Are Indigenous children in care being put at risk in B.C.’s Fraser Valley? Former group home operator calls for investigation

A former group home operator in B.C.’s Fraser Valley is making troubling allegations about failures in the child welfare system.

Warning: Some readers may find this story disturbing

A boy in government care repeatedly smashed his head against the wall of a group home in B.C.’s Fraser Valley – hitting the surface hard enough to cause significant damage and serious concern, according to the facility’s former operator.

Michael Bray, director of Cedar Valley Community Living, told CTV News the disturbing situation unfolded just after the boy came into his care through a contract with Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (FVACFSS), also known as Xyólheméylh.

“He came to us, no meds, no safety gear, no nothing. He was smashing his head through walls, kneeing himself in the face,” said Bray who said the damage to the walls totalled about $12,000.

He told CTV News that he took the child to hospital, all the while trying to contact Xyólheméylh.

“No one was responding to me. We got nothing back. We got no help. Absolutely nothing from their office,” he said.

Bray alleges this is just one of the incidents he complained about that ultimately led to his contracts for four group homes with FVACFSS being cancelled after caring for about 30 children over a 12-year period.

“Some are low barrier, like maybe ADHD. We have other kids who are autistic, psychosis, fetal alcohol,” he explained, describing some of the issues among the children his workers and himself looked after.

Bray claims his problems with Xyólheméylh began when a relative of one of the children in his care bullied staff, made unfounded allegations and made racist comments about them. He said the relative was “calling people of colour gorillas, (using) the N word.”

Bray acknowledges there have been investigations into his homes, but said the complaints have always been determined to be unsubstantiated.

The decision to cancel the contract meant children had to be moved into new homes.

“They’re pulled away from their safety net, the people who care about and love them and it’s horrible for them,” Bray said.

One of the boys who was moved was 12 years old and had been with Cedar Valley for more than four years, according to his grandmother who can’t be named to protect the child’s identity.

“When he entered their home he was a very angry child, a lot of outbursts. It was all through Michael and the staff that worked there that turned it around. They were just so dedicated,” she said.

“He was very anxious about getting moved because he said it’ s like they’re taking me away from my second family,” she explained, but added that he has since adjusted well to his new environment.

Meanwhile, Bray alleges other concerns with Xyólheméylh include children waiting up to seven months to see their social worker and instances of workers caring for children before required background checks were complete.

He’s calling for an investigation by the province.

CTV News tried to speak with someone from Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services, but calls were not returned.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development would not speak to the specific case, but said in a statement that, “Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies (ICFSA), such as the Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (FVACFSS), have full authority to conduct protocol investigations on contracted staff homes and to sign and terminate service contracts. Contracts may be terminated or not renewed for a variety of reasons.”

The ministry statement also said, “When concerns come forward about an ICFSA or the ministry we take it very seriously and follow up with the ICFSA or ministry office.”

The ministry also said that its policy “requires that children be visited by a social worker every 90 days and ICFSAs require visits every 30 days. These are tracked in a database. If visits cannot happen then an exception from the supervisor is required and reasons are documented along with a plan to prioritize a visit.”

The ministry said agencies are also audited.

Meanwhile, Bray said he and his staff are now out of work and still looking for answers.