Reports and recommendations from a focus group and consultations with child welfare agencies are expected by the end of this year on alternatives the province can consider in moving away from birth alerts.
A birth alert is a notification of potential dangers to an infant or expectant mother, but does not always lead to child apprehension.
“Birth alerts does not mean a child comes into the care of the Ministry. This just means we’ve identified as a Ministry or an organization, community-based or medical community that they’ve identified that a mom might need some help,” stated Social Services Minister Paul Merriman.
While Sask. has committed to examining this practice, British Columbia has announced it would cease it.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is calling for an end to birth alerts as it targets vulnerable or marginalized women, especially First Nations women.
“We are strongly urging Saskatchewan Social Services and Saskatchewan hospitals to reconsider their continued practice of flagging apprehending infants at birth,” Chief Bobby Cameron explained. “It shows a direct lack of respect for our families and the Inherent and Treaty Rights of our women and children. Our children deserve to be in their own homes and communities where they can learn their language, culture and traditions.”
Reports indicate that in 2015-2018, approximately 150 children of nearly 600 alerts were brought into care.
In 2018, there were nearly one-third of apprehensions to alerts, with similar statistics in 2017.
While the provincial government examines those options it is funding groups to be more supportive to at-risk mothers. Sanctum 1.5 in Saskatoon just celebrated its one year anniversary claiming to have prevented nearly two dozen apprehensions through supportive housing and programs for mothers in pre-and post-natal care.
“We have done some things to make sure that mom’s get the help they need,” said Merriman.
“This practice discriminates and targets First Nations women and families. We applaud the BC Government for moving towards a system that will help families and focus on preventative measures that offer prenatal supports and services to mothers who need or want it. We need this same system and shift in focus in Saskatchewan,” said FSIN Vice Chief Morley Watson.