Family Support Program

 

The Family Support Program is a voluntary prevention service that works in collaboration with Nogdawindamin to ensure that culturally appropriate support services are provided to children, youth and families.

 

The Family Support Program provides support and assistance to high-risk families in identifying their strengths and weaknesses and work with them in striving to reach their goals. Family Support Workers can provide assistance and support to children and families to resolve child welfare crisis and co-operatively plan and carry out actions designed to divert future and/or similar crisis.

 

Services may include:

 

 

Family Support Workers also provide primary and secondary prevention programming to clients within the community. Programming focuses on child and family relationships and may include programming such as; Triple P Parenting and Parents as Teachers.

 

Family Well-Being Program

 

The Family Well-Being Program is designed to improve the outcomes and opportunities for children and youth by using holistic, community-driven approach that keeps child connected to their families, communities, and culture through programming.

 

The program is prevention focused, community-led and will address the root causes of violence and trauma.  The objective is to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in child welfare and youth justice systems.

 

Core Program Components

 

Family Well-Being Worker

 

Atikameksheng has a designated resource worker to support the community.

 

Safe Spaces

 

Safe Spaces are created for Indigenous child, youth and family members to gather and support prevention and early intervention efforts. One on one support, family circles, gatherings, and ceremonies are examples of programs and services provided by the Family Well-Being Worker conducted in areas identified as safe places.

 

Community-Based Programming

 

Culturally safe programming is delivered for Indigenous children, youth and families who have experienced or are at risk of violence.  The programming is designed to suit the needs of each individual Anishinabek Nation community and what the community is interested in learning. The Family Well-Being Worker brings traditional knowledge to the forefront of the community so that the knowledge can be continued on for generations to come. Programming such as land-based learning activities and traditional crafting workshops are examples of the programming provided through the Family Well-Being Worker.