Preschool

Support for First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle

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Overview

We believe that all children belong with their family, in their culture, and in their community. We recognize that we are guests anytime we enter a First Nation or a family’s home. We are committed to providing services that are respectful, holistic, person- and family-centred.

We are also committed to meeting the needs for training that communities set for themselves. 

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Who Qualifies?

We follow the evolving guidance from our funders and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for eligibility. Currently, our Jordan’s Principle services are available to:

  • First Nations children up to age 18
  • Who live on or ordinarily on reserve

Services for children living off-reserve are currently reviewed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with our funders.

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Available Services:

Nursing Consultations

Nursing consultants have expertise in pediatrics and developmental disabilities. The Nurse Consultant can provide hands-on training to support family members and respite workers to care for children with complex needs. Nurse Consultants have worked with many families to help their children successfully return home after a long hospital stay. Training takes place in the child’s community and in partnership with other healthcare providers. Nurse Consultants can also help in identifying medical issues, such as undiagnosed pain, that could contribute to challenging behaviours.

Psychology Services

Psychology services addresses challenging behaviours in children and youth with developmental disabilities and autism. Reasons for referral could include: aggression to individuals or property; self-harm; disruptive behaviours; refusal and non-compliance; inappropriate verbal behaviours or help with routines and structure. Goals are set based on the priorities of family or other care providers.

Family Care Program

The Family Care Program is short-term, voluntary, person-centred, and follows the lead of the family. The overall goal of the service is to build on the strengths families have, work on the family’s own goals, and reduce the risk of unwanted out of home placement of a child.  Specific goals could include increasing coping skills, working on parenting strategies, advocating for the child or family, or looking at other issues such as family dynamics, support systems, and grief. The social worker helps families to strengthen informal support networks. Services usually take place over about 18 months.

Counselling Services

Counselling services supports children and youth with disabilities or their families. Possible goals could include exploring the impact of a developmental disability on the individual or the family, grief and loss, anxiety, and much more. This is not a short-term/crisis counselling service. Counsellors can work with a person over a period of several months. Working as part of a team, the Counsellor works within a family-centred practice to strengthen resiliency and support an individual or a family by providing a safe, confidential and encouraging environment for decision-making and to overcome challenging situations.

From experience, St.Amant understands that supporting families and other care providers can help children achieve better outcomes. That’s why Family Care Social Work and Counselling Services are open to parents, family members, or other caregivers.

Dietitian Services

Dietitians work with families on complex issues, such as supporting children who have autism and severe food selectivity, helping to increase the variety of foods children eat in order to promote growth and development. Dietitians also offer education to families regarding nutrition and meal planning for Diabetes, obesity and other health issues. We support families to use affordable and available foods in a creative, healthy way and encourage the use of traditional foods when possible.

Psychometric Testing

We provide testing, called cognitive and adaptive functioning testing, which is required by Community Living disABILITY Services (CLdS) to determine eligibility for provincial funding for adult disability services

This service will mainly benefit youth in care of Child and Family Services between the ages of 16 and 18, who are expected to live off reserve following their 18th birthday.

Referral Process

Who can make a referral?

  • Jordan’s Principle Case Managers and Service Coordinators
  • Family members or other caregivers
  • Clinical or other staff from service providers including Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC), Rehab Centre for Children, and St.Amant
  • Community health or social service staff

How do I make a referral?

Please complete the St.Amant’s Jordan’s Principle Referral Form and fax to St.Amant Central Intake: 204-258-7066.

We provide services in First Nations communities. There is no cost for any of our services. All services are entirely voluntary; families may end the service at any time. We work very closely with service providers in First Nations to make sure that services are coordinated, respectful and comfortable for families.

FAQs


Q:

What’s the difference between Counselling Services and the Family Care Social work program?

Family care social work helps families on a short-term basis deal with an immediate and urgent matter. Counselling Services can help families work through a variety of different issues on a longer-term basis.

Counselling Services can help with:

  • Impact of disability on a person and their family members
  • Grief and loss
  • Isolation
  • Family dynamics (such as between parents or siblings)
Q:

Why are children and youth referred to psychology services?

People are often referred to psychology services because they engage in:

  • Aggression towards others (e.g., hitting, hair-pulling),
  • Self-injurious behaviour (e.g., hitting one’s own head, scratching one’s own skin),
  • Disruptive behaviour (e.g., yelling, crying),
  • Noncompliance (e.g., refusing to participate in personal care).
Q:

How will I know if my family member is part of the program?

Once St.Amant receives the referral, our Intake Administrator will contact the referral source to confirm that it was received.  The referral may need to be placed on a waitlist, however you’re encouraged to contact us if you feel your family should be prioritized for services.


Contact

For assistance please contact (204) 256-4301.

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