Thessalon First Nation
Niigaaniin
The Niigaaniin Program is an "active" social assistance program with an emphasis on providing support to First Nation Communities and their citizens. Our program is the implementation of the Ontario Works legislation with culturally appropriate provisions. Rates, eligibility and program parameters are established by the Ontario Works program. Our primary services include "Financial Support", "Employment Assistance" and "Life Skills".
The Niigaaniin program strives to:
- Respect an individual's dignity.
- Enhance a participant's self-esteem.
- Encourage independence.
- Provide supports to help participants prepare for, find and keep jobs.
- Provide culturally appropriate programs and services based on the needs of the participants and the realities of the local labor market within the community.
For further information please contact:
Bobbi Jo McColman, Niigaaniin/Membership Coordinaor
bmccolman.tfn@vianet.ca
Phone: 705-842-2323
Fax: 705-842-2332
Christina Agawa
Clinical Addictions Services Coordinator
473 Hwy 17 West, Cutler, Ontario P0P 1B0
NSTC: 705-844-2340, Ext. 366
Cell: 705-862-1039
Fax: 705-692-1594
Email: christina@niigaaniin.com
Niigaaniin Support Programs
Niigaaniin Program is the implementation of the Ontario Works legislation that is culturally appropriate and based on community specific needs that are delivered through a client case management model within the eight North Shore First Nations.
Niigaaniin Program has 3 components, which are:
1. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
- Basic Needs: are for food and clothing for yourself, partner, and any dependents you may have.
- Shelter: (based on the size of your family) this includes rent, heat, hydro, gas, water, sewage, and house insurance.
2. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE - (CLIENT SUPPORT)
The goal is to help people on social assistance find the best route to employment and financial independence.
The basic NIIGAANIIN strategy is to provide the case management approach to the delivery of the program, as well as the provision of developmental support services and the provision of financial assistance with the costs of participation. This intensive, supportive strategy will ensure that financial assistance dependents are able to identify, access and take effective advantage of the services available that are relevant to their needs.
Under the strategy:
- Working with other community-based programs and off reserve agencies to foster the availability of the specific services that are needed by numbers of NIIGAANIIN participants and to help ensure that these services are provided in a culturally appropriate manner.
- Working with other employers to create and supervise paid and unpaid work experience/training positions tailored to the particular needs and characteristics of NIIGAANIIN program participants.
- A third component of the strategy is to institute a family support function which will directly assist clients to pursue spousal and child support as well as other forms of support to which they may be entitled.
- Finally, the model calls for continuous monitoring of progress and a case management information system is in the process of being implemented across the seven First Nations that will support this monitoring process and produce progress reports with a minimum demand on staff time.
3. SHPIMING NIKEYAA ZHAAWAG - (LIFE SKILLS)
The Shpiming Nikeyaa Zhaawag program provides financial assistance, active measures and addiction services to Niigaaniin clients whose employment potential may be impeded by substance abuse problems.
Shpiming Nikeyaa Zhaawag (Upward Bound) - (Life Skills)
SHPIMING NIKEYAA ZHAAWAG WILL:
- Work with you to begin tooking at your drug and alcohol use
- Help you understand the effects of your alcohol and drug use
- When you are ready to talk about treatment, we will help you sort out what type of treatment you are ready for
- We will also help you get to and come back from treatment
SOME OF OUR SERVICES WE DO:
- Outreach: Welcome you
- Talk about the booze you drink
- Talk about the drugs you use
- Talk about how you use drugs
- Talk to you about Anishnawbek Culture
- Help you with getting into a Treatment Program
- Help you get to Treatment Centre
- Getting together with others who are trying to change their drinking and drug habits
SUPPORTS
As a Shpiming Nikeyaa Zhaawag client, your Life Skills Coach will help you to overcome the urge to drink or use drugs by suggesting some of the following, but you can also tell them what you are interested in for example:
- Culture activities
- Gym membership
- Crafts
Your Life Skills Coach will also provide support for you when you are dealing with others services such as:
- First Nation Programs
- Health Concerns
- Legal
- Governments
- CAS
- Treatment Centre/Detox
SERVICES OFFERED
- One to One Sessions
- Workshops Programming
- Group Sessions
- Culture Activities
- Assessments are completed and your Life Skills Coach can tell you more when you meet with them
- Educational and Awareness on drugs and alcohol
Shpiming Nikeyaa Zhaawag is an enhancement to the employment component of Nigaaniin. It is one of a number of services available to Niigaaniin Clients.
To be eligible for Shpiming Nikeyaa Zhaawag Services....
- Must be a Niigaaniin participant
- Must be employable
- Must be an active participant
Source: https://www.thessalonfirstnation.ca/niigaaniin.html
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