Weechi It Te Win Family Services - Community Care Program

Application

Intake assessment required

Eligibility - Population(s) Served

Children younger than 18 years of age and their families who are members of any of the 9 First Nations communities in the Rainy Lake Tribal Region

Family Support Services

Emergency financial assistance is provided ONLY in extenuating circumstances and each case is treated and considered separately; referral for assistance must come from the Band Council
Home visitation is available for families who have children in alternative care; request for visitation must come from birth family

Fees

None

Contacts

Arlene Bruyere-Parker - Director, Naaniigaan Abinoojii
807-274-3201 Ext 4043 * arlene.parker@weechi.ca

Languages

English

Language Note

Ojibway, upon request

Accessibility Note

Fully accessible

Description of Services:

Oversees the delivery of child care and protection services and provides family support services

Administers services through each of the 9 Rainy Lake Tribal Area First Nations communities on an individual basis
Coordinates program through Family Services Workers and Family Counsellors who are members of the community in which they work
Ensures compliance by each community to child protection measures

Family Support Services

Offers an array of family support services including but not limited to:

Advocacy and referral to external agencies
Assessment and planning of child's and family's needs
Counselling
Emergency financial assistance for basic needs only in cases where the welfare of child/children is at-risk
Home visitation arrangements and supervison to enable parents to visit with their children living in alternative care

Prevention Services

Provides public education about parenting skills and assisting children through difficult times
Develops healthy social and recreational programs for families
Hosts community forums to address issues such as youth drug abuse, inadequate housing, schooling problems and after school activities
Organizes elders meetings that address traditional child rearing methods
Provides information sessions about understanding substance dependency and resulting family violence, and overcoming oppression by understanding cultural realities

Repatriation Services

Processes requests to have children in external foster care brought back to homes within the community
Acts as a liaison between the Band/Tribal Agency and external agencies
Provides advocacy on behalf of the child and family

Outreach Services

Provides the option to children adopted by outside families to discover their birth family and heritage
Provides records and information to Tribal Agency and external resources