Manitoba’s child-welfare system will undergo a review of its funding and governance models in an effort to build transparency and strength within the sector, the province announced Tuesday.
The move follows long-standing concerns raised by Indigenous leadership and child welfare partners, the government said in a news release.
“This review is about building a stronger system that helps keep children safe and supported while ensuring families, communities and nations have the resources they need to care for their children,” Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said in the release.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine speaks to journalists Tuesday about the provincial review of Manitoba’s child-welfare system.
“This review responds directly to calls from Indigenous leadership and rights holders for greater transparency within the provincial system now and as they work to reclaim jurisdiction over child welfare.”
The previous Progressive Conservative provincial government introduced Child and Family Services’ current funding and governance model in 2019.
Known as the “single-envelope” model, the government provides policy direction and annual budgets for Manitoba’s four child welfare authorities, which are then responsible for overseeing and managing the funds through their respective agencies.
The previous funding model allowed agencies to invoice the province for individual expenses associated with children under their care — independent from their authority and budget.
“The CFS funding and governance model must support Indigenous-led care and the exercise of Indigenous jurisdiction over the well-being of children and families,” the release said.
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“A review will provide a clearer understanding of the needs and challenges within the current funding and governance model, while identifying what changes may be needed to better support children, families, caregivers and communities.”
An external consulting firm will be selected to undertake the review through a competitive procurement process.
Its role will include assessing funding pressures, examining financial management and oversight practices, reviewing governance structures related to funding and accountability and identifying opportunities to support Indigenous jurisdiction of child welfare.
The review will take approximately a year to complete, Fontaine said.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca