Northern Ont. agency scrambling to find foster families

The Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services says it is urgently seeking families to care for children of all ages.

Officials with a northern Ontario Indigenous child welfare agency are sounding alarm bells amid federal funding cuts and an increase in need.

The need for foster families across the province has risen in recent years, but officials with Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services say that need has grown significantly this year.

More homes and a range of various caregivers are desperately needed, Nogdawindamin spokesperson Johnathan Boyer-Nolan told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca.

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“We understand that there is a process in terms of opening up their home,” Boyer-Nolan said.

“There’s a set criteria that our AC (alternative care) workers will walk that family through in terms of interviews, assessments, making sure that they’re a proper fit, get their RC pics and understand that they’re a safe home as well.”

Serving the North Shore area of Lake Huron from Sault Ste. Marie to Greater Sudbury, there are many types of alternative and foster care.

Boyer-Nolan said the agency would like to see a dozen new homes open to take in local children in need by the summer and double that by the fall.

Nogdawindamin is seeking stable homes for youth of all ages, including single and two-parent households, as well as short-term and respite options.

Officials say the urgent need for more homes is a result of federal funding cuts.

“There (are) some significant impacts coming to Jordan’s Principal funding in terms of the eligibility and criteria of approvals for the funding,” Boyer-Nolan said.

“So, currently, we do have six residences that we do operate and staff operate. However, given that allocation and the changes to the funding, we are going to be seeing a significant impact to, sustaining those homes.”

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The agency will be hosting two alternative care open house sessions on May 3.

There, prospective families can learn more about fostering and see what options suit them.