Macdonald Youth Services (MYO) and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) have joined forces to help improve child welfare supports and services for 34 First Nation communities in Manitoba.
More than half of Manitoba’s 11,000 children in care are members of these communities.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by the partners to collaborate on a governance and community care model.
“There is an alarming overrepresentation of Southern First Nations’ children in care, many of whom are in placements that are detached and foreign to our communities and culture,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “It is a growing crisis and there is a need for dramatic and urgent system change. My intention is that this partnership will be a big first step signalling significant and positive change that transitions governance and services for our children, families and communities.”
The new partnership means MYS will be able to help more families and youth and add to their network that already exists in Northern Manitoba, North-West Ontario and Nunavut.
As part of the agreement SCO will appoint a representative to sit on the MYS Board of Directors as well an advisory group will be established to help steward the partnership. A joint work plan will also be developed that will meet the shared goals of the organizations to improve social programs and infrastructure for Souther First Nations.
“We are honoured the Southern Chiefs’ Organization has placed its confidence in MYS to work with its communities to provide hope, healing and growth,” said Jim Krovats, MYS Board Chair. “In Manitoba, 90 per cent of children in care are Indigenous. Our team is dedicated to providing effective social services that are consistent with
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