The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services:

Department of Child, Youth and Family Services Staff Transition Complete

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very important milestone for the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services.

On Friday, March 30, I visited Happy Valley-Goose Bay to welcome the 95 child, youth and family services staff that transitioned from the Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority to the department. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with new staff and to share in acknowledging that together we have completed the transition process.

Mr. Speaker, the amount of groundwork and preparation that went into the regional transitions was significant. To transition approximately 700 staff in a span of one year is no small feat and I would like to express my appreciation to all Child, Youth and Family Services staff, as it was made possible by their hard work, dedication and cooperation.

Since the beginning, our government stated that we are committed to transforming and revitalizing child, youth and family services from the ground up. This meant more than just the creation of a line department. This meant undertaking key systemic improvements that allow our frontline staff to better serve our most vulnerable children and youth. This includes the redesign of the new provincial organizational model, proclaiming the new Children and Youth Care and Protection Act, establishing a new Training Unit and Adoptions Division, and creating a new Quality Assurance Division.

Numerous other improvement projects are being finalized, including a new continuum of care for children in need of protection, a comprehensive child care strategy and a review of our Behaviour Management Program as well as the Adoption Act to name just a few. Every program area is being assessed and the department is implementing a quality improvement process to track performance.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to building upon this strong foundation as we continually strive to offer the best possible supportive services to children, youth and their families throughout our province.

Thank you.

2012 04 02             1:55 p.m.