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Social work prof questions report |
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Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
A UNBC associate professor of social work is hoping the B.C. government continues to shift the delivery of aboriginal child protection services towards First Nations agencies, rather than provincial agencies.
"I think having autonomy to deliver child welfare services is good for First Nations people," said Glen Schmidt.
"Historically, aboriginal people have not been treated well by welfare services. Many provinces used to operate on a life-and-death basis, with no preventive services in place, and intervening only when a child needed to be removed. This resulted in many kids being taken out of communities and adopted to non-aboriginal homes. They lost their sense of identity and connection.
"I think aboriginal agencies will do a better job of supporting families and children within their community -- protecting them without separating them from their culture and communities."
Schmidt was responding to a report released Tuesday by B.C. Auditor General John Doyle that questions the wisdom of the province's shift of services towards First Nations during the past decade
Doyle's review found that only eight of 24 delegated aboriginal agencies in B.C. are up to the task of delivering full child protection services.
Although it is expected that all the agencies will eventually develop to the level of being able to deliver full time protection service, Doyle said at this time the small agencies find it too difficult since it requires qualified staff to be on call at all times.
The auditor is recommending that the government, First Nations and aboriginal agencies reconsider if the transfer of all child protection services to aboriginal agencies is still viable, and if not, adjust the course of service delivery to support some continued ministry service.
"I'm not sure that (Doyle) addressed the causes of the (transfer) slowness in B.C., but pointed to the fact it was not proceeding as fast it was supposed to, and to the fact the agencies weren't ready," said Schmidt.
"Some of that can be political and organizational, but a lot of it is adequate funding. The agencies need the funding to get ready."
Schmidt noted that in Manitoba, the delivery of services for aboriginal children had been completely transferred over to First Nations agencies by 1983.
"That devolution has always been slower in B.C., but fundamentally it's a good idea. The key is adequate funding," said Schmidt.
"But even in homes of relatives, kids still require supervision and followup," Schmidt said in reference to a Prince George situation reported in The Citizen in January.
In that case, court heard how a four-year-old aboriginal child suffered major abuse, neglect and malnourishhment while in the care of her grandmother, and the child was rescued only because a neighbour reported the abuse to authorities.
The story recently resurfaced and was debated in the legislature this week when NDP leader Carole James demanded to know how such a plight could have happened.
Mary Ellen Turpel Lafond, B.C.'s independent representative for children and youth, said there are 4,600 B.C. children in care in the Child in the Home of a Relative program.
That program does not require home visits by social workers and there is no duty to report injury or death of the children, said Turpel Lafond.
"I've asked to have it amended and strengthened so we will know if there's injury or death and we can look at the cases."
She wants the program to become "a full program with the Ministry of Children and Family Development with full accountability and better reporting to the public on what's happening to those 4,600 children. I want to make sure children are being supported in relatives' homes that are suitable and appropriate."
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 May 2008 )
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