Investigation and Assessment (Intake) & Protection
Initial information referrals are received by the Intake  Department through telephone, letter, oroffice interview. Intake is a short-term service. Intake workers are responsible for investigations of alleged emotional, sexual, physical abuse and neglect. Assessments of request for child welfare services are made at the intake level. The Ontario Risk Assessment Model is used for all investigations and assessments. The Intake worker determines if the child or children are “in need of protection”. When appropriate, referrals are made to other community agencies. If protection concerns are evident, a transfer is made to the Protection Teams. Protection is a longer-term service. Protection Workers are responsible for continued work with families on a mandated or voluntary basis. The Protection Worker works with the family to develop a service plan which is intended to alleviate risk to the child or children. Protection Support Workers assist the Protection and Intake teams in their work.
Early Intervention Services
MotherCare Nipissing is a prenatal nutrition support program funded by the
Public Health Agency of Canada and sponsored by the Children´s Aid
Society. This drop-in is held every Wednesday morning at Trinity United
Church, corner of Ferguson Street and McIntyre Street East. MotherCare
offers free nutritious food to supplement the needs of pregnant women and
breastfeeding mothers. Healthy eating education, healthy snacks,
childcare, information on other services in the community and social
support are some of the features of this program. As well, guest speakers
address lifestyle issues, child development and breastfeeding issues. A
nutritionist, a social worker, a nurse, an early childhood educator and
volunteers staff the program. MotherCare Nipissing is offered to all
pregnant women and new mothers.
This new parenting program is offered in partnership with the Infant Development Program, the Community Action Program for Children, the Children's Aid Society and funded by the National Child Benefit Reinvestment Strategy. The Play Your Part Parenting Program offers hands-on activities, social support, coping skills and on-site structured childcare. The program has four series of groups offered to parents according to their child’s or children's age group: newborn to 6 months, 6 to 18 months, 18 to 30 months, and 30 months to 6 years. The course structure is quite unique as it offers continuous intake, and self-contained modules. Participants can join at any time and be involved for a series of ten weeks. There is a minimal fee to cover supplies. The Play Your Part Parenting Program believes that what happens to children in their first year of life will play a large role in the path they will follow as adults.
- Infant Development Program
The Infant Development Program is a voluntary home-based program where the parents are encouraged to be active participants. Infant Development Workers are specialists in child development and have varied backgrounds in health, education and social work. Through formal and informal developmental assessments they assist the family in understanding their child's unique pattern of development.
- Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)
The Nipissing District Community Action Program for Children (CAPC):
Nipissing CAPC is a support program for teen mothers under the age of 21
years and their child under 6 years. CAPC is funded by the Public Health
Agency of Canada and sponsored by the Children´ Aid Society.
CAPC offers home visits, parenting groups, and pre and post-natal support. CAPC workers have different backgrounds in social work, health and
education. The goal of the home visiting program is to promote healthy
pregnancies, explore parenting skills, encourage further education and
provide information about nutrition, child health and development. Through
partnerships with community agencies CAPC also offers parenting groups,
cooking sessions, budgeting and other topics as needed.
Nipissing CAPC is limited to first time mothers
- Preparation for Independence Program
The preparation for Independence Program was designed primarily to help youth who are involved, or have been involved, with the Children's Aid Society to obtain the life skills required to live independent to social assistance. However, this Program also provides some services to other agencies, which deal with the young people of our community, including schools and the Near North Youth Centre.
- Near North Youth Centre Preparation for Independence Program
Pursuant to the Young Offenders Act and the Child and Family Services Act, the Near North Youth Centre (N.N.Y.C.) is designated both a place of "Secure Temporary Detention" and "Secure Custody" facility. The facility serves to balance the following goals: protection and well-being of society; to administer the conditions of court dispositions; and to provide education, recreation and rehabilitation to assist youths, twelve to sixteen years of age, to become law abiding citizens.
Working closely with the youths' families and counselling agencies throughout the districts of Nipissing, Parry Sound and Muskoka, the Near North Youth Centre presently offers programs such as Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Anger Management, Thinking Errors, Victim Awareness, Choices & Consequences, Peer Counselling and Life Skills. As an aesthetically pleasing, ten bed facility, the staff welcome community participation in the form of guest speakers and planned tours.
Community Support Program
Community Support Teams (CST) were developed as a community based alternative for Phase 1 Young Offenders. The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services developed the program with the aim of limiting or preventing the need for custodial sanctions for young offenders. Our CST began operation in May 1988 under the auspices of the Children's
Aid Society of the District of Nipissing and is one of six such teams in the North Region and one of nine in the Province as a whole.
|
|
