Minister Announces New Adoptions Division and Completion of Eastern Region Transition

The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, marked significant milestones for the department today with the consolidation of provincial adoption programs under one division and the completion of the transition of child, youth and family services staff and programs from Eastern Health.

Minister Johnson was joined by staff and MHAs from the St. John’s area, including the Steve Kent, MHA for Mount Pearl North; John Dinn, MHA for Kilbride; and Paul Lane, MHA for Mount Pearl South.

“Consolidating adoption programs offered at the provincial level, within a new Adoptions Division will help us bring a coordinated and streamlined approach to program delivery,” said Minister Johnson. “Our government recognizes the importance of ensuring that children are placed in safe and caring permanent homes and the upcoming review of the Adoptions Act will help us improve the overall adoption process for children and families of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The new Adoptions Division will be located at the provincial office in St. John’s and will be composed of a director, program consultants, social workers and administrative supports. This division will be responsible for leading and directing best practice program and policy development, as well as monitoring services provided under the Adoptions Act through the department’s regional offices.

In addition to announcing the new Adoptions Division, the department completed its transition of child, youth and family services staff and programs from Eastern Health. This occurred in two phases with eastern rural transitioning on October 31 and St. John’s metro region joining the department today. With 407 existing employees moving over to the department, eastern was the largest transitioning region. The western and central regions were transitioned on March 28 and July 18 respectively, while Labrador-Grenfell Health transitions in the new year.

“I am delighted to be here this morning to welcome child, youth and family services staff from Eastern Health to the department as the expertise and commitment they bring is so important,” said Minister Johnson. “This transition reflects our government’s commitment to the children and youth of this province with the decision to move all child, youth and family services staff and programs under the direct mandate of a dedicated department.”

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador affirms the Provincial Government’s funding commitment to children, youth and families with an additional $9.2 million investment into the department, bringing the total investment to $33 million in just two years.

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Media contact:
Michelle Hunt
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 725-1593
michellehunt@gov.nl.ca 

2011 11 28             11:40 a.m.