Aboriginal Supported Child Development & Aboriginal Infant Development
At Denisiqi the Aboriginal Infant Development (0-6) and Aboriginal Supported Child Development Programs (6-18) aims to accomplish the goals and milestones of development in a culturally sensitive and meaningful way. This program is offered in relationship with the caregivers of the child, understanding that the family of the child is the leading expert. We, at Denisiqi, acknowledge the importance of creating an inclusive program experience for all participants, understanding that it takes a community to raise a child.
What We Can Offer
One-to-one consultation with the AIDP/ASCD consultant
Home Visits Support the healthy attachment and inter-generational relationships within the family unit
Child Development focused workshops
Relational Child Development Assessments
Nutritional Supports
Advocacy on behalf of the family
Engaging Schools and Parents in developing wraparound support for the child
Provide Play Therapy tools for the child in their respective environments
Who Can Access the Program?
AIDP/ASCD serves children and families (0-18yrs) in the Tsilhqot'in and Ulkatchot'en territories. Children do not need to have a diagnosis to access this service.
Do I Need a Referral?
This program is voluntary and family-focused. You can contact the AIDP/ASCD consultant if your interested in accessing services.
What Services are Offered?
AIDP /ASCD Consultants support families by providing home visits, activity planning, and developmental and family needs assessments in culturally sensitive and meaningful ways. Consultants also assist families in accessing other health, social, educational and community services.
How to Connect?
Please connect with us through email, phone, or Facebook
Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Outreach Program
The Early Childhood Development Outreach program at Denisiqi is guided by 5 different components; Inclusion, Family Centered, Individual Planning, Child Development, and Community Based programming. From conception to 5 years are the most important and shaping years of a child's development. At Denisiqi we offer supports for those important early years to our relatives that live within the Williams Lake area.
What We Can Offer
Assistance and Support in finding safe childcare
Support and consultation with the childcare setting, creating a wraparound effect for the child
Individual Child Development planning with the Child's caregivers
Assistance accessing other communities through relation and referrals
Providing families with a development screening tool at the request of the family
Prenatal and Postnatal information
FASD-Education and pre-screening
Who Can Access the Program?
The Aboriginal Early Childhood Development program supports the Williams Lake community to deliver culturally enriched programming that supports the healthy development of the child. Families who take part in our program are Indigenous families that live off and on reserve.
AECD Outreach is currently running a Family Drop-In program open to families interested in taking part in building relation with others while also building up knowledge around parenting and childhood development. The program also offers the ?Inkwel Cafe, our Post-natal and Pre-natal program for parents who are expecting or have recently given birth.
Family Care & Family Support Workers Program
The Denisiqi Family Care Manager works with, and supports the work of our four Family Support Workers that work within the Tsilhqot'in Nen and Ulkatchot'en.
What We Can Offer
To support the Tsilhqot’in communities in navigating relations with the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD)
Our team meets regularly with MCFD Social Worker’s to review Ulkatcho/Tsilhqot’in caseloads in order to ensure the holistic care of the child
Our team also will support MCFD in identifying possible placement resources for Tsilhqot'in and Ulkatchot'en children in care of the Ministry
Support and advocate for Indigenous involvement in developing plans of care, encouraging the cultural needs of the child be wholly included
Support and attend family court with Ulkatchto/Tsilhqot’in families
Support families with referrals for the children and families with services that will promote the family goals
Communicate and provide educational workshops to our Family support staff of the Yunesit’in, Xeni Gwet’in, TsiDelDel, Tl’esqox and Ulkatcho communities
Provide information to children and families about activities around family development that works towards promoting the health and wellness of the family
Intake & Investigation
Support families as the MCFD Social workers investigate complaints of child abuse and neglect.
Case Planning
Assisting in:
The identification of the clients needs and barriers
Establishing specific long and short term goals for service and priorities
Negotiating a process for achieving goals (strategies, scheduling sessions as required time frames, involvement of extended family members and other agencies, etc.
organizing meetings and interviews with Social Workers and family members
Case Management
Assisting in:
Ensuring ongoing management with Social Workers
Providing consultation to other service providers as required
Arranging transportation for families to appointments in relation to Social Work cases or family support and child's safety plan
Communicating on-going needs of family/children with the Social Workers
Maintaining progress of clients
Court Preparation
Provide support and assist in preperation of clients outcomes of each court appearance. They will assist in ensuring clients have access to legal counsel. They will also liase with officers of the court.
Delegated Services
If you know of a child who may be in need of protection, call the MCFD Helpline for children at: 310-1234 From anywhere in BC, 24hrs a day, no area code needed.
Through our Delegation Services, we provide full child protection (C6), legal guardianship, (C4), and voluntary support (C3) services to Tsilhqot’in and Ulkatchot'en families. This includes services and programs open to other Indigenous communities who could benefit from our family-led, culturally grounded approach. Our main objective is to keep children and youth connected to their families and culture through 1-on-1 support or group programs.
What We're About
Denisiqi Services Society and the Social Work team are entrusted as the director with the responsibility for children with Continuing Custody Orders (CCO) who are residing in foster care homes within the local area and have registered status or family lineage to the Tsilhqot'in Nation and Ulkatchot'en Nations.
Standards of Service
Denisiqi Social Workers will preserve and promote the cultural identity of the child in care and provide services that keep the child involved in the community and traditions.
Each child in care will have a Comprehensive Plan of Care (CPOC) that meets the needs of the child while establishing the family and community's involvement and continued rights and shared responsibilities for the child's health, education and spiritual development. Children in care are entitled to be physically and emotionally safe, receive care consistent with their rights and be informed of their rights. Consistent with the child's best interest and need for stability and continuity of lifelong relationships;
Priority for a child's permanent home is with extended family
Within the Tsilhqot'in or Ulkatchot'en Nation
With another First Nations family if the child's own family or community is unable to assume the child's care
Denisiqi Social Workers will provide, promote and support opportunities for the child to maintain positive attachments with family or origin and connections with Tsilhqot'in or Ulkatchot'en heritage, spiritual beliefs and identity.
Voluntary Services Program
In addition to Guardianship Services, Denisiqi Delegated Services Team continues to provide:
Support Service Agreements for families seeking Respite Foster Care and Childcare Subsidy Referral for Social Needs
Non-Protection Voluntary Care Agreements (when a parent is temporarily unable to be there)
Special Needs Agreements (for children requiring specialized care) and;
Financial support to a friend/relative caring for a child under the Extended Family Program
Denisiqi Social Workers will provide, promote and support opportunities for the child to maintain positive attachments with family or origin and connections with Tsilhqot'in or Ulkatchot'en heritage, spiritual beliefs and identity.
Family Foster Care Homes
Voluntary Services and Guardianship Services depend on foster parents to assist the agency in meeting children's needs. Please call for information in becoming a foster parent in your community.
Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing
The Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing (AFGC) program is a part of our Delegated Agency services. This is a formal but culturally enhanced service where members of a child's family come together inclusively with the rest of the child's extended relations to create a safe plan for the child(ren) involved.
Goals
To create and develop a culturally inclusive plan that encourages the development of both family and community. We center this service around the belief that children are a gift from Creator.
Referral Process
MCFD Referrals for the Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, and Quesnel communities. Referrals can also be accepted from the Knucwentwecw Society, Cariboo Friendship Society, and Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association.
When to use AFGC
An AFGC can be utilized to create a Reunification plan where the children are in care or adopted can be reunited with their family. We also work with families to create Reintegration transition plans when it is time for the child to be transitioned back into their community and families.
Aboriginal Family Group Conferencing Process
A circle process is used to engage the families in a positive way. This includes a smudge, prayer, and followed up by a meal.
First Round - Each individual invovled will introduce themselves.
Second Round - We will share information about the case
Third Round - Family will share together in private time.
Fourth Round - The plan that has been carefully and sensitively put together will be presented.
Desired Outcomes
Protect the well-being of the child
Families maintain kinship
Approval of Care Plans
Reduce the number of children in care
Children remain with their families
Children are returned within 3 months following a conference
Children will exit successfully after a conference
Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Program (ACYMH)
The Wellness program provides support to Aboriginal children and youth and their families, by helping to improve their mental health and over all well-being.
The program maintains a focus on healing that incorporates both cultural and mainstream interventions. This program strives to facilitate a better awareness and understanding of colonization and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools.
What is ACYMH
Provides access for Indigenous children and youth to culturally relevant mental wellness programs. Consultation and education services to community agencies. Raise Awareness an increase knowledge about mental health and well-being.
Services
Individual Clinical Counselling
Family Counselling sessions
Group work and programs
Personal development workshops
Healing Circles for Tsilhqot’in & Ulkatchot’en families, as requested
And assist to make referrals to the Wellness Team for:
The Youth Services provides support to Aboriginal children and youth under the age of 19. School Outreach: Provides access for Indigenous children and youth to culturally relevant activities at outlying schools. Youth Outreach: Provides relation based supports to Youth ages 12-18 years old.
Goals
Our outreach team will strive to meet you where you're at and take care of your immediate needs. Building a safe trusting relations is one of our top priorities. We will support and connect you to resources in a way which works for you.
Programs and Activities
Youth Outreach
Academic Tutoring
Ice Hockey
Land Based Activities
Adulting 101
Ball Hockey
Equine/Horse Therapy
Desired Outcomes
Cultural connection
Reducing barriers
Cultivating life skills
Protect the well-being of the youth
Families maintain kinship
Connection to other helping professionals using a wraparound care model
Denisiqi Services Society along with the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre are pleased to bring the Indigenous Child & Youth Mobile Services directly in community to support Indigenous children and their families for greater health and well-being.
Mobile therapy is developmental services provided directly in communities. These services are culturally safe, trauma informed, and strength based.
Services
Occupational therapy
Physiotherapy
Speech therapy
Social supports
Sensory processing supports
Indigenous developmental consultants
Traditional parenting
Early years supports
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder supports
Behavioural supports
Family navigators
Eligibility
The mobile services is open to all Indigenous children and youth (under 19) and their families.
Referral process
You may contacts us by phone (250) 392-6500 or email:
