3. Native Child and Family Services
of Toronto (NCFST) was founded in
1986.
The Toronto’s Native community
was concerned about children
dealing with issues such as
poverty, addictions, family violence
and homelessness.
The Members of the Toronto’s
Native community wanted to offer
services that are family and child
focused, general in their
orientation, integrated and
preventative with a strong Native
cultural base as their foundation.
4. The developmental phase took place during 1985 to 1988. They set
the bylaws, a mission statement and service objectives.
The agency presented their service plan to the Ministry of Community
and Social Services in January 1988 and funding was provided on
April 1, 1988.
Major Funders of the agency are:
Province of Ontario
United Way Toronto
The City of Toronto
The Toronto Community Foundation
The Royal Bank
In 2004, after almost 20 years of negotiating a mandate under the
Child and Family Services Act, NCFST became a full Children's Aid
Society.
5. “Native child and family services of Toronto
Strives to provide a life of quality, well-being,
caring and healing for our children and
families in Toronto native community. We do
this by creating a service model, that is
culture based and respects the values of
native people, the extended family, and the
right to self-determination”
6. YOUTH DROP-IN CENTRE
In the drop-in centre the youth are
invited to spend time at the centre
and they engage with one of the
staff in finding assistance with what
they need.
The drop-in hours are from Monday
to Friday 8:00am to 9:00pm and
from Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm.
CHILD CARE
The child care program is open to all
cultural ethnicities. They are a
licensed centre for children to 0-6
years with 56 subsidized and fee
paying spaces.
7. ABORIGINAL ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRE
This Centre is a place for parents, caregivers and their children to
have fun and make new friends while learning and growing
together.
Child up to age 6 and their parents or caregivers take part in
different programs and activities together free of charge.
ABORIGINAL HEAD START
Building Strong Spirits is a free school readiness program.
They provide a happy, safe, relaxed learning environment for
children with an Aboriginal background aged 2 to 6 years and their
families.
They teach cultural awareness, values, languages, music and
craft.
8. Programs for Children and Youth
Sports programs, including judo,
swimming, boxing, volleyball,
basketball
Dance programs including
Thunderbirds Dance Group and
traditional dance
Arts and drama
Homework Club (after school
program)
Summer camp
Girls’ Groups (ages 8-11 and 12-15)
Young Warriors Club
Youth Group
9. Cultural Programs
Hand drumming
Full Moon ceremonies
Sessions with elders
Sweat lodge ceremonies
Visiting elders
Ojibway language
Healing and Support
Addictions counselling
Individual and family
counselling
Case management
Advocacy
10. Programs for Adults/Parents
General Education Diploma
Community Kitchen
Early Years
Volunteer program
Education and training programs
Food Help
Women’s wellness (YMCA)
Men’s group
Seniors' tea
Family Activities
Family recreational swim
Craft nights
11. Case management
Advocacy
Group programs such as
Strengthening Families
Referrals to other resources
Community Activities
Weekly newsflash
Large community forums
Drum socials
Community barbecues
Arts, drama and dance
performances
Community Council
12. First come first serve basis
Some programs are
priority based for instance
the aboriginal head start
there is a priority checklist
and a waitlist.
The agency can only
accommodate a certain
amount of people.
There is no follow-up after
you leave the agencies.
13. The building is not noticeable
and there are barely any signs
around.
Inside it was very narrow and
the building was small and not
able to accommodate a lot of
people.
Programs are opened to the
Scarborough community but
the Aboriginal people would be
prioritized.
They do not really advertise
there agency.
14. The agency has a youth outreach worker
who promotes the program.
There is no follow-up after the program it
is people’s decisions if they want to stay
or go.
15. Keith accommodated us and took us to
his office while we asked him various
questions.
After asking Keith questions he then
gave us a tour around the agency.
Keith took us to all the rooms in the
building and talked about what each
room was used for.
After the tour Keith gave us his calling
card and told us to apply when we
were done our program.
Keith also gave us a package which
was filled with a variety of native songs.
18. Make great videos. Easily. (2014, January 1). Retrieved
November 3, 2014, from www.animoto.com
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (2011, January 1).
Retrieved November 2, 2014, from www.native.org
Editor's Notes
What are some of the circumstances leading up to families choosing to access support through this agency?
The agency is quiet large with child welfare meaning has child protection as well as support services including things like men and women’s transition, housing, youth department , afterschool program, counselling, daycare , head start program, youth outreach worker, family resource program, sports and cultural activities. The reason people come here is because it compasses all ages zero to elder. This is an aboriginal agency which is sensitive to aboriginal culture and what people need and want.
A lot of our programs here are first come first serve. There are some programs that are priority based. For instance the aboriginal head start there is a priority checklist depending on things so there is a waitlist for whoever fits the priority will get in the program first. Every other program in the center is first come first serve as needed. Our programs are open to the entire Scarborough community. Aboriginal people would get priority depending on the program. We are pretty good at outreaching in getting everyone in the programs.
What is the process through which support to families is eventually tapered off and how is that decided.
A lot of our programs here are first come first serve. There are some programs that are priority based. For instance the aboriginal head start there is a priority checklist depending on things so there is a waitlist for whoever fits the priority will get in the program first. Every other program in the center is first come first serve as needed. Our programs are open to the entire Scarborough community. Aboriginal people would get priority depending on the program. We are pretty good at outreaching in getting everyone in the programs.
• What community outreach/follow-up is provided by the agency?
Most of our programs are open-end, so people come and go. For instance people coming to the program for a year might stop and come back. We don’t time people out or end services with them, it’s an on-going intake.