Child, Youth and Family Services
March 29, 2011
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services:
Transition of CYFS in Western Region
I am happy to announce yesterday’s successful transition of 107 CYFS staff and services from the Western Regional Health Authority to the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services.
The western region was the first of the four Regional Health Authorities to transfer to our department. Transfer of the other three will occur this year.
I was delighted to be at the Noton Building in Corner Brook yesterday to welcome the staff from the western region to the department; all other offices in western joined by teleconference.
While in Corner Brook, I also released details about the redesigned organizational structure for the department which focuses on strengthening our core mandate: the protection and well-being of children and youth.
Key elements of the new organizational model include improved administrative and supervisory supports for frontline social workers. For programs areas including child protection, adoption and youth corrections, the goal is to have staff work within a standard service delivery team consisting of one supervisor, six social workers, a social work assistant and a clerical support person. The model also includes a plan to work towards more manageable caseloads for social workers.
These changes will translate into a more effective and positive system throughout our province and will ultimately benefit our clients.
Other highlights of the organizational model include the delegation of authority to 13 child and youth care zone managers from the existing five regional directors which will facilitate increased oversight of cases. This includes dedicated zone managers for both the Innu and Inuit communities. Government recognizes the unique challenges in Labrador and we have committed to developing an innovative service delivery model with the involvement of Aboriginal leaders to incorporate their perspectives.
It also includes a dedicated training unit already announced in College of the North Atlantic, Stephenville Campus.
Yesterday’s transition marked a significant step forward towards the revitalization of child, youth and family services in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is however just one component of the transformation of programs and services which started with our new child protection legislation passed through the House of Assembly last June. This act will come into effective later this year.
The Department of Child, Youth and Family Services has recognized the systemic issues that exist and developed a long-term plan to specifically address these issues, improve service delivery and ensure a positive transition of staff to the department.
The department has a clear vision for the future. We have listened to the concerns staff expressed during extensive consultations and have made the necessary changes to reflect their recommendations. This new organizational model will better support their work, which will in turn ensure the safety and well-being for children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador.
2011 03 29 1:45 p.m.