The Power of Unity, The Dignity of Difference
Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin (Social Services Framework)
Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin (Social Services Framework) provides assistance to families from the Matawa First Nations (both on and off-reserve) who are at-risk of child welfare involvement, have open files, or have had children apprehended. It also supports families from the Matawa First Nations with Customary Care Agreements, Kinship Agreements, and advocacy.
Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin works with families from the Matawa First Nations to support them in navigating the child welfare system through prevention, planning and goal setting using community-based, culturally appropriate/responsive care models for children with a focus on prevention and family reunification. Opportunities are also provided for care givers and children to participate in traditional parenting programs, life skills, cultural programs and other group programs.
** New Program as of Apr 1, 2023 **
Our Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin Next Steps Program is a post-majority support services assist youth aging out of care and young adults formerly in care, from the age of majority up to and including the age of 25.
Post-majority support services aim to support the safety and well-being of First Nations youth and young adults in a way that is: culturally appropriate in their self-identified best interest provided on the basis of substantive equality.
The goal of post-majority support services is to provide wrap-around support that meets the distinct needs of First Nations youth and young adults and promotes and supports holistic positive outcomes for thriving youth and young adults.
Supports could include help with:
- housing
- food
- employment and financial security
- mental health, wellness, and addiction supports
- healthy relationships
- Principles
- the culturally-based safety and wellbeing of First Nations youth aging out of care and young adults formerly in care is paramount
- First Nations youth aging out of care and young adults formerly in care are to be holistically supported in (re)connecting meaningfully with their family, as well as, have access to supports that promote reunification and/or repatriation
- First Nations youth aging out of care and young adults formerly in care are to have:
- culturally appropriate services and supports that meet their needs and the standard of substantive equality
- stability and connection in areas of housing, employment, education, mental health, and wellbeing
- access to financial support
- the opportunity to remain connected and actively engaged in their communities, language, and culture
- holistic support with an approach that recognizes historical and contemporary disadvantage and contextual and cultural differences
- access to supports that promote safety, security, and stability to develop necessary life skills
Post-majority support services are youth-and-young-adult-centered and needs based:
to support thriving First Nations youth and young adults during their transition to independence, their self-identified best interests, including their physical, emotional, cultural, relational, and psychological safety, security, and wellbeing are paramount considerations
in supporting First Nations young adults formerly in care, unique supports may be required because of the time between when the young adult was in care and the point in time they are accessing post-majority support services
Youth and young adults accessing post-majority support services include:
- youth who are in FNCFS care approaching the age of majority
- A youth is in FNCFS care when the care costs for the child or youth are funded by the FNCFS Program
- youth who were in FNCFS care and who exercised a voluntary care provision to leave care prior to the age of majority)
individuals who: have reached the age of majority are under the age of 26 or the eligibility age for post-majority services, and were in FNCFS care on the day they reached the age of majority
The Next Steps program envisions a world where all youth regardless of past child welfare involvement are prioritized and provided with the same opportunities as other youth and young adults in Canada. The Next Steps program is focused on meeting each youths’ unique goals, strength-based, trauma informed support, distinct needs and self-identified goals, autonomy of service plan. If you would like more information or to complete an intake please call (807) 698-7406.
VIEW SERVICES PROFILE – OCT 2021 – HERE
To access services and complete an intake, contact them at:
1-807-620-6233 or 1-807-344-4575 (ask for the Intake Worker)
VIEW BIRTH ALERT BROCHURE HERE
VIEW SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT-IN-PRINICPLE REGARDING COMPENSATION FOR FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN
WHERE TO GET FOOD IN THUNDER BAY 2023
More information coming soon.
