October 4, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Information Sessions begin on new Child Welfare legislation

Information sessions for communities and stakeholders on the new Child, Youth and Family Services Act begin in Western Newfoundland today. The Minister of Health and Community Services, Joan Marie Aylward, announced today that information sessions will be held in every region of the province so that members of the public and various interest groups will have an opportunity to discuss the new Child, Youth and Family Services Act which will come into force later this fall. The new piece of legislation will replace the current Child Welfare Act.

"Since the new legislation represents a fundamental shift in how the province will provide child welfare services, it is essential that we meet with those groups who are most affected by the change in legislation," said the Minister. "Over the next few weeks, the Department of Health and Community Services and the regional boards, will work together to ensure groups like school boards, the legal community, the RCMP and the RNC, women's and children's groups are provided information and training on the new policies and standards which support the legislation. We will also make a special effort to meet with members of the general public through Community Information Sessions to answer any questions they may have on the new Act."

An extensive review of the existing child welfare legislation and programs was initiated during 1996/97. The review included considerable input from community groups, agencies, service providers and clients. Attention was given to the recommendations of other documents including the Select Committee's Report on Children's Interests, the Child Welfare League of Canada Evaluation Report, the Social Policy Advisory Committee Report, the Provincial Strategy Against Violence, the Classroom Issues report, and a review of legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions. The outcome of the review formed the basis for drafting the new Child, Youth and Family Services Act which was tabled in the House of Assembly last fall.

"The new legislation provides the framework for the development of prevention and early intervention strategies with services delivered by health and community services and integrated boards, and community based agencies. It will also expand services to youth aged 16 and 17," said the Minister. "Government, the community and families want to ensure that we balance the rights of children to protection with recognition, respect and support for the autonomy and privacy of the family. We believe we have accomplished this goal in the new legislation."

The first community information session will be held in Stephenville tonight, with others following in Corner Brook next week. Staff training is already underway. People interested in more information on the new Act can e-mail the Department of Health and Community Services at child@mail.gov.nf.ca or contact their regional office of the Director of Child, Youth and Family Services.

Media Contact: Glenn Bruce, (709) 729-1377

1999 10 04 3:45 p.m.