Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba
INTRODUCTION
102 Geographical Area Served 2
103 Mission & Goals 2
104 History 4
105 Eligibility for Service 11
106 The Board of Directors governs the affairs of the agency 11
100 Address: 800 McTavish Avenue
BRANDON MB R7A 7L4
Telephone: 204-726-6030
Fax: 204-726-6775
Toll Free (in Manitoba): 1-800-483-8980
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Emergency Services: After hours and on weekends and holidays
101 Chief Executive Officer: Dave McGregor
Director of Programs: Laurie Jackson
Comptroller: Mark Gillis
Supervisors: Art Asham Karen Collister
Jason Dueck Wendy Freeman
Darlene Kirkup Diane Martin
Marilyn Sterling Blanco Arlene Stewart
Marie Wotton
102 Geographical Area Served
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba services over 110,000 people in 12,000 square miles of southwestern Manitoba. This includes the unorganized areas immediately south of Riding Mountain National Park, the municipalities listed below and the incorporated cities, towns and villages therein:
Albert Hamiota Russell
Archie Harrison Saskatchewan
Argyle Langford Shoal Lake
Arthur Louise Sifton
Birtle Miniota Silver Creek
Blanchard Minto South Cypress
Brenda Norton Strathclair
Cameron North Cypress Strathcona
Clanwilliam Odanah Turtle Mountain
Cornwallis Oakland Wallace
Daly Pipestone Whitehead
Edward Riverside Whitewater
Ellice Roblin Winchester
Elton Rosedale Woodworth
Glenwood Rossburn
103 Mission & Goals of the Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba is an autonomous, non-profit agency providing child and family services to Southwestern Manitoba. The Agency, governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors, was established by charter, and is financed by both public and private monies.
Its people are committed to the ideals set forth in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
THE MISSION OF THE AGENCY IS: CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF WESTERN MANITOBA EXISTS SO THAT CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND NURTURED IN STRONG, LOVING FAMILIES WITHIN A COMMUNITY OF CARING PEOPLE.
To fulfill this mission, the Agency’s primary goals are:
è Families are strengthened and supported
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Revised June 2012
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è Children are protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation.
è Children in our care are parented appropriately.
è The Agency works in partnership with the community.
è Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba is a recognized leader.
è Staff are supported to meet the Mission of the Agency.
November 2003
Revised June 2012
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104 History
The Children’s Aid Society of Brandon began operation in 1898 and was incorporated on November 10, 1899 as a private agency under a Board of Directors to protect children from neglect. It was not until 1924 that the Child Welfare Act was passed by the Provincial Legislature. In 1929 service was extended to the district surrounding Brandon and the name subsequently changed to the Children’s Aid Society of Western Manitoba. In 1986 to reflect the changing emphasis of service and the 1986 Child and Family Services Act, the operating name was changed to Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba.
Over the years, the work of the agency has changed and expanded. Until 1938, the work of the Society had been solely with neglected children -- the counselling of their parents, and when necessary, their placement in foster homes. The following highlights some of the significant changes that have occurred:
1899 Incorporation of Children’s Aid Society of Brandon to protect children from neglect.
1924 Manitoba’s first Child Welfare Act.
1929 First paid employee. Volunteer service prior to that.
1938 At the request of the Provincial government, the Society took on the work of services to unmarried mothers and their children.
1942 Temporary foster home or non-ward care for children was introduced which made it possible for families in time of crisis such as illness, death, or desertion to enter into an agreement with the agency for short term care of their children.
1946 Agency took over adoption service to provide new families for children who had lost their own.
1948 Helen Riesberry became Executive Director of Children’s Aid Society of Western Manitoba.
1950 A summer camp program was initiated to provide a holiday for children from families known to the agency.
1952 Homemaker service was established.
1962 Child and family services were extended to the seven Indian Reserves in our area. This began as a pilot project for Manitoba Child Welfare and subsequently was extended to all reserves in areas served by Children’s Aid Societies.
1963 The agency’s first group home, Kinsmen House, was opened for adolescent boys. Over the years, the number of group homes and the functions of each have adjusted to reflect the changing service needs. At one point the agency had 6 group homes operating. In 2001 we have two group homes operating.
1966 Preschool Enrichment program started with one child. It has now grown to serve as many as 40 children per day.
“Helping Hands” logo was adopted.
1967 Day foster care program was initiated.
Volunteer services were dramatically increased by including university students to act as Special Friends for individual children and as leaders in group programs.
1968 Our first parental self help group was formed.
1969 Resources of the Adoption Resources Exchange of North America became available to us in planning adoption placements outside of Manitoba.
1970 New Maples was built as a 24 bed receiving home and took over the responsibility for this program from the City of Brandon.
1971 Victoria Day Care Centre was opened for children from two to five years of age, primarily to serve single parent and low income families.
1972 Agency moved to Provincial Building, 340 - 9th Street, Brandon.
The Agency enlarged its Territorial bundaries with the addition of the Municipalities of Rosedale, Langford, North Cypress, South Cypress, Strathcona, Argyle, Roblin and Louise.
Agency committed itself to further expanding the Preventive Services of the agency through the development of Family Life Education.
Formation of the Foster Parent Association in Westman.
1975 Foster Day Care Program was transferred to the newly established Provincial Day Care Program. The agency administered the program for the region.
1976 Bruce Fraser became Executive Director of the Agency.
1977 Agency’s statement of Purpose & Goals was formalized. It was updated in 1985, 1991, 1998 & 2001.
1978 “School Stay” program was started in cooperation with the Brandon School Division.
Emergency foster home program began replacing the functions of the Maples for emergency placements.
1979 A total service audit of our agency was conducted by the Director of Child Welfare. Although relatively favourable overall, there were a great many areas for improvements recommended.
1980 Maples was closed as a receiving home and the building was converted to accommodate the Preschool Enrichment and Victoria Day Care Programs.
Reorganization of the Board and organizational structures occurred leading to a new plateau of enthusiastic, relevant involvement of both board members and staff.
Family Day Care Service was transferred to the Province.
Home Management Training Program was developed.
1981 Child Welfare Services except adoption on Birdtail Sioux, Oak Lake and Sioux Valley Reserves was transferred to the Dakota Ojibway Child & Family Services. Adoption services were transferred about a year later.
Child Abuse Committee of the Western Judicial District was developed upon initiation of the Agency.
1982 Family Aide Program was initiated after a review of the Home Management Training Program.
Province imposed a moratorium on adoption placements out of the province. This arose from the Kimmelman Review.
1983 Family Re-unification Project was established. Agency purchased a house and placed a family of children together. Homemakers provided parenting and worked towards mother’s resumption of that role.
1984 Shared Social Worker program with Souris Valley School Division was started.
Family Resource Centre at 354 - 11th Street was opened.
Mother-Child Home Program was initiated. A “Toy Demonstration” program in which volunteers show mothers how to interact with their young children in a meaningful way using boks and toys. In 1998 renamed Parent-Child Home Program to reflect involvement of both parents.
West Region Child & Family Services assumed responsibility for child welfare service to Waywayseecappo, Gambler, Rolling River and Keeseekowenin Reserves.
1985 Shared Social Worker program was begun with Antler River Schol Division.
1986 Creation of ½ time volunteer coordinator position.
Board policies were clarified and became part of a new comprehensive Board Member’s Manual.
1987 Shared Social Workers program was expanded to include Pelly Trail School Division.
The agency became the first Child and Family Service agency in Manitoba to begin use of the provincial computerized information system computerized.
The agency completed the development of a Workload Measurement Tool which promised much towards more effective management.
1988 Property was purchased at 9th and Lorne Avenue in Brandon for the development of our expanded Family Resource Centre.
A Board Service Review Committee was established as a means of enabling clients to grieve their dissatisfactions with agency services. Clients were encouraged to discuss their concerns with staff first but appeal to the Board Committee was facilitated.
1989 Shared Social Worker Program was expanded to include Fort La Bosse School Division.
Frederick House (647 Frederick Street) was closed as a group home due to successful efforts in developing alternatives to group care.
Cooperative Living Program for young moms was begun. It operated for several months at 647 Frederick Street. The building was subsequently sold after the program closed.
Initiation of the Family Support Worker Program (October 1989)
1991 Shared Social Worker Program was expanded to include Turtle Mountain School Division.
Kinsmen House was closed as a group home but continued to be used as a four placement resource.
Patrick House was changed to a Level IV treatment group home.
Family Resource Centre was dedicated as the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre on December 2, 1991.
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba Foundation Inc. was incorporated and subsequently received its charitable number.
1992 Ken Knight became Executive Director of Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba.
Risk Evaluation System was introduced by the Province.
1993 Patrick House physically moved to 725 - 7th Street.
1020 - 8th Street was purchased to operate as a four placement specialized foster home.
1994 International Year of the Family.
Commissioned External review by Child and Family Services Research Group, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba of in-home support programs.
Child and Family Services Information System develops further so that each worker receives a computer station.
1995 November 10, 1995 Grand Opening of the new Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, 255 - 9th Street.
1996 Withdrawal from Shared Services Worker program by Turtle Mountain School Division.
Shared Services Worker Program initiated in Birdtail River School Division.
Provincial review of Child and Family Services Act.
Preschool Enrichment Program celebrated its 30th Anniversary.
Evelyn Isaac, the Preschool Director, wins the Child Welfare League of Canada 1996 Direct Service Award.
The Board decide at their October workshop to make significant changes to their governance process.
1997 Withdrawal from Shared Services Worker Program by Fort La Bosse and Pelly Traill School Divisions.
Victoria Day Care celebrates 25th Anniversary of service to the community.
Closure of 4 bed placement home at 248 - 13th Street.
The Board downsizes to 15 members.
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Reviewed June 2012
1998 Agency moved to new office premises at 800 McTavish Avenue in February.
Initiation of Early Start Program at Preschool and Victoria Day Care funded by Child and Youth Secretariat.
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba Foundation Inc. signs an agreement to become the community fundraising arm of the agency.
The mission statement was changed to read: To protect and promote the well-being of children and to strengthen families.
1999 Agency celebrated its Centennial with a multi-community birthday party and publication of a history book.
2000 A specialized staffed placement resource for two adoescent males was opened in a rental suite.
Province of Manitoba announced the starting of a process to enable aboriginal citizens to be served by aboriginal agencies throughout the Province. The process was to be completed by 2003.
2001 Cypress House’s program was changed to being a six placement resource for adolescent male sexual offenders.
2002 Margaret MacDonald became Chief Executive Officer of Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba
2004 In December, cases and resources were transferred to the new Aboriginal authorities and agencies as part of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative. CFS of Western Manitoba was designated as the Intake Agency on behalf of the four authorities in Westman.
2005 Dave McGregor became Chief Executive Officer of Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba.
2006 Roots of Empathy program started in partnership with the Brandon School Division and Healthy Child Manitoba.
2007 Preschool Enrichment Program was awarded the IODE National Centennial Award as a significant program promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
As part of the External review process conducted in the Child Welfare System in late 2006; the government announces the Changes for Children Initiative which outlines an extensive revival and re-structuring of the child welfare system.
2009 The Agency celebrated its 110th Anniversary; Parent Child Home Program celebrated their 25th Anniversary as did the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre.
2010 The mission statement was changed to read: Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba exists so that chlidren are safe and nurtured in strong, loving families within a community of carine people.
2012 The Victoria Day Care Centre celebrated with 40th Birthday.
105 Eligibility for Service
The Agency provides Designated Intake Services for all four authorities in the Westman area. Referrals can be effected by personal interview, letter or telephone call to the office.
As part of the Intake process, families complete the Authority Determination Protocol (ADP) in which they select the Authority from where they wish to receive services. Families have the right to choose. It is anticipated, that most families will choose to receive service from the Authority representing their cultural background. The Four Authorities are First Nations North; First Nations South; Metis and General.
106 Agency Governance
The Board of Directors governs the affairs of the agency. Staff and their immediate families are not eligible for membership on the Board of Directors. The Board and Management are no less committed to working with staff and being mindful of their responsibilities to staff as well as the children and families served by the agency.
November 2003
Revised June 2012