According to a news release, Nunavut’s Department of Family Services (DFS) has set up territory-wide “community consultations and engagement sessions” to get feedback on developing the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Wellness Strategic Action Plan — an “Inuit-led and Inuit-informed approach” to “[breaking] the cycle of multi-generational trauma from family disruptions.”
“Community collaboration is essential to ensure Family Wellness activities align with the needs of Nunavut families, children, youth and the unique needs of each community,” states the release.
The DFS is also inviting interested residents to complete a confidential survey on their experiences with the family services system.
Developing a framework for a strategic plan came after questions were once again raised as to how the DFS operates.
In May 2023, Nunavut’s government tabled a report from Canada’s Auditor General, Karen Hogan — an “urgent” detailing of gaps in how the DFS supports families and children in care.
According to a news release from that time, Hogan’s audit found the DFS to have not always responded to reports of suspected harm, failed to complete investigations and “did not monitor the welfare of children following interventions.”
It also found it to have fallen short in supervising children and youth in care and had gaps when it came to looking after the occupational well-being of employees.
“Early audit findings were so alarming that the Office of the Auditor General immediately raised concerns in letters to the department, citing the inadequate response to reported cases of child maltreatment, the insufficient supervision of children and youth in care, and the gaps in meeting obligations for the health and safety of employees,” states the release.
Causes for the shortcomings include funding issues, failure to hire and retain permanent staff, a lack of housing and office space and problems with the timely training of front-line workers.
Hogan called for a number of changes in how the DFS operates and urged for immediate action to be taken.
She also noted this was the third time since 2011 that the auditor general’s office had raised concerns.
“The departments agreed to the recommendations in our previous [two] reports, but we have yet to see vulnerable children receive the protection they deserve,” said Hogan, at the time.
The community consultation sessions will run from June 17 to July 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and take place in Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Qikiqtarjuaq, Arctic Bay, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and the capital, Iqaluit.
Further details can be found here.
As for the survey, respondents are asked various questions about the availability, accessibility and quality of child and family services in the territory.
Upon completion of the survey, respondents can enter a draw for a chance to win a prize. It is not specified in the survey’s introduction what that prize is.
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