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PRINCE GEORGE – A new program underway at UNBC this week will see 10 Aboriginal Child Protection workers recruited and trained in the North for the North for the first time ever, Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen announced today.
“The recruitment and retention of Aboriginal social workers is extremely important to our ministry,” said Christensen. “We are committed to providing safe and appropriate care for Aboriginal children and youth while honouring the richness of tradition and culture in their communities.”
The students in the program already have a degree in social work and once they complete their classes in May, they will hold a certificate in child welfare specialization. The highly trained individuals will then go on to work in a ministry or delegated agency office in northern B.C., including Prince George, Quesnel, Fort St John, Smithers and Terrace.
The Aboriginal Child Protection Recruitment Project is a partnership between the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the northern delegated agencies represented by Carrier Sekani Family Services, and UNBC.
“This
initiative is much needed and we want to welcome the students to our
communities,” said Mary Teegee, director of Child and Family Services for
Carrier Sekani. “We look forward to the students providing best practices and
culturally appropriate services for our children and youth.”
“UNBC is proud of its
record as a university responsive to the needs of the northern region
and this new program is only the latest example,” said UNBC president Don
Cozzetto. “This partnership with the ministry and the Aboriginal community is
an example of how we can work together to develop programming that will have a
clear and direct benefit to people and their communities.”
The Ministry of Children and Family Development is currently engaged in a process of transformation, aimed specifically at strengthening and enhancing B.C.’s child and family development services. This transformation will allow better support for the unique needs of individual children, youth, families and communities in all parts of the province.
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Public Affairs Officer 250 356-2939 |
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