Province introduces new guardianship program to help Manitoba children
A new guardianship program was announced on Thursday by the provincial government along with the General Child and Family Services (CFS) Authority.
Families Minister Rochelle Squires and Jay Rodgers, the CEO of General CFS Authority, made the announcement, with Squires saying this program will help "ensure that children grow up with their family members."
It is designed for those kids who are permanent wards or when a CFS agency is seeking a permanent order.
Squires said guardianship will be granted to family members who have been looking after the child for six months continuously or it can also be granted to another adult that the family and child view as family if they have been looking after the child for 24 continuous months.
She added that guardianship is approved by the child's culturally appropriate authority.
Rodgers said it is important that children grow up with family, as it has many benefits.
"This is good for kids," said Rodgers. "If kids grow up in a loving, stable, family home, they are more likely to have longer term positive health outcomes than if they don't grow up with family."
He added that research also shows that with guardianship programs, kids are less likely to go back into care and they are more likely to thrive as adults.
Rodgers said financial aid is available for those caregivers to make sure the needs of the kids are met and Squires noted the government is providing funding to each agency based on their specific needs.
The program is expected to take effect in the fall, with Rodgers noting training for staff needs to be done first, before the program goes live.
"We have been working very closely with our agencies on how best to implement this program. Agencies will likely be creating, at least initially, dedicated staff to implement the program. We can do that with the resources that we have. I don't think this is going to mean a substantial increase in workload."
The province said guardians are responsible for "ensuring a child's physical, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs are met at all times."
It added they are also in charge of making important decisions such as where to go to school, what recreational activities they participate in, medical treatments and day-to-day living.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.