Programs

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.

Programs

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
& Voluntary 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.
Within our Guardianship Delegation Denisiqi provides legal guardianship services to children under a Continuing Custody Order (CCO) who were under the Director with the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) when granted a CCO. This is in addition to the services delivered under Voluntary Services Delegation.

What We're About

Denisiqi Services Society and the Delegated Services Society Team Social Workers are entrusted, as the director, with the responsibility for children with Continuing Custody Orders 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. 

Guardianship Standards of Services

Denisiqi Social Workers will preserve and promote the cultural identity of the child in care and provide services sensitive to the child's views, Tsilhqot'in or Ulkatchot'en heritage and spiritual beliefs. 

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.

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.

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.

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

A 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:
Pathways Program
Outreach at the Schools
High-Risk Youth Support
Community Support (Ice Hockey, Art etc.,)
Academic Tutoring (and supporting literacy programs)
Naŝlhiny “Horse” Therapy & Program
Reconciliation events with non-indigenous partner agencies
Summer Day Camps
Services with Cariboo Friendship Society

Eligibility

The Denisiqi ACYMH program is open to Indigenous children and youth (under 19) and their families. All services offered are at no cost to the client. 

Referral Process

You may contact us by phone, email, or fax.
Download Counselling Referral Form 

Youth Services

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

Schools Serviced

Nagwuntloo (Ulkatcho)
Tsi Del Del (Redstone)
Yunesit'in (Stone)
Naghtanequed (Xeni Gwet'in)
Alexis Creek
Columneetza
Marie Sharpe
Chilcotin Road
Anahim Lake

Referral Process

You may contact us by phone, email, or fax.
Download Outreach Referral Form HereDownload Program Referral Form Here

Cultural Learning Centre

Services Offered

Create resources to assist with the development of Denisiqi cultural programming and employee orientation
Develop Tsilhqot'in curriculum and programming
Ensure the integrity of Tsilhqot'in language and teachings in the running of a cultural learning center
Participate in the Plan of Care Development with Denisiqi's Delegated Agency
Develop Family Trees and Family Connections for Tsilhqot'in children in care
Assist the Denisiqi Delegated Agency with bringing Children in Care back to family and community
Integrate culture into the support services to children, families and caregivers
Work with the clinicians and their clients to integrate cultural and therapeutic practices

Jordan's Principle

Jordan's Story

Jordan River Anderson was from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. He was born with complex medical needs that required him to stay in the hospital from birth. When he was two years old the doctors felt he was able to leave the hospital and receive care in a medically trained family home nearby. Neither the provincial nor the federal governments would resolve who would pay for at home care he needed. Jordan died in a hospital in 2005, never having had the chance to return to his family home, his First Nations, and his loved ones.

What we are about

Jordan's Principle provides access to services and products for First Nations children ages 0-18 with a range of health, social and education programs, services and supports.

Goals

To ensure First Nations children get the help they need when they need it.

Services 

Sharing information with parents and caregivers about how Jordan's Principle can help.
One on one assistance with Jordan's Principle applications. 
Assistance with gathering all documentation for application process.
Support families to find and access services and products.
Promote Jordan’s Principle to individuals and/or organizations that support First Nations children.

Who is this for?

First Nations Children/Youth on and off reserve ages 0-19

Examples of what is offered

Health
Mobility aids
Assessments and screenings 
Mental health services 
Social
Land-based activities
Respite care 
Personal support worker 
Education
Tutoring services
Teachers’ assistants 
Assistive technology and electronics 
Culture
Specialized programs based on culture beliefs and practices
Services from elders
Land based activities 

How to connect

Connect with the Jordan's Principle team by contacting Denisiqi Services Society through email or by phone.

To learn more about Jordan’s Principle or go to www.jordansprinciple.ca

Denisiqi Services Society

Phone: (250) 392 6500
Toll Free: 1 (877) 251 6566
Prevention & Support Fax: (250) 392 6501
Delegated Services Fax: (250) 392-6510
Email: administration@denisiqi.org
240B North Mackenzie Avenue 
Williams Lake, BC V2G 1N6
Privacy StatementTerms

Facebook Posts

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons Load more
© 2020 Copyright Denisiqi Services Society. Powered with O-Netrix Solutions.
chevron-rightplus-circletimes-circlecircle-o