenous government has committed to working with CFS to develop a terms of reference and protocol in efforts to identify the best way to engage and collaborate on the planning for children/youth receiving services.
CFS will continue to explore options with Indigenous governments on community agreements or other types of protocols/processes for supporting families involved in the CFS system.
Details
This is ongoing.
Formalize the review process for ongoing updates to the Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual and communication processes.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services Standards and Procedure Manual is clear, and reflects leading practices within the NWT context.
Status Summary
The review process was finalized on February 8, 2019.
Implement a clinical supervision model, and train supervisors and managers.
Anticipated Outcome
Child Protection Workers are supported in quality decision making and care planning.
Status Summary
All Supervisors and Managers were trained by December 2018. The model was implemented in January 2019. The NTHSSA also launched online learning modules in June 2019.
Details
This is ongoing.
Implement a consistent approach to managing and supporting foster caregivers by creating specialized foster care caseloads in all regions.
Anticipated Outcome
Focused resources dedicated to Foster Care Services.
Status Summary
The NTHSSA has updated the foster care and adoption worker job descriptions to ensure consistency of program delivery across the NWT. There are dedicated positions in all regions of the NWT.
Details
This is ongoing.
Implement a revised accountability framework to clarify accountability, roles, and responsibilities. Communicate changes to all Staff.
Anticipated Outcome
All Child and Family Services Staff have role clarity.
Status Summary
The revised accountability framework was implemented in January 2019. Communication about the revised accountability framework occurred at different meetings and events, such as the All Child and Family Services Staff Meeting, Manager and Supervisor Forum, and Statutory Director’s Forum.
Implement an anonymous Child and Family Services Staff Suggestion Box and a mechanism to address suggestions.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on knowledge and experience of others.
Status Summary
The anonymous Suggestion Box was initiated in September 2018. The Suggestion Box continues to be monitored and responded to.
Details
This is ongoing.
Implement quality assurance processes for Matrix NT.
Anticipated Outcome
Reliable data is being generated through Matrix NT to support monitoring, accountability and decision making.
Status Summary
Routine quality assurance checks are being completed with Matrix NT. This work is ongoing.
Implement strategies to grow the Northern Child and Family Services workforce at all levels of the organizations.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System has an increased northern workforce.
Status Summary
There are specific strategies in the human resources recruitment and retention plan aimed at increasing the northern child and family services workforce. For example, positions in CFS system are being re-leveled to ensure that there are several entry points into the workforce with a variety of educational and experience requirements assigned accordingly.
Child and Family Services continues to utilize the Indigenous Gateway program to support the recruitment of the family preservation workers and healthy family staff. Staffing initiatives are informed by data specific to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous new hires.
As a result of additional resources, CFS has many new opportunities within leadership. To build the capacity of our northern workforce, expressions of interest where affirmative action was applied are prioritized.
Details
This is ongoing.
Implement the new guardianship standard.
Anticipated Outcome
Staff have better clarity on the screening requirements and supports to provide to guardians taking on these responsibilities.
Status Summary
The standard was implemented in November 2018.
Implement the remaining two SDM® Assessment Tools (Risk Reassessment and Reunification).
Anticipated Outcome
Child Protection Workers are using reliable assessment tools to inform their practice.
Status Summary
The Department is completing a decision paper to evaluate the risk and benefits of implementing the two remaining SDM® Assessment Tools.
Improve communication and partnerships with Indigenous communities to support and care for children and families in their communities.
Anticipated Outcome
A partnership is fostered between Indigenous Communities and the Child and Family Services System.
Status Summary
COVID-19 has interrupted the progress of engagement efforts with Indigenous governments however CFS continues to reach out Indigenous governments, maintain commitments to data sharing, and provide opportunities to collaborate.
It is anticipated that when COVID-19 restrictions ease, opportunities to engage with Indigenous governments will expand.
It is acknowledged that improving communication and partnerships with Indigenous communities is an ongoing and evolving process. CFS remains committed to providing opportunities for engagement and partnerships with Indigenous governments.
Details
This is ongoing.
Improve the human resource capacity to meet the needs of children, youth and families accessing services under the Child and Family Services Act.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System has increased capacity to deliver quality services to children, youth and families. Ongoing assessments of human resource needs will be conducted, and if required, the Department will follow the business planning cycle to request additional resources.
Status Summary
As part of a three-year funding initiative, in April 2019, June 2020 and April 2021, a total investment of $8.91 million was approved to add 57 new positions to support Child and Family Services. In April 2021, CFS received the last installment of this initiative through the addition of 16 new positions to the CFS system. These positions were allocated to increase frontline capacity in the areas of family preservation, foster care and supervisory support. The investment in April 2021 also included increased funding to support training, and continued funding to implement a youth in care network in the NWT.
Details
This is ongoing.
Initiate a supervisory on-call model.
Anticipated Outcome
Child Protection Workers have consistent access to practice advice after hours.
Status Summary
The NTHSSA implemented a supervisory on-call model in April 2019.
Meet with current and incoming Assistant Directors to identify their individual training needs.
Anticipated Outcome
ADs are supported to fulfill their delegated responsibilities.
Status Summary
Between October and December 2019, information was gathered from Assistant Directors to identify their individual training needs. This will continue on an ongoing basis and will inform the training framework.
Details
This is ongoing.
Monitor implementation of the revised accountability framework, and make adjustments as required.
Anticipated Outcome
All Child and Family Services Staff have role clarity.
Status Summary
The transition of NTHSSA regional staff to NTHSSA, Child, Family, and Community Wellness (CFCW) Division was completed as of February 1, 2021. These changes intersect and align with the delivery of Child and Family Services by the TCSA and HRHSSA.
The Department will continue to monitor this structure to ensure appropriate oversight over the CFS system and the effective intersection of services across all 3 Authorities (NTHHSA, TCSA, and HRHSSA).
Details
This is ongoing.
Provide contact information of foster caregivers to the FFC-NWT.
Anticipated Outcome
Foster caregivers are connected to FFC-NWT resources.
Status Summary
In April 2019, a directive was sent to all staff to clarify the requirement of sending contact information of foster caregivers to the FFC-NWT. The Foster Home Agreement includes a section for approving the provision of foster caregiver contact information to the FFC-NWT. With consent, contact information of foster caregivers is being provided regularly to the FFC-NWT. The list of foster caregivers was shared with FFC-NWT in July and November 2019. Reporting will be ongoing to the FFC-NWT.
Details
This is ongoing.
Provide enhanced training and support to Child and Family Services Staff in delivering foster care services.
Anticipated Outcome
Child Protection Workers are provided with the necessary training to provide services according to the standards.
Status Summary
The foster care curriculum and training continues to be under development and involves a collaboration between DHSS, NTHSSA, Tlicho Community Services Agency, and the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.
Training will be guided by the Heart and Spirit program as well as subsequent updated practice standards related to placement services.
DHSS is in the process of securing an agreement to offer the Heart and Spirit program in the NWT. This program provides training as well as assessment tools for staff to assess caregiver readiness and support caregivers in building the skills needed to provide culturally safe care to Indigenous children and youth.
All training will be available to staff on CFS’s electronic learning platform
Details
March 2020 and Ongoing.
Provide enhanced training and support to all NWT foster caregivers, in collaboration with the Foster Family Coalition of the Northwest Territories.
Anticipated Outcome
Children placed in foster homes are better supported by the foster caregivers.
Foster caregivers are better prepared to foster children.
Status Summary
During the COVID-19 pandemic, respite services continue to be provided to foster caregivers. This service is the result of a partnership between NTHSSA and the Foster Family Coalition.
The Heart and Spirit program has been approved as the training program that will be delivered to caregivers and efforts to tailor the programming to the NWT are underway. This training uses a culturally safe approach to train caregivers in providing care and support to meet the needs of Indigenous children and youth in the NWT.
Details
March 2020 and Ongoing.
Provide equitable supports for foster children that build on their resilience, personal interests and strengths.
Anticipated Outcome
All foster children have access to equitable supports across the NWT.
Status Summary
The Child/Youth Placement Services team within NTHSSA has been established. This team works with DHSS, Tlicho Community Services Agency (TCSA) & Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA) to review and update the foster care standards to ensure they align with the Child and Family Services Act, Federal Act and current best practice. Efforts are underway to ensure strong collaboration with DHSS, TCSA, and HRHSSA is in place with the goal of enhancing training and developing standards in a culturally safe and effective manner.
Details
This is ongoing.
Provide ongoing cultural safety training to staff.
Anticipated Outcome
Child and Family Services are provided with training around cultural safety and respect.
Status Summary
In August 2021, DHSS, in collaboration with the Community, Culture, and Innovation Division, hired a Senior Advisor for Culturally Safe CFS. This position will support Child and Family Services by promoting culturally safe and anti-racist service delivery to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children, youth, and families.
Details
This is ongoing.
Provide ongoing opportunities for training to CFS staff on interviewing skills.
Anticipated Outcome
Child and Family Services Staff have increased knowledge and confidence in conducting interviews.
Status Summary
The enhanced Child Protection Worker Statutory Core Training continues to offer modules specific to interviewing and the investigation process.
Training videos for forensic interviewing have been developed, piloted in one region in the NWT, and are available to staff via the CFS online learning platform.
DHSS is currently developing a tiered training approach to include:
- Basic interviewing
- Motivational interviewing
- Forensic interviewing
The forensic interviewing training will be offered using a train the trainer approach, to support capacity building with the CFS system.
Details
This is ongoing.
Provide ongoing support to Assistant Directors.
Anticipated Outcome
ADs are supported to fulfill their delegated responsibilities.
Status Summary
Supported is provided to the Assistant Directors through the Statutory Director’s Forum and on an as-needed basis.
Provide orientation to Indigenous community leadership bodies on the Child and Family Services program.
Anticipated Outcome
Community leaders have a basic understanding of how the Child and family system works and their opportunities to support families.
Status Summary
Child and Family Services has developed an approach for outreach and engagement with Indigenous governments for the purpose of providing an initial orientation to CFS service delivery and the implementation of the Federal Act. Outreach efforts have been ongoing since January 2020.
Since December 2020, CFS met with 5 Indigenous governments to discuss the implementation of the Federal Act and CFS service delivery to their community members.
CFS has committed to the ongoing sharing of information and data with these Indigenous governments on a quarterly basis.
CFS is working closely with 1 Indigenous government for the purpose of collaboratively building infrastructure to support Indigenous-led CFS service delivery in their communities.
This work is currently underway through a collaboration table that consists of both
CFS leadership and representatives from the Indigenous government.
Details
This is ongoing.
Provide specialized training for incoming Assistant Directors.
Anticipated Outcome
Assistant Directors (AD) are supported to fulfill their delegated responsibilities.
Status Summary
Incoming and current Assistant Directors participated in a two day specialized training event in November 2018. The Child Protection Worker Statutory Core Training was also offered to all Assistant Directors.
Provide training to current and new staff on Matrix NT.
Anticipated Outcome
Child and Family Services Staff are using Matrix NT consistently and are entering data correctly.
Status Summary
As part of our COVID-19 response, virtual MatrixNT learning demonstration sessions and handouts have been developed for staff.
DHSS staff continue to work with frontline staff in each Authority to ensure electronic documentation of files are accurate and up to date.
NTHSSA Territorial Leads are also providing 1:1 training to staff on electronic documentation in MatrixNT.
Re-Establish the Statutory Director’s Forum
Anticipated Outcome
Assistant Directors are supported to fulfill their delegated responsibilities.
Status Summary
The Assistant Directors have consistently met with the Statutory Director and Deputy Directors since May 2018.
Restructure the OOT Specialized Services Program and determine the required human resources to effectively deliver it.
Anticipated Outcome
Children, youth and families have access to quality services through the OOT Specialized Services Program.
Status Summary
This was completed in April 2019.
Review the OOT Specialized Services Program to determine opportunities to better support these children and youth in the NWT. If required, modify NWT program and services to better support the needs of children and youth, and their families.
Anticipated Outcome
Opportunities on how to better meet the needs of children and youth placed in the OOT are defined.
Status Summary
The review was completed in April 2019.
Revise key OOT Standards to reflect the program redesign.
Anticipated Outcome
OOT Standards are clear, and reflect leading practices within the NWT context.
Status Summary
The standard was implemented in March 2019.
Revise key standards to include enhanced permanency planning tools.
Anticipated Outcome
Permanency planning standards are clear, measurable, and culturally appropriate.
Status Summary
Concurrent and permanency planning standards were updated to align with the Federal Act and were distributed to the field in December 2020.
Streamline access to mental wellness supports for children, youth and families.
Anticipated Outcome
Children, youth and families have improved access to mental wellness services under the Child and Family Services Act.
Status Summary
The Department continues to implement the Child Youth Care Counselor (CYCC) initiative. Through this initiative, children, youth, and families have increased access to mental wellness support and services. This action aligns with the Child and Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan, which identifies the development of seamless care pathways to support children and youth. The Seamless Care Pathway model is a collaborative approach where a variety of mental health and wellness services are matched to the needs of the individual. Child and Family Services staff have been trained and continue to provide referrals to the Strongest Families Institute.
Additionally, opportunities for capacity building with local youth organizations are being explored to further support youth experiencing mental health concerns.
Details
This is ongoing.
Support the implementation of the Federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families by enhancing Standards of practice related to working with Indigenous children, youth and families
Anticipated Outcome
As a result of increased collaboration and engagement with Indigenous communities, the Child and Family Services system will be guided on how best to respect and preserve the identity and sense of belonging for Indigenous children and youth.
Status Summary
Two new overarching practice standards related to the Federal Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children, youth, and families, and revisions to seven existing CFS standards were released on December 18th, 2020. The two overarching standards related to the Federal Act will be revised over a 2-year period as we continue to build and improve on implementing the principles of the Federal Act into CFS practice and receive feedback from Indigenous governments.
Training was provided to frontline staff on these new and enhanced standards in February and March 2021.
CFS Standards and Procedures continue to be updated to reflect the principles of the Federal Act and incorporate culturally safe practice when working with Indigenous children, youth, and families
Details
Ongoing
Update contact standards to reflect leading practices.
Anticipated Outcome
Children are better supported based on their needs.
Status Summary
The minimum contact standard, tool and form were introduced to the system on November 1, 2019.
Update documentation standards to reflect Matrix NT and leading practices.
Anticipated Outcome
Documentation standards are clear, and reflect leading practices within the NWT context.
Status Summary
The documentation standards were implemented in October 2020.
Update incident reporting standards to reflect new accountability structure and leading practices.
Anticipated Outcome
Incident reporting standards are clear, and reflect leading practices within the NWT context.
Status Summary
The Serious Occurrence standard, tool and form were introduced to the system on March 3, 2020. The form was amended to include situations related COVID-19 so that we can track the impact of this pandemic on children and youth receiving services.
Work with the Legislative Assembly or one if its committees to commence a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Act.
Anticipated Outcome
The Child and Family Services System is continuously improved upon based on quality assurance processes.
Status Summary
The Department is supporting the Standing Committee on Social Development in their review of the Child and Family Services Act and will continue to provide information on the existing legislative framework, including programs and services for children, youth, and families across the NWT.
Details
To be reviewed every five years.