Archived - Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement — Health Support component

Name of horizontal initiative: Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement — Health Supports Component

Name of lead department(s): Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Lead department program: Residential Schools Resolution

Start date of the horizontal initiative: September 2003 (RHSP), July 2004 (Crisis Line)

End date of the horizontal initiative: March 31, 2016 (RHSP), March 31, 2016 (Crisis Line)

Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $480,690,019

Description of the horizontal initiative (including funding agreement): AANDC's Resolution and Individual Affairs Sector supports former students in crisis by funding the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, a national, 24-hour toll-free support service (1-866-925-4419) operated by trained crisis counselors, including Aboriginal councelors. AANDC is also responsible for coordinating the verification of program eligibility, and ensuring that Health Canada is aware of dates for Independent Assessment Process hearings and Truth and Reconciliation and Commemoration events as they arise, so that health supports can be provided to former students in a seamless fashion.

Health Canada's Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP), a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) ensures that former students of Indian residential schools and their families can safely address a broad spectrum of mental wellness issues related to the disclosure of childhood abuse through all phases of the IRSSA. The RHSP components include: cultural support services provided by Elders; emotional support services provided by Resolution Health Support Workers; professional counseling; and assistance with the cost of transportation to access counseling, Elder, and/or Traditional Healer services.

Shared outcome(s): The IRSSA Health Supports component works toward the achievement of two outcomes:

• Eligible former students of Indian residential schools and their families have access to mental health and emotional support services.
• Eligible former students of Indian residential schools can safely address a broad spectrum of mental wellness issues related to the disclosure of childhood abuse.

Governance structure(s): AANDC is responsible for the overall implementation of the IRSSA and is working in partnership with Health Canada to coordinate and provide services for former Indian residential school students throughout all phases of the IRSSA.

Planning highlights: The Health Supports component will:

• continue to deliver professional, paraprofessional and cultural supports to former Indian residential school students and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program;
• provide former Indian residential school students and their families with access to a 24-hour national crisis line;
• disseminate information about the health supports program; and
• strengthen research, knowledge and training initiatives to ensure that health supports are well suited to meet the needs of Indian residential school students, their families and communities.

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners if applicable: Not Applicable