The Department of Health and Social Services has created two Child and Family Services (CFS) practice standards to help guide GNWT child and family services providers on the principles and standards set out under the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

• Standard 10.15: Commitment to Indigenous children, youth, and families is an overarching standard that will inform many aspects of child and family services delivery. It is meant to provide guidance to GNWT child and family services providers around engagement and collaboration with Indigenous governing bodies on matters related to child and family services.
• Standard 10.16: Requirement to provide notice before taking a significant measure in relation to an Indigenous child or youth is specific to the implementation of section 12 of the Federal Act, which requires that notice is provided to parent(s), care provider(s), and the Indigenous governing bodies to which a child or youth belongs before taking a significant measure in relation to an Indigenous child or youth.

Note: These practice standards are meant to be living documents. They will be revised on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain current and that they reflect the best ways for GNWT child and family services providers to work with Indigenous children, youth and families. The Department of Health and Social Services invites ongoing feedback and suggestions on this document from Indigenous governments, families, communities and frontline service providers. If you have any comments, please send them to: CFS_StandardsFeedback@gov.nt.ca.

Forms

• Form 10.15.1 Letter inviting collaboration/engagement (not significant measure) as part of prevention (with consent)
• Form 10.16.1 Notice of Significant Measure to Parent, Care Providers, and Indigenous Governing Body

Tools

• Tool 10.15.2 Bill C-92 Compliance Guide for Social Workers and Service Providers by Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge
• Tool 10.16.1 Notice of Significant Measures Flowchart
• Tool 10.16.2 Significant Measures Notice Schedule
• Tool 10.16.3 Notice to Parent and Care Provider Brochure
• Tool 10.16.4 Notice to IGB Brochure
• Tool 10.16.5 Plan of Care Agreement (POCA) Notice Flowchart