by ahnationtalk on October 22, 2024
October 21, 2024
NationTalk: Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler tabled the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services (CFS) in the Legislative Assembly earlier today. The Annual Report provides a detailed summary of services delivered in the Northwest Territories (NWT) between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, including adoption services, family preservation, prevention supports, and protection services.
The Annual Report provides an opportunity for NWT residents to see the types of supports and services delivered through CFS. The report also highlights trends that can help to identify key areas where the CFS system can be improved, and where there have been positive and meaningful changes.
In 2023-2024, 76% of children and youth receiving prevention and/or protection services remained in the home of their family of origin. Most Indigenous children and youth (61%) requiring support outside their home were living with an Indigenous caregiver, reflecting efforts to maintain cultural and familial ties.
For the first time in five years, there are more children and youth who are accompanied by their families receiving specialized services outside the territory, compared to those participating in individual or group treatment programs while their family remains in the NWT. This is an important shift because treating children with their families supports cultural continuity. It focuses on keeping families together, strengthening their bonds, and preserving cultural/community connections, which is essential to making the CFS system more culturally safe.
Despite these positive trends, the data continues to reveal areas that require our collective attention, particularly the overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in the CFS system, who, despite representing 58% of the overall child/youth population in the NWT, accounted for 99% of those receiving CFS services.
In line with the Child, Youth and Family Strategic Direction and Action Plan released in October 2023, CFS is committed to addressing these disparities by fundamentally shifting towards a culturally safe system. Progress made in 2023-2024 includes piloting youth cultural wellness camps, increasing foster care rates and adoption subsidies, and launching initiatives to redesign care models rooted in Indigenous practices.
Quote
“The progress outlined in this year’s Annual Report reflects our dedication to creating a system that not only addresses immediate needs, but also builds stronger, culturally connected futures for our children and youth. Through the Strategic Direction and Action Plan, we are taking significant steps to ensure that every child and family in the NWT have the support they need to thrive.”
- Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services
Quick Facts
- The GNWT increased the daily rates for foster care and adoption subsidies, effective retroactively from March 1, 2024.
- 1,067 children and youth have received prevention and/or protection services through CFS.
- 51% of services delivered through CFS were prevention-focused agreements.
- 61% of Indigenous children and youth who required support outside their home were living with an Indigenous caregiver.
- Over the past 10 years, there has been a 39% decrease in the number of children/youth in permanent care.
- 99% of the total number of children and youth receiving child and family services identify as Indigenous (either First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), despite only representing 58% of the overall child/youth population in the NWT.
- The Family Preservation Program has expanded its services, assisting 112 families and 32 youth.
- 22 out of 26 adoptions in the NWT during 2023-2024 were custom adoptions.
Related Links
- Annual Report
- Child, Youth and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan
- Progress Tracker News Release
For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Andrew_Wind@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034