First Nations child and family services (FNCFS)

Since 2018, the entire IFSD team has been working in support of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Caring Society. As one of the cornerstones of First Nations reconciliation, this work is intended to support First Nations, First Nations leadership, and child and family services agencies on fundamental reform of the First Nations child and family services (FNCFS) program.
The approach was rooted in building trust and confidence with First Nations communities and agencies to generate bottom-up data (qualitative and quantitative primary data collection) and cost analysis, as well as a performance-informed approach to funding rooted in First Nation well-being at the levels of the child, family, and community. Premised on addressing gaps in the existing system, the work analyzed the current fee-for-service model, considered practices in other jurisdictions, and proposed an alternative approach shaped by collaborator contributions.
The analysis and recommendations developed by IFSD were recognized and leveraged by stakeholders, including, FNCFS agencies, First Nations, the AFN, and the Caring Society.
Underpinning this work is a well-developed understanding and evaluation of the existing program, primary research including questionnaires, case studies, and focus group consultations, secondary research on the causes of contact with the protection system, as well as the imperative for prevention to support well-being. Active work with stakeholders in complex environments is central to this research.
In this work, IFSD used a mix of tools and bottom-up approaches, e.g., questionnaires, regional workshops, and in-depth collaboration, as appropriate based on IFSD’s mandate and research requirements. IFSD also leveraged its expert-level understanding of the federal government’s public financial management system. On a monthly basis, IFSD shared its interim research findings and project progress.
This project covered three phases: Phase 1 (2018-19); Phase 2 (2019-20); Phase 3 (2022-25). For First Nations not affiliated with a FNCFS agency, IFSD has designed and executed a study to estimate the needs and costs of First Nations not affiliated with an FNCFS agency in child and family services. Through interviews, questionnaires, workshops, case studies, and best practice assessments, the study proposes approaches to funding child and family services in different contexts.