nual Repo ion: An rt 2019 inat -202 ord 0 Co ce vi er S ed c n a h n E le p i c n i r P ’s n a d r o J Every Child Matters 2019 - 2020 Every Child Matters Jordan’s Principle Enhanced Service Coordination Annual Report 2019-2020 FNHC Annual Report 1 2019 - 2020 FNHC Annual Report Smith Wright, Siksika Nation, titled: Learning to Fly 2 Acknowledgments The First Nations Health Consortium • Service providers and vendors representing an array of multiple disciplines and industries who respond quickly to dedicates this report to First Nations our requests to address children’s needs children and their families across • Management team members who guide and support Alberta. You are the reason we are here. staff in doing competent work FNHC is pleased to present our 2019-2020 annual report. Our report speaks to the fundamental • First Nations Chiefs and their Councils in Alberta who encourage, guide, and promote our work underpinnings of our work: that every First Nations 2019 - 2020 child deserves the same level of services and supports as those provided to non-First Nations children. • FNHC Board of Directors for their dedicated leadership in creating the conditions that enable FNHC to be the best it can be Our values reflect our passion and commitment. Every child matters... and we will do all we can to improve • Government of Alberta, especially the Ministries of Health the quality of their lives. This report demonstrates and Children’s Services, and Indigenous Services Canada, the difference we are able to make in children’s lives especially the First Nations Inuit Health Regional Office in through strong leadership, effective management, Edmonton, for their support and collaboration in working capable staff and service providers, all in collaboration towards the best outcomes for First Nations children with our many valued stakeholders. With the above strong and committed cadre of people We are about people. People with strong values who working on behalf of the needs of First Nations children, no FNHC Annual Report put those values to work every day in supporting child will be forgotten. Our commitment is steadfast and will the needs of First Nations children. We extend our remain so in proving that every child matters. gratitude and heartfelt thank you to all who contribute to improving children’s lives: G. Barry Phillips, Executive Director • Families and their children who put their trust in us First Nations Health Consortium On behalf of the Board of Directors • Frontline staff who work diligently and with compassion to meet children’s needs 3 Welcome from the FNHC Chairman, Tyler White Oki, February 14, 2017 was This report speaks to some of the success stories the program has a pivotal day for Indigenous provided. Our program parameters are consistently changing as families and children in gaps in service are identified, and we recognize that more needs Alberta. The First Nations to be done. We will continue to provide our services in the spirit of Health Consortium (FNHC), reconciliation as we acknowledge that intergenerational trauma consisting of Bigstone Health still has an effect on our Indigenous Children. Commission, Kee Tas Kee Now Health Services, Maskwacis Indigenous Services Canada-Alberta Region and FNHC are leaders in Service Coordination, and we stand committed to 2019 - 2020 Health Services, and Siksika Tyler White Health launched the Jordan‘s advocate for progressive change that protects the rights of Chairman Principle Enhanced Service the children we serve. Coordination project to service all Alberta First Nations living on and off Reserve. Our collective leadership provides wisdom and guidelines through a Strategic Planning process that our Management To date we helped close the gap in services for over Team develops into action plans. When implemented, it 2,000 children through the program. Indigenous improves our outreach to ensure continued compliance to Children have benefited in many ways, who before, the Jordan’s Principle Judicial and Tribunal Orders. would have been forgotten in the system, their needs denied and unmet. Our dedicated Access Workers and Thank you to our Leadership, our Management and our Staff Regional Service Coordinators work with the families for their continued focus and support for Jordan’s Principle. FNHC Annual Report to identify not just the need, but create a solution that improves the health, wellness, education, and Most importantly, thank you to the youth and parents who sociability for these children. reach out and access our services in times of vulnerability. We will continue to keep Indigenous Children as our focus in all Helping children reach their maximum potential our efforts as an organization. strengthens our communities and keeps our commitment to “No Child 4-Gotten,” and “none will be left behind.” Tyler White Chairman 4 Opening message Executive Director, Barry Phillips As the Executive Director of 4-Gotten”. Every effort in supporting a family or child’s request this organization and with 45 is managed. I cannot thank these staff members enough for years of health management their hard work. Their success means the organization’s efforts experience, this is the most and the objectives underlying Jordan’s Principle are being satisfying job I have ever had. met. We make a difference in Lots still needs to be done. The data we’ve collected the lives of every child and demonstrates that new, innovative, and less bureaucratic family we can help. methods of recognition and resolution in areas of need have 2019 - 2020 Barry Phillips to be developed and implemented. But we are on the right Executive Director As you read through this road and with the continued support from our Governments Report you will see real and First Nations Leadership we can and will continue to make examples of needs being met and children whose a difference. future has been changed for the good. Families who have now been provided with opportunities that were Please read this Report. It allows all of us to appreciate what previously unavailable to them are experiencing hope has been done and what needs to yet be accomplished if we and comfort. truly want to remove the barriers of inequality and inequity of service forever. Actions taken by our government to ensure unbiased, respectful, and just service, is available and funded, Our Board of four very successful Health Managers understands and narrows the gap in inequality of service and what needs to be done and supports the TEAM by ensuring we FNHC Annual Report removes jurisdictional barriers. Previously, these gaps have the resources needed to meet their strategy and plans. and barriers placed obstacles in reaching the full We thank them for their leadership and direction. potential of a child’s health, social, and educational goals. The children we service need your support. They have ours and together we can make a difference. Every child matters. Our team of dedicated people from various backgrounds and careers bring their experience, G. Barry Phillips, skill, and determination to making sure that “No Child Executive Director 5 2019 - 2020 ©Copyright 2020 by First Nations Health Consortium ISBN: 978-1-64945-056-2 1-844-558-8748 ~ www.abfnhc.com Printed at Budget Printing 5537 Gateway Blvd NW Edmonton, Alberta FNHC Annual Report Cover Art by Colleen Whiskeyjack of Saddle Lake Cree Nation All rights reserved. Reporting by: The First Nations Health Consortium Project Management by: Carol Blair of Carol Blair and Associates Inc. with assistance from Colette Cornejo, Carol Blair and Associates, and Danie Hardie, Creative Communications Ltd Published by: The First Nations Health Consortium Design and production by: Cristian Enciso and Dylan Lightbourn of Circle Teachings 6 Every Child Matters Enhanced Service Coordination for Jordan’s Principle Annual Report 2019-2020 Throughout these pages you’ll learn more about why we exist, what we believe in, and how we’re changing children’s lives. Table of Contents 2019 - 2020 Our Beginnings ................................................. 8 Making a Difference in Children’s Lives ............. 14 Continually Improving our Processes ................ 34 Connecting Through Communications .............. 40 FNHC Annual Report On the National Stage ........................................ 44 Moving Forward Together .................................. 46 Appendices Detailed Statistics .......................... 60 7 2019 - 2020 FNHC Annual Report Our Beginnings What is Jordan’s Principle? Jordan’s Principle is a Child-First Initiative created in Jordan River Anderson’s honour. It ensures that First Nations children have equal and fair access to services available to other Canadian children. Jordan’s Principle shields First Nations children from government disputes. Our Beginnings 8 Gladys LangkampBeaded papoose by We’re continuing the legacy of Jordan River Anderson 2019 - 2020 FNHC Annual Report Who is Jordan River Anderson? Jordan River Anderson was a First Nations boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, who was born with a rare neuromuscular disease. Because his complex medical needs could not be treated on reserve, Jordan was transferred to a hospital in Winnipeg, far from his community and family home. In 2001, a hospital-based team decided that Jordan’s needs would best be met in a specialized foster home closer to his home community. However, federal and provincial governments argued over financial responsibility for Jordan’s proposed in-home services. During these conflicts, Jordan