Resources
Online Indigenous Advent Calendar
Updated annually, this online advent calendar is great fun for kids and anyone wanting to learn more about First Nations, Metis or Inuit culture
Well-Being EBlast December 2024 The Village: Supporting Staff in Seeing the Impact
This month we feature Val Crosby, Executive Director of The High Level Toy Lending Library, which currently provides Mackenzie Family Resource Network (MFRN) services
ALIGN Well-Being in Child and Family Services Initiative
The way we define and understand child and youth well-being matters.
ALIGN's Indigenous Cultural Understanding Framework (ICUF)
A Digital Interactive Journey to increase cultural understanding within Alberta agencies so that all Indigenous children living in Alberta can live in dignity and respect, supported by people with a deeper understanding of Indigenous worldviews, history and current reality.
Caring for Foster Kids During the Holidays: Bringing Joy and Stability to Their Lives
As a caregiver, fostering a sense of joy, comfort, and security during the holidays can make a world of difference.
This December, Be Part of a Provincial Story of Well-Being Impact! (Well-Being Eblast Nov 2024)
This December, we invite you to share your organization’s work of supporting Well-Being and create a Provincial Story of Impact with the ALIGN Well-Being Impact Portal and Dashboard. .
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers November 2024
CONNECTIONS is monthly newsletter designed to support Foster and Kinship Caregivers to ensure First Nations, Metis & Inuit children in their care have access to cultural resources, activities and events that broaden their cultural awareness.
Inuit-Specific Child Welfare Data Discussion Paper Nov. 2024
An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families has created national standards, the commitment to resources and the ability to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services by Inuit Treaty Organizations. It has the potential to change outcomes for Inuit children and families across the country.
Celebrating Success at the "Our Children, Our Way" Conference
We were honored to present at the Our Children, Our Way conference this year, hosted by the incredible Mary Teegee and her team. Mary, a recent presenter at ALIGN’s own Walking the Children Home event, graciously invited us to share our work, and we were thrilled to connect with so many passionate professionals and community members dedicated to Indigenous child and family well-being.
ALIGN’s Ongoing Engagement Executive Director’s Update: Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly
We are pleased to share that ALIGN recently attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program, held from October 16-18, 2024, on Treaty 7 Territory, in Calgary, Alberta.
MCHB: Centering Stories in an Ecological Framework (ALIGN's Well-Being Eblast Oct. 2024)
This month we feature Hannah Goa’s experience of piloting the toolkit at the Multicultural Health Broker Cooperative (MCHB) in Edmonton. Hannah has been supporting the Intercultural FRN work for the past 4 years and is responsible for reporting to funders. She became interested in joining the toolkit pilot group to inspire her work on their Evaluation Framework that uniquely reflects the values and principles of cultural brokering.
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers October 2024
CONNECTIONS is monthly newsletter designed to support Foster and Kinship Caregivers to ensure First Nations, Metis & Inuit children in their care have access to cultural resources, activities and events that broaden their cultural awareness.
Updated Statistics Overrepresentation of Indigenous Children in Care (Indigenous Watchdog)
The number one issue in Child Welfare is the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care. The majority of Indigenous children-in-care are First Nations (69.1%)
Updated Reformed Approach to First Nations Child and Family Services
The Caring Society's positions on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child & Family Services Program to stop the discrimination against First Nations children, youth, and families, and prevent it from happening again
Alberta.ca Child Intervention Recommendations Data Tool
This Data Tool is updated twice a year, with progress status results as of March and September.
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society: Growing Organizational Well-Being (ALIGN’s Well-Being eBlast Sept 2024)
This month we feature Jill Robinson's experiencing of piloting the toolkit with managers using components of the tool-kit to better understand how to promote staff well-being.
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers September 2024
CONNECTIONS is monthly newsletter designed to support Foster and Kinship Caregivers to ensure First Nations, Metis & Inuit children in their care have access to cultural resources, activities and events that broaden their cultural awareness.
Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care Key Supports Checklist (CWLC)
This checklist can help organizations who want to use the Equitable Standards to guide local advocacy efforts and supports for youth in and from care.
The National Child Welfare Outcome Matrix 2024 (CWLC)
The National Child Welfare Outcome Matrix (NOMi ) was developed in consultation with provincial, territorial and First Nations service providers as an initiative of the Provincial/Territorial Directors of Child Welfare (DCW) and Human Resources Development Canada to provide a common framework for reporting on outcomes for children and families receiving child welfare services.
Report: Staying Put & Reducing the Risk of Homelessness (Centre for Homelessness Impact)
Learn how this approach reduces the risk of homelessness in care leavers.
ALIGN Introduction to Child Intervention In Alberta Online Self Study Guide
This self-paces online self-study guide is an orientation for those new to the work with children and families in Alberta.
WJS: Using Well-Being Domains to Share Stories & Build Community (ALIGN's Well-Being eBlast August 2024)
This month we feature Aaron Hachkowski’s experience of piloting the toolkit at WJS. Aaron is a Program Director and oversees sites across Alberta and Ontario. He found that gathering stories for each of the toolkit’s seven well-being domains was a way to support learning and community between very diverse sites
Loving Our Children: Finding What Works for First Nations Families (FNCFS)
Canada Research Chair in First Nations Child and Family Services Implementation 2023-2030
ALIGN Journal for Services to Children and Families 2024
The ALIGN Journal for Services to Children and Families (the Journal) is intended to be a forum for significant, critical and serious inquiry related to the work of the agencies – children, youth, families, organizations, leadership and wellness. ALIGN Journals support strengthening member agencies and promoting attitudes, practices and conditions that contribute to quality services for children and families
Updates - Compensation and Agreement-in-Principle for long-term reform of FNCFS and Jordan's Principle
Update on the final settlement agreement on compensation, the agreement-in-principle on long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program and on a long-term approach for Jordan's Principle, and the implementation of immediate measures
Rainbow Literacy: Stories Sharing Each Client's Journey (ALIGN's Well-Being eBlast July 2024)
This month we feature Barbare Moore Coffey's experience of piloting the toolkit at a small FRN in rural southern Alberta. Barbara is the Executive Director of Rainbow Literacy and found in the toolkit a way to make storytelling fundamental to learning and understanding impact.
Caregiver Resources for Natural Disasters and Emergencies
Emergencies and disasters can impact individual, family and community well-being. Children’s reactions to disasters and their aftermath are strongly influenced by how their parents, grandparents, families, teachers, and other caregivers cope during and after the events
ALIGN's Well-Being eBlast McMan South: Understanding Staff Well-Being and Supervision
This month we feature Brittany Anderson's experience of piloting the tookit at McMan South. Brittany is a Therapeutic Caregiving Specialist, and she started using the toolkit to better understand staff well-being and supervision.
Foster Care and the Holidays (Foster Focus Magazine)
Holidays can be a stark reminder to these children that they are not with their own family. It is during the holidays when families are supposed to be together, yet these children in care are not. They are not with their families, and they may not know when they will see them next.
Online Course for Foster/Kinship Caregivers: Giving and Receiving Healing
Foster parents and other caregivers give from the bottom of their hearts. Often this isn't enough. Complex trauma changes the child’s brain and nervous system (and thus all development). These kids often don't respond well to typical parenting. Learn more about giving and receiving healing and caregiver wellness.
Free Online Certificate Program Evaluation for Youth Wellbeing
A free online certificate course about the main concepts, approaches and practices relevant to conducting evaluation of youth sector programs and initiatives.
Book - Walking Together The Future of Indigenous Child Welfare on the Prairies
Walking Together is the seventh title in the Voices of the Prairies series. Developed by the Prairie Child Welfare Consortium, this edited collection brings together accomplished Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars from the prairie provinces
Self-Care for Caregivers
This Self-Care Starter Kit explains why it’s important to take time to look after yourself, and how you can build a self-care plan to improve your quality of life.
How to Get Started with Prevention Services for Child Welfare (FNCS)
An informative and helpful infographic on how to get started with prevention services for child welfare from First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
Bent Arrow’s Experiences with an Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families
Bent Arrow partnered with PolicyWise on a wisdom-seeking journey. The purpose was to learn, document, and share Bent Arrow’s experiences with the implementation of An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Children, Youth and Families.
Building Stronger Child Welfare Systems Together (“Reconciliation Talks” Blog)
As non-Indigenous agencies, our role is to support and collaborate with Indigenous communities, acknowledging their expertise and authority in child welfare matters.
