Child, Youth and Family Services
Executive Council
June 30, 2016

Strengthening Child Protection Legislation Through Public Engagement

Provincial Government Begins Review of the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act

Through the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, the Provincial Government is commencing the review of the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act today (Thursday, June 30). This piece of child-focused legislation guides the delivery of child protection, in care and youth services programs throughout the province.

"The protection and care of children and youth is a core value of our government. Today marks five years since the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act was proclaimed and we are pleased to commence this legislative review. As we move forward with the review process, we are also incorporating a review of the Youth Services Program to ensure this program is responsive to the unique needs of youth and their transition to adulthood."
- The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services

This statutory review will include a comprehensive public engagement process that will provide individuals and stakeholders directly impacted by child protection legislation with the opportunity to provide input on the review of the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act. This process will consist of targeted in-person and virtual dialogue sessions, focus groups, and questionnaires.

"Engagement generates ideas, solutions and views that can help inform effective policy development and decision-making. The Office of Public Engagement is pleased to support the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services as they undertake engagement activities as part of the review of the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act."
- The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement

In addition, anyone interested in providing input on the current Children and Youth Care and Protection Act can do so by forwarding a written submission to the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services by December 31, 2016. A Discussion Guide is posted on the department's website at www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs and printed copies will be available at local offices or can be mailed upon request. Further details regarding the written submission process are included in the backgrounder below.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is commencing the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act statutory review today.
  • This legislative review will include a comprehensive engagement process that will involve targeted in-person and virtual dialogue sessions, focus groups and questionnaires.
  • The Provincial Government is also seeking input from the public in the form of written submissions and a Discussion Guide is posted at www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs.
  • The public engagement process will take place over the next several months, with the deadline for written submissions being December 31, 2016.
  • The review will focus on such key policy areas as: youth services; information sharing; prevention services; licensing and regulation of external agencies; permanency planning for children in care; and services to Aboriginal children, youth and families.

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Media contacts:

Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148
melonyoneill@gov.nl.ca 		Kip Bonnell
Media Relations Manager
Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kbonnell@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Written Submission Process for Review of the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act

The review of the current Children and Youth Care and Protection Act will assist the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services in its ongoing efforts to further strengthen services to children, youth and their families. This review will focus on such key policy areas as youth services; information sharing; prevention services; licensing and regulation of external agencies; permanency planning for children in care; and services to Aboriginal children, youth and families.

In order to gain insight from the public, the department is accepting written submissions on the current Children and Youth Care and Protection Act. A Discussion Guide, which is posted on the department's website at www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs, will assist respondents by providing an overview of child protection legislation, the principles on which it is based, and a series of questions that may help inform input.

Written submissions can be provided to the Policies and Programs Branch of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services through:

Email: cycpreview@gov.nl.ca

Telephone: 1-844-235-3355

Facsimile: 709-729-6382


Mail:

Children and Youth Care and Protection Act Review

c/o Policies and Programs Branch

Department of Child, Youth and Family Services

P.O. Box 8700

St. John's, NL

A1B 4J6

Submissions will be accepted until December 31, 2016.

2016 06 30                              2:40 p.m.