Background and Analysis of Children in Care.

Recommendation:
That the following report be received for information.

Report Summary

This report provides an analysis of the 4,000-plus children in care in Edmonton and possible implications for the City of Edmonton.

Previous Council/Committee Action

  • At the July 8, 2002, Community Services Committee meeting, this item was postponed to the August 19, 2002, Community Services Committee meeting.
  • At the June 24, 2002, Community Services Committee meeting, this item was postponed to the July 8, 2002, Community Services Committee meeting.

Report

Caseload Background and Analysis

  • The caseload information obtained for this report comes from two sources: Alberta Children’s Services and Ma'mōwe Child and Family Services Authority.
  • Based on average monthly cases, between 1999 and 2002 the child welfare caseload of Ma'mōwe Child and Family Services Authority (Ma'mōwe) increased by 21% from 3,555 to 4,297. Between June 2001 and March 2002 the caseload was reduced from 4,520 to 4,185, a decrease of 7.4%. It is too soon to tell if this is a sustainable downward trend.
  • In March 2002 there were 4,192 children on the Ma'mōwe caseload. 1,819 were in care of their families, 1,501 were in foster care, and 872 were living in government approved arrangements such as group homes and secure treatment.
  • 58.9% of children on the caseload were “in care” of a Director of Child Welfare while conversely, 41.1% were not in-care.
  • Aboriginal children comprised 36.4% of the child welfare caseload although Aboriginal children were only about 6.9% of the region’s children (1996 Census of Canada). 891 child welfare cases (March 2002) involved children who are Status Indians (21.2% of the total caseload) while those who self-identify as Indian were only about 2% of the Edmonton population.
  • For the period April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001, Ma’mōwe conducted 8,050 investigations (not necessarily all different children). In 60% of investigations (4,894 investigations) child welfare involvement was not required as there was no need or the need was not substantiated. The most frequent reason for child welfare intervention was “Guardian unable/unwilling to provide necessities of life” (1,327 investigations, 16.5%).
  • There are high concentrations of child welfare cases in many neighbourhoods where there are also high concentrations of other social, economic and demographic indicators (e.g. low income, low education, and high number of divorced persons). Attachment 1 provides further analysis of the child welfare caseload.

Implications for The City of Edmonton

  • The City of Edmonton has no direct responsibility for child welfare matters, as child welfare is a Provincial responsibility. However, the City has responsibility for preventive social services through the Provincial Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program in partnership with voluntary community organizations. Approximately 79% of FCSS expenditures were directed to programs for children and their families in 2001.
  • There is an expectation on the part of the Ministry of Children’s Services, especially as FCSS funding to the City of Edmonton has been increased by $2.5 million for 2002 (approximately $3.3 million for 2003), that the City of Edmonton will partner with Ma’mōwe Child and Family Services Authority. Alberta Ministry of Children’s Services expects some of the new resources to lead towards achieving better outcomes for children and their families. The Ministry will begin to look for improved outcomes (i.e. reduced caseloads) within the next ten months.
  • Ma’mōwe is beginning to involve the Community Services Department in planning implementation of its new response model – an approach aimed at intake and service improvement. It is interested in developing partnerships with other organizations in areas such as intake and case co-ordination. Ma’mōwe held a meeting of potential partners to share its plans for further development of its response model on May 21, 2002. The City of Edmonton has a stake in supporting the successful implementation of its response model as child welfare issues affect a large number of citizens. Many of the families and children who are part of the Ma’mōwe caseload may also be families who receive services from the Community Services Department.
  • The City of Edmonton has an advocacy role with other orders of government to help ensure that the needs of Edmontonians are met. Advocating with Federal and Provincial governments for programs that prevent social problems, including child welfare concerns, should continue. Through membership on the Inter-City Forum on Social Policy and the AUMA Task Force on Housing and Social Development, the City of Edmonton advocates with other cities on issues such as Child Welfare.

Background Information Attached

  1. Child Welfare Caseload Background and Analysis

Background Information Available on Request

  1. City of Edmonton Submission to the Child Welfare Act Review

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