The Manitoba government has announced changes to child-support services and more funding for in-home care, following on a report from the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry released last year.

The five-year-old girl spent much of her life in care and was horrifically abused after being returned to her mother Samantha Kematch. The inquiry was told Winnipeg Child and Family Services frequently lost track of the girl or closed her file, deciding she was fine, without laying eyes on her.

Minister of Family Services Kerri Irvin-Ross said Tuesday the Manitoba government will revise the funding model for Child and Family Services and allow 60 per cent more for in-home family support.

Families used to get $1,300 now they'll get $2,100 to help provide in-home care.

The province will also immediately hire an indigenous associate children's advocate and introduce legislation to give the Office of the Children's Advocate more independence and transparency.

A pilot project called the "Circle of Care" will also be based in Sagkeeng First Nation to help families, while respecting cultural needs.

The Manitoba government said it's begun implementing up to 31 of 62 recommendations from the Hughes Inquiry into the death of Phoenix Sinclair.

Irvin-Ross said they're hoping for implementation between five and seven years.

As for the recommendations the province hasn't put into place, they include providing for young people up to the age of 25. Irvin-Ross says they're reviewing the recommendation but for now will provide for those up to age 21.

The province also hasn’t put into place a recommendation for reducing social work case load to 20.

Irvin-Ross said a social worker’s case load is at about 28. She says there's a financial cost with training to help workers reduce case load and it would take time to phase in.

Irvin-Ross says 87 per cent of children in care are aboriginal. The goal is to reduce the number of aboriginal kids in care, said the province.

Grand Chief David Harper, who represents northern First Nations, says tackling poverty is the first step to reducing the number of aboriginal kids in care.

- With a report from Alesia Fieldberg and files from The Canadian Press