FNCFS - Who Are We?

FIRST NATIONS CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES

WHAT IS THE FNCFS PROGRAM?

FNCFS is First Nations Child and Family Services, a community social service program dispensed by the Grand Council de la Nation Waban-Aki.

Some other Waban-Aki organizations also provide child and family services, such as the CPE (early childhood centre), the CPDA (police force), the Band Council and the Health Centre. All of these are important partners and share common objectives while offering complimentary services. This is why these stakeholders are constantly working to coordinate community actions in order to best meet the needs of child, family and community services.

WHAT CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES IS OFFERED?

The main services (FNCFS) to be deployed will be first line, which can sometimes be called community prevention services. The community intervention to be gradually done through this approach seeks to create social and community conditions favorable to the full development of children, youths and families. In brief, services will be offered to contribute to the social development of Odanak and Wôlinak, in order to favor child safety and development.

ARE THERE EXAMPLES OF PREVENTION SERVICES?

Here are examples of prevention services that has been offered until now to the communities of the Abenaki Nation:

Access to first line services and personalized follow-up (voluntary basis)
Access to a family centre on each community
Parent groups, support groups and other groups that developped a particular project
Training on various subjects (parental skills, family budget management, educational or community activities, etc.)
Child-parent, child-grandparent and family activities or excursions
Visits from speakers selected or suggested by the community
Other suggestions and special requests coming from citizens or partner organizations.

Don’t hesitate to contact any member of the team to obtain information or share your suggestions.

«IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO RAISE A CHILD.»

OUR TEAM

DENYS BERNARDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GCNWA

The executive director of the GCNWA ensures the administrative part of human resources and oversees the hiring of staff. He is also in charge of agreements with different partners outside the community and official communications. The Executive director supports the Child and Family Prevention Services manager in decision-making. The executive director provides the direction and vision in the medium and long-term.

NIKITA ZEWSKIEXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

The communications officer of the GCNWA has already been hired to the team and her job description is oriented towards youth and family projects. Thereby, the communications officer devotes her time to the mobilization, advertizing and information surrounding the project. Under the responsibility of the Child and Family Prevention Services manager, the communications officer supports the interveners in their communications and advertizing needs.

MICHEL THIBEAULTSOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR

Michel is responsible for the management of social services and front-line services to the child and the family of the Waban-Aki Nation. He advises members of the FNCFS team on clinical intervention aspects and on interaction strategies between different resources in the communities and the FNCFS. In addition, he ensures that the methods meet a community-based approach and finally, he also advises the team on the most effective ways to implement the various projects developed.

LAURE TARDIFFRONT-LINE SERVICES COORDINATOR

Laure is responsible for training, service development and the DYP agreement and must ensure that services meet the needs of families in the community. She ensures consistency in front-line services. She also works with partners to ensure that consultation develops. Laure links clinical needs, community needs and the services that must be associated with them. She has a decision-making role in confirming the offer of services. She is also a youth protection respondent.

VALÉRIE LAFORCENIONA COORDINATOR

Valérie oversees the operations of the Niona Project and interacts with the Niona program worker to ensure a place for young people who need an environment where they can practice their skills.

JENNY M'SADOQUESADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES

Jenny supports the management and the entire team in administrative actions.

MARIE-JOSÉE BOISVERTCLINICAL COORDINATOR

Marie-Josée guides the workers in their actions, ensures that appropriate practices are applied and assigns files to the social workers.

MARC FAUTEUXCLINICAL COORDINATOR

Marc guides the workers in their actions, ensures that appropriate practices are applied and assigns files to the social workers.

SYLVIE MORINYOUTH WORKER

AUDREY TRUDELCOMMUNITY WORKER - INDIVIDUAL FOLLOW-UP

Audrey meets the needs of individuals, families and groups from the communities of Odanak and Wôlinak to enable them to understand and solve their behavioural and social issues. She works with individuals with bio-psycho-social difficulties, provides individual follow-ups and participates in prevention activities.

KIM O’BOMSAWINCOMMUNITY WORKER - INDIVIDUAL FOLLOW-UP

Kim is responsible for assisting a student in school. She is also in charge of the Espace Jeunesse d’Odanak.

DAVID PLANTECOMMUNITY WORKER - INDIVIDUAL FOLLOW-UP

David meets the needs of individuals, families and groups from the communities of Odanak and Wôlinak to enable them to understand and solve their behavioural and social issues. He works with individuals with bio-psycho-social difficulties, provides individual follow-ups and participates in prevention activities.

KARINE AYOTTECOMMUNITY WORKER - INDIVIDUAL FOLLOW-UP