Evaluation of the Mid-Term National Review for the Strategic Evaluation of the Enhanced Prevention Focussed Approach for the First Nation Child and Family Services Program - Follow-up Report Status Update as of December 31, 2014

• While continuing to work collaboratively with relevant federal and provincial ministries through existing tripartite tables, bi-lateral forums and other communication opportunities, AANDC HQ and Regions will explore the feasibility of Federal/Provincial/Territorial working groups as a means to facilitate the sharing of best practices and collaboration between all levels of government. Sharing best practices on-reserve will be done in an attempt to assist the provinces in their development of policies regarding culturally appropriate services off-reserve.

Status: Completed - Closed

Update/Rationale:
As of 22/02/2013:

AANDC is working with Tripartite Tables in the Regions to address how both federal and provincial governments can assist in improving service delivery on reserve including cultural appropriateness of services.

For example, AANDC has been meeting with Alberta FNCFS agency Directors, First Nation PTOs, and the province to discuss challenges and strengths within the CFS program. Work will continue on both a strengthened tripartite engagement process and a bilateral accountability framework aimed at improving services and results for First Nation children in Alberta.

As well, in Nova Scotia, a tripartite Executive Steering Committee meets regularly to understand the continuum of provincial services, as well as provincial staffing standards to ensure better response times. The tripartite committee is in the process of having a consultant conduct an organizational review and provide coaching for the development of a new Business Plan. This will support operational effectiveness and enhance service delivery in the one FNCFS Agency in Nova Scotia.

All jurisdictions transitioned to EPFA are based on tripartite frameworks, and these tripartite groups comprised of First Nations, and Provincial and Federal officials, continue to meet regularly in order to ensure FNCFS Agencies are aware of provincial trends and training sessions. Annually updated Business Plans are a requirement of funding agreements between AANDC and FNCFS Agencies, and these are reviewed and approved by the respective province before being accepted by AANDC.

AES: Closed

• AANDC Headquarters and Regional offices recognize the challenges of consistent follow-up and will explore the feasibility of developing an approach of proactively addressing these challenges, as agreed upon by relevant stakeholders.

Status: Completed - Closed

Update/Rationale
As of 31/03/2013:

Ongoing tripartite meetings take place in all six EPFA jurisdictions to monitor progress. Tripartite meetings took place in British Columbia in January 2013 to update the 2008 framework for the implementation of EPFA. Tripartite meetings were held in January 2013 in Nova Scotia to continue the monitoring of implementation of EPFA. Tripartite meetings took place in Manitoba in March 2013 to discuss the development of a data sharing agreement.

Tripartite meetings were held in Alberta in January and March 2013 to discuss a tripartite engagement process and to continue the monitoring of the implementation of EPFA. Regular tripartite meetings also take place in Saskatchewan and PEI.

AES: Closed

Status: Completed - Closed

Update/Rationale:
As of 30/09/2012:

Bi-lateral conference calls with regions continue to take place on a regular basis.  Monthly conference calls continue to be held between HQ FNCFS program staff and their regional counterparts, and the SPPB DG and ARDGs on all Branch issues.

In addition, FNCFS had a face-to-face meeting with regional counterparts in May 2012. This meeting targeted program management issues such as risk-based reporting and Data Collection Instruments, and policy issues such as targeted funding/unexpended funds and program terms and conditions.

 A Branch-wide email inquiry address is now in place; this address is provided for AANDC regional staff requiring clarification on respective program policies or management practices from SPPB. HQ responses and clarifications are stored in a repository that is available to all regional and HQ users.

These forums continue to improve the flow of information between FNCFS HQ and regions.

AES: Closed

• The Operations and Quality Management directorate of SPPB has been developing and updating tools, manuals, guidelines and templates in order to enhance compliance and reduce reporting burden in the regions and agencies. These documents will be completed and shared with regions and recipients by on an as-built-basis starting in October 2011 with final implementation scheduled by March 31, 2012.

Status:  Request to close

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/12/2014:

National Compliance Tools were finalized for FNCFS. Compliance Pilot Projects were undertaken in Saskatchewan in November 2014. Tools are being amended to address outcomes of Pilot Projects.

• An AANDC department wide capacity development initiative is currently being developed that will help identify ways in which to enhance capacity within First Nations communities. Following the implementation of this initiative AANDC will assess linkages that could strengthen First Nation Capacity under the FNCFS program.

• The 5-year Business Plans are a required mechanism for funding under EPFA in response to improving accountability within the FNCFS Program. AANDC will review the existing Business Plan template and make modifications as needed, in conjunction with the departmental-wide exercise of implementing the Policy on Transfer Payments and reducing the overall recipient reporting burden.

FNCFS Program has developed a draft Business Plan Template. The template is being revised through a National Working Group and is expected to be completed for approval in February 2015. The agencies' Final Report is also being revised into a template. The reporting cycle has been amended to facilitate the agencies' reporting requirements.

When new tools and or documentation are being developed and or updated, training is offered in each region by FNCFS regional officials. Training is either offered through quarterly meetings with agencies directors or by advising agencies directors of regional officials availabilities should they require assistance.

AES: Close - Fully Implemented.