Native Child and Family Services of

Toronto Syvil Viola Rizell

Amena

AGENDA History Mandate Services Barriers and Community Outreach/Follow-up Overall Experience

HISTORY Native Child and Family Services of

Toronto (NCFST) was founded in 1986.

The Toronto’s Native community was concerned about children dealing with issues such as poverty, addictions, family violence and homelessness.

The Members of the Toronto’s Native community wanted to offer services that are family and child focused, general in their orientation, integrated and preventative with a strong Native cultural base as their foundation.

The developmental phase took place during 1985 to 1988. They set the bylaws, a mission statement and service objectives.

The agency presented their service plan to the Ministry of Community and Social Services in January 1988 and funding was provided on April 1, 1988.

Major Funders of the agency are: Province of Ontario United Way Toronto The City of Toronto The Toronto Community Foundation The Royal Bank

In 2004, after almost 20 years of negotiating a mandate under the Child and Family Services Act, NCFST became a full Children's Aid Society.

12 agencies in Canada.

MANDATE“Native child and family services of Toronto Strives to provide a life of

quality, well-being, caring and healing for our children and families in

Toronto native community. We do this by creating a service model, that is

culture based and respects the values of native people, the extended family, and the right to self-determination”

YOUTH DROP-IN CENTRE In the drop-in centre the youth are

invited to spend time at the centre and they engage with one of the staff in finding assistance with what they need.

The drop-in hours are from Monday to Friday 8:00am to 9:00pm and from Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm.

CHILD CARE The child care program is open to all

cultural ethnicities. They are a licensed centre for children to 0-6 years with 56 subsidized and fee paying spaces.

SERVICES

ABORIGINAL ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRE This Centre is a place for parents, caregivers and their

children to have fun and make new friends while learning and growing together.

Child up to age 6 and their parents or caregivers take part in different programs and activities together free of charge.

ABORIGINAL HEAD START Building Strong Spirits is a free school readiness program. They provide a happy, safe, relaxed learning environment for

children with an Aboriginal background aged 2 to 6 years and their families.

They teach cultural awareness, values, languages, music and craft.

OTHER SCARBOROUGH

SERVICESPrograms for Children and Youth Sports programs, including judo,

swimming, boxing, volleyball, basketball

Dance programs including Thunderbirds Dance Group and traditional dance

Arts and drama Homework Club (after school

program) Summer camp Girls’ Groups (ages 8-11 and 12-

15) Young Warriors Club Youth Group

Cultural Programs Hand drumming Full Moon ceremonies Sessions with elders Sweat lodge ceremonies Visiting elders Ojibway languageHealing and Support Addictions counselling Individual and family

counselling Case management Advocacy

Programs for Adults/Parents General Education Diploma Community Kitchen Early Years Volunteer program Education and training

programs Food Help Women’s wellness (YMCA) Men’s group Seniors' teaFamily Activities Family recreational swim Craft nights

Case management Advocacy Group programs such as

Strengthening Families Referrals to other resourcesCommunity Activities Weekly newsflash Large community forums Drum socials Community barbecues Arts, drama and dance

performances Community Council

First come first serve basis Some programs are

priority based for instance the aboriginal head start there is a priority checklist and a waitlist.

The agency can only accommodate a certain amount of people.

There is no follow-up after you leave the agencies.

BARRIERS AND COMMUNITY

The building is not noticeable and there are barely any signs around.

Inside it was very narrow and the building was small and not able to accommodate a lot of people.

Programs are opened to the Scarborough community but the Aboriginal people would be prioritized.

They do not really advertise there agency.

OUTREACH/FOLLOW-UP

The agency has a youth outreach worker who promotes the program.

There is no follow-up after the program it is people’s decisions if they want to stay or go.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE Keith accommodated us and took

us to his office while we asked him various questions.

After asking Keith questions he then gave us a tour around the agency.

Keith took us to all the rooms in the building and talked about what each room was used for.

After the tour Keith gave us his calling card and told us to apply when we were done our program.

Keith also gave us a package which was filled with a variety of native songs.

THANK YOU GIFT

ANIMOTOhttps://animoto.com/play/SwfimR8vh9kj71P1CJEfgA

REFERENCES Make great videos. Easily. (2014, January 1). Retrieved

November 3, 2014, from www.animoto.com Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (2011,

January 1). Retrieved November 2, 2014, from www.native.org

ANY QUESTIONS?