Foster Care System in Crisis: Review Panel

Foster Care System in Crisis: Review Panel

Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 16:38

The Saskatchewan Child Welfare Review Panel report released today says the system is in “crisis” and says more responsibility needs to be given to First Nations and Metis when it comes to child welfare and preventative family services.

The panel, made up of the new Children’s Advocate Bob Pringle, Howard Cameron, April Durocher and Carol Skelton, interviewed more than 1,000 people, and determined the province’s current foster care system “cannot continue as it exists.”

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations made numerous presentations to the panel, and Vice-Chief Dutch Lerat is pleased the report reflects those presentations.

He didn’t want to comment much more, because the FSIN will formally respond to the report on Monday, but he did say it’s important the extended family be given consideration before a child is placed in foster care.

Out of 12 recommendations in the report, four are specifically for increased recognition of First Nations and Metis involvement.

The report says First Nations and Metis children are over-represented because their families are more likely to be poor, suffer from inadequate housing, lower education and addictions.