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By Paul Hucul
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VACFSS: A Story of Success Through Wise
PracticesPresented by: Paul Hucul
Background
• VACFSS incorporated in 1992• Largest urban Child Welfare
Agency in Canada• Serves Aboriginal children and families
in the City of Vancouver (COV)• 11,140 Aboriginals reside in the COV*
• 1981 registered bands in BC**2006 census
Snapshot of VACFSS
• 154 employees• Delegated at Child Protection Level
• 33 million dollar budget• 476 Children in Care
• 200 Foster Parent Homes• Unionized Environment (BCGEU)
Path to a Successful Delegated Urban Based Aboriginal Agency
Specific Challenges
• Change management – cataclysmic change
• Family Support Model to a legislated Model of Child Welfare
• Enormous staffing growth• Funding negotiations
• Incorporating Aboriginal Best Practice• Diverse urban cultural environment• Development of cultural competency
The Seven Key Success Factors
Steps to Success: Aboriginal Best Practices
Step 1:Identity and Culture
Identity and Culture
• Cultural competency as the pathway• Recognition of Aboriginal diversity
• Aboriginal World View Model• Traditional teachers, elders and
knowledge keepers• Systematically integrated culture
• Ground culture in events
Step 2: Leadership (Siiyamints)
Leadership (Siiyamints)
• Development of strongAboriginal leadership
• Cloaked in the bestowed name “Siiyamints”
• Guided by the Chieftain Stick spirit• Development of specific
characteristics of successful leadership
Value Driven Leadership
1.Humility2.Integrity3.Strength – Based
Practice4.Belonging5.Respect
Characteristics of VACFSS Leadership
• Value driven• Emphasis on culture
• Flexibility• Resilience
• Utilization of elder/knowledge keeper model
• Love of VACFSS
Step 3: Strategic Vision and Planning (2005 – present)
Strategic Vision and Planning
The VACFSS vision:
“A balanced and harmonious Aboriginal Community”
Six Strategic Priorities
1. Decrease the number of Aboriginal children in continuing
care2. Develop a full range of child,
youth and family services3. Develop and implement a culturally
and spiritually appropriate system of care
Six Strategic Priorities cont’d
4. Ensure strong governance of the organization
5. Develop and implement effective communication strategies
6. Develop and implement strategic and
risk management strategies
Step 4: Governance and Management
Governance
• Establishment of strong board with quality and talented directors having
long tenure• Utilized the Carver Model of
Governance and presently the Complimentary Model
• Have own governance policy• All Board have been provided
training by expert advisors
Management
• Appointed Managers who have life experience, high qualifications, and who bring wisdom, knowledge and
integrity• Development of efficacy• Development of capacity
• “Investment in Excellence” – Pacific Institute
Step 5: Accountability and Stewardship
Accountability and Stewardship
• Internal audits• Financial audits
• External Operational and Practice audits
• BOD/Management planning sessions• Strong Policy and Procedures gave a
framework to accountability
Step 6: Performance Evaluations
Annual Performance Evaluations
• CEO evaluated by board• Managers evaluated by CEO/DOP
• Supervisors evaluated by managers• Employees evaluated by supervisors
Step 7: Collaboration, Partnership and Good Relationships
Collaboration, Partnership and Good Relationships
• MCFD – strong working committees• Vancouver Aboriginal community
• Aboriginal agencies within Vancouver• Aboriginal communities throughout
BC
Specific Key Practices:VACFSS Management
• Established strong business plan• Developed strong financial
infrastructure• Developed strong recruitment
and hiring practices• Re-engineered organizational
structure to facilitate culture• Deliver extensive organizational
training• Developed a model for a
welcoming work environment
Key Characteristics of the Collective Spirit
• Value driven• Belief in Aboriginal self determination
• Indomitable spirit• Love of Aboriginal children and
families• Love of VACFSS• Love of Culture
Future Challenges
• Sustain sufficient funding• Recruitment and hiring of
Aboriginal employees• Succession planning for
Aboriginal leadership• Assuming Adoption delegation
Future Challenges (cont’d)
• Youth services• Reducing the number of children in continuing care
• Increasing demand for services
“Fortune Favours the prepared mind”
For more information pleasevisit our website:
www.vacfss.com