C-92 Training: Federal Act for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families
IPS invites you join us this June 1st, 2nd and 3rd for our online C-92 training, facilitated by Indigenous child welfare and social work program design leader and consultant, Eva Coles. Eva has worked with First Nation communities across Canada to successfully implement the new legislation since it came into effect on January 1, 2020. Learn more about Eva below.
About the training: The focus of this training course will be on familiarizing participants with the new federal legislation. The training will also help participants to think through jurisdictional implications, necessary changes to their practices and ways to successfully interpret and implement the new legislation. This training is highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the new Act, how it affects child and family services provision, Nationally and Provincially, and how it can be applied to improve, and increase supports to Indigenous children, families and communities.
Background: The intention of the Act is to set minimum national standards for First Nations, Inuit and Métis child and family services provision. It is significant that this is the first time the federal government has exercised its jurisdiction to legislate in the area of Indigenous child welfare. For this reason, all agencies across Canada are required to familiarize themselves with the Act and make the appropriate changes to their policies, practices and standards to be in alignment with the Act.
The Act also recognizes the inherent jurisdiction of Indigenous governing bodies to be self-determining in the area of child and family services. As such, agencies may need to adapt existing or create new governance models in the future, as Indigenous groups, communities and people start to act on their inherent authority. Please click here to view a recently created IPS C-92: Key Concepts video, presented by IPS Associate Director, Connie Martin.
About the Facilitator: IPS is humbled and grateful to have Eva Coles work with us to facilitate and deliver the upcoming C-92 training. Eva currently resides in southern Saskatchewan and works as a Social Work Consultant and Community Engagement Specialist supporting communities in the processes of child welfare and holistic wellness changes.
Eva Coles has been in service to Indigenous communities for over 32 years in British Columbia, Alberta and now in Saskatchewan. She started as a social worker in Northern Alberta with the Bigstone Cree Nation and has worked in urban, reserve and settlement settings. Eva has been a catalyst for innovation and excellence. She has led two project teams, in the areas of social work practice and social enterprise in non-profits, which were awarded Changemaker of the Year Awards.
Eva now assists communities navigating the Canadian legal system and moving towards recognition of Traditional Law to implement what they know is best for themselves and their children. Her work in this area has been highly successful in reducing removals of First Nations Children and through the development of community child welfare response plans.
Eva has a calm, patient presence and an eagle eye for recognizing what is happening in groups and systems. She has presented at international conferences in Australia, Europe and the USA on topics related to frameworks for capacity building in Indigenous communities using culture in child safety.
Eva has a BA in First Nations Studies, a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and is a Certified Executive Coach. As the mother of Métis children (Alberta Métis origins) she understands the importance of cultural identity and belonging for children.
Eva was the Manager/Acting Director for 14 years and one of the model developers for Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Services out of the East Kootenays in B.C. During this time the agency was granted an exception to practice from the provincial Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD). As a result, the number of children in care was reduced by half.
As the CEO of the Métis Commission for Children and Families of B.C., Eva led and strengthened the organization while initiating the first negotiating table for full Métis Child Welfare Jurisdiction in Canada.
In 2018 and 2019 Eva was Executive Director for Secwepemc Child and Family Services where she developed comprehensive prevention services for families and youth and evolved the child welfare practice model for and with a team of almost 90 staff. Eva was a witness to the nation’s jurisdiction signing and planning for self-governance over child welfare matters. Eva was nominated by Secwepemc First Nation Elders and received the 2019 Cindy Blackstock Award of Excellence in Social Work Practice.
In 2020, Eva was engaged by the Cowessess First Nation to design and establish a full jurisdiction child welfare/prevention organization for Cowessess citizens across Canada. This was the first of its kind under the Federal C-92 Act. Eva continues on in her mission to bring change for Indigenous children in Canada.
If you would like more information about this training or if you are interested in bringing this training to your community, please visit:
https://ipsociety.ca/training/community-family-support/c-92-training/
or contact Karman Lippitt: karmanl@ipsociety.ca