Serpent River First Nation
Community Development
SRFN Community Development Department is overseen by Community Development Manager and is responsible for the process of planning, organizing, monitoring, and evaluating human and financial resources in order to achieve the program’s goals and objectives in the most effective and efficient manner in education and social services policy sectors.
Programs include:
- Education
- Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training
- Day Care Program
- Niigaaniin Ontario Works
- The Community Library
Education and Library
Serpent River First Nation Education Program includes elementary, secondary, post-secondary education services.
Our Team
Education Program Coordinator – Diane Meawasige
education@serpentriverfn.com
Education Support/Counsellor – Steve Long
education.counsellor@serpentriverfn.com
Education Reception/Clerk – Amber Simpson
education.clerk@serpentriverfn.com
Traditional Student Mentor – Alyssa Traves
traditionalstudentmentor@serpentriverfn.com
Librarian – Karel Grant
library@serpentriverfn.com
About A.S.E.T.S.
Serpent River First Nation ASETS program delivers employment and training support and opportunities with a specific focus to removing barriers to employment that is intended to increase their ability to secure long-term employment. This program is intended to help members who have difficulty finding employment enhance their skills through training programs and/or on-the-job training.
Our Team
Employment Coach – Carol Moore
About Day Care Centre
Serpent River First Nation Day Care Centre is a Licenced First Nation Early Learning program which aims to provide stimulating experiences for your child within the context of a safe, relaxing, healthy and positive child care setting. In addition to fostering independence, self-esteem, curiosity and cultural awareness, we strive to provide a strong foundation for academic learning. Families are welcomed and participate in their child’s learning and will help staff see more of the potential which their child can accomplish. The staff at the centre are educators who will inspire the children and allow the learning to take place at the child’s pace.
Serpent River First Nation Day Care was built on the vision of a small group of working parents and has a long history of providing quality, holistic and culturally relevant child care dating back to 1992. Since the doors opened on April 22, 1993, the Day Care facility and programming has expanded to support children and families and build partnerships with relevant support service providers (on and off reserve) to ensure no child or family is without needed specialized services where necessary and appropriate. The Serpent River First Nation Day Care was developed to assist community members who are seeking a quality program for their children ages 6 months to 6 years.
The program is designed to provide an early learning program for the working parents or guardians, those who are in school or taking training courses, as well as provide relief for parents who are unemployed or not enrolled any training or school courses. It is intended to help those families overcome barriers for training and employment, while encouraging social development and well-being among our early learners.
As the Day Care continues to improve best practices, it is guided by an Emergent Curriculum that is child-initiated and follows the four foundations of the Ministry of Education’s framework for early learning; “How Does Learning Happen?” The four foundations of HDLH: Well-being, Belonging, Expression and Engagement fosters independence, self-esteem, curiosity, and reflects the 7 Grandfather teachings. It is a strong foundation for academic learning and encompasses a more natural exploration letting a child’s curiosity lead.
Children come from families from all walks of life and circumstances. Serpent River First Nation Day Care staff members believe in an approach to well-being which begins with quality services and programming that nurtures and encourages life-long learning, prevention education, active living, socialization, positive attitudes, independence, self-esteem, healthy choices, as well as a consistent connection to the Anishnawbek culture, language and teachings.
A licenced day care is highly recognized by funders and the SRFN Day Care ensures the criteria set out in the licensed review are followed and best practices continue to improve. Policy and Procedures are essential to the process. Quality day care program is regulated by Provincial and Federal standards and provides a safe and healthy place for children and staff in which they can flourish.
Our Team
Day Care Administrator – Donna Meawasige
daycare@serpentriverfn.com
The Mino-Bimaadizidaa Program
“Let’s All Live Well”
Mino-Bimaadizidaa provides an understanding and awareness of how self-identity (self -concept, self-image and self-esteem) influence our life choices. The program provides life skills, cultural awareness and alternative ways to live a healthy lifestyle as well as to cope and adapt with life stressors.
“My perspective on life has changed. Before this course I had nothing to do and felt like I couldn’t move forward.”
Program goals include:
- Enhance and develop self-identity and problem solving behaviours
- Increase communication skills
- Develop confidence to dream and state goals
- Develop new attitudes about their self-worth and self-concept
- Express strengths and needs
- Open doors to new opportunities
For more information or to enquire about the Mino-Bimaadizidaa program, please visit us at: http://niigaaniin.com/mino-bimaadizidaa/
Niigaaniin Ontario Works
Niigaaniin Ontario Works primary services include Financial Support, Employment Assistance and additional Services. Niigaaniin program is based on community specific needs and programs are delivered through client case management.
Employment Assistance
Employment Assistance helps become job ready, find employment and stay employed. Niigaaniin staff will work with you to determine what your employment needs are and help you develop a plan that is suited to your skills, experience and circumstances.
HOW CAN NIIGAANIIN HELP YOU OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE?
- Job readiness workshops, like job searching, resume writing, preparing for an interview.
- Opportunities to build your skills through volunteering through the Community Placement Program.
- Referrals to training programs to help build your skills and enhance your employability.
- Referrals to paid employment and training opportunities, such as the Enhanced Employment Placement Program.
- Referrals to job counselling to help you make sense of your employment opportunities.
- Referrals to educational programs that will help you obtain your grade 12 diploma or Grade Equivalent Diploma (GED).
Financial Support
Basic needs, such as food and clothing for individuals and their families, shelter costs based on the size of the family, which includes rent, heat, hydro, gas, water, sewage, and house insurance.
Eligibility For Assistance
Eligibility is based on several considerations, including:
- The size of your household family.
- Your household’s total shelter costs, including energy use.
- The income of everyone in your household.
- Any assets owned by everyone in your household, including vehicles, properties, RRSPs, etc.
- That you and everyone in your household, who is at least 18 years of age and employable, participate in approved Employment Assistance Programs.
Transitional Support Funding (TSF) – Shelter Related
Niigaaniin provides financial assistance (up to $1,500 per 12-month period) to current Ontario Works and OSDP Clients as well as Low Income Applicants.
TSF assistance is intended for clients to:
- Avoid evictions and disconnections by helping with rental and energy arrears.
- Obtain and retain housing by helping with rent and energy deposits and energy top-ups.
- Establish a new residence by helping with the purchase of essential furniture and appliance needs.
- Relocated to better or more suitable accommodations for educational or employment needs.
- Improve living circumstances or resolve health and safety needs, including home repairs.
Extended Health Benefits
Determined base upon need, Niigaaniin provides various health benefits (up to $400 per fiscal year) to individuals and families with high health costs, such as:
- Basic Dental Care.
- Diabetic Supplies.
- Eyeglasses.
- Prosthetic appliances (i.e. hearing aids).
- Prescription Drugs.
- Surgical supplies and dressings.
- Transportation for medical appointments.
Funerals And Burials
Determined based upon need, Niigaaniin provides funeral and burial benefits for up to $2,250.
Non-Health Related
Determined based upon need, Niigaaniin provides assistance (up to $200 per fiscal year) to help you receive training, travel for non-health related reasons, moving expenses and any other special service authorized by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Our Team
Niigaaniin Program Manager – Dawn Meawasige
Niigaaniin Case Worker – Jerry Commanda
Food Bank Operator – Sherri Pelletier
Source: http://serpentriverfn.com/meetup/community-development-department/
Registered Early Childhood Educator
The Educator is responsible for children in all aspects related to the development of their academic learning skills, hygiene, health, well-being, and safety.
Drug Strategy Coordinator
The Drug Strategy Coordinator will work under the general guidance of the Mental Health Clinic Manager and Health Services Department Manager.