Pubdate: Tue, 04 Nov 2003
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION MAIN CHILD WELFARE THEMES

Like their counterparts across the province, aboriginal communities in the 
Okanagan are looking at how the delivery of child welfare services should 
change.

The Aboriginal Peoples Family Accord is working towards securing more input 
for aboriginal people, including First Nations, urban aboriginal 
communities and the Metis, concerning the health and safety of their 
children and youth.

Currently, six APFA zone facilitators are gathering community feedback 
which will form the first draft of a service plan. This document will be a 
template for how services should change, including child protection, foster 
care and youth justice.

"By far and away, the main theme of the focus groups is that the first area 
we need to address is mental health which includes alcohol and drug 
addictions," said Jim MacArthur, a zone facilitator.

"Mental health is really the foundation of rebuilding the rest. There's 
grief and loss. For example, there are too many 13-year-olds who have been 
to 10 funerals in their community. Grief also comes from other losses such 
as moving from their community and dropping out of school."

To generate community input, MacArthur is facilitating an early childhood 
development focus group Nov. 3, a youth justice focus group Nov. 7 and a 
mental health focus group with the date to be announced.

He is also organizing two gatherings, through the Okanagan Nation Alliance, 
Nov. 27 to 28 and Dec. 3 to 4.

MacArthur will also make presentations at a social workers conference Nov. 
17 and at an Interior Health Authority conference Nov. 24 in Kelowna.

Other zone facilitators in the Interior have indicated a need to revisit 
programs like youth justice with sentencing circles, making sure children 
leaving care have the like skills necessary for entering adulthood and the 
importance of elder's role.

"Communities are starting to imagine more culturally empowering and 
holistic services and supporting these with increased community 
responsibility," said Leslie Varley, APFA implementation manager.

"There is discussion about the need to decolonize and to move away from 
punitive style programs, like taking children away from families, to 
empowering programs which help families heal and build strength."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager