Developments regarding children in Sheshatshiu

In recent days, much progress has taken place since the Sheshatshiu Band Council requested government�s assistance in helping children and youth in Sheshatshiu who are deemed at risk.

On Friday, social workers and community service workers were deployed to assist the community of Sheshatshiu. These professionals have undertaken to complete assessments of 39 children. Since starting this assessment, 25 children and youth have been identified who require detoxification. With additional supports, it is anticipated that the remaining children will be able to stay in the care of their families and relatives.

Roger Grimes, Minister of Health and Community Services, said: "Government has committed all available resources at our disposal to help the children and youth and indeed the community of Sheshatshiu respond to this issue. We have been working with the community to ensure that the best interests and safety of each of these individual children is addressed. The Department of Health and Community Services will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as soon as possible."

Ernie McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador, said: "Over the weekend, approximately 17 children and youth availed of 24 hour services at the Innu Healing Centre including food and a safe place to sleep. In addition, 15 community monitors were hired to patrol the community. I am pleased with the quick response by the province, health board and community in this situation."

Meetings are being held again today between officials of the Health Labrador Corporation and the Inter-Agency Committee in Sheshatshiu. A discussion will be held at that time regarding where these children, particularly the 25 who require detoxification services, should be placed. Once that discussion is held, plans for each of the children will be formalized. Sites are being identified within the community for children and youth who require placement. A challenge is providing staffing resources to provide one on one care for these children and youth during the detoxification process. Human resources from within the community and the Labrador region as well as from health boards from throughout the province are being identified.

Where children are at risk and require placement, and the families are not agreeable, social workers will proceed to court to obtain a warrant for their removal once a plan for placement has been developed.

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Communications (709) 729-1377.

2000 11 20 3:35 p.m.