Pan Canadian Children and Youth Aboriginal Health Transition Fund (AHTF)

First Nations children and youth in Saskatchewan face complex issues (alcohol and drugs, foster care, poverty etc.) that adversely affect health conditions, nutrition, and mental health. These issues coupled with jurisdictional funding challenges between the Federal Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan often make access to services extremely problematic and in some cases prevent the development and implementation of needed programming and services leaving First Nations children, youth and families with no where to turn when they require support.

The Pan-Canadian AHTF agreement is a means to achieve greater coordination and integration of provincial and federal policies, programs and services targeted to First Nations children in Saskatchewan, including the 19-22 age-group. Research confirms the benefits of early learning and care programs and yet many of our children do not have access to these programs.  Standards of care for these purposes do not exist for Saskatchewan’s First Nations children. A collaborative approach, led by First Nations, to develop and implement these standards of care are required that meet the needs of Saskatchewan’s First Nations children.

The FSIN Pan-Canadian project will assist in the development of a strategy to address health and social gaps and identify innovative policy and program approaches and solutions that will provide for a more equitable approach to address the quality services for First Nations children and youth.


CURRENT STATUS:

FSIN staff are working with the First Nations communities in Saskatchewan and with the federal and provincial governments to identify and plan projects aimed at addressing regional integration and adaptation issues, including: Regional and Community Policy Development; Issues on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; Communication and Reporting (through the development of appropriate joint working groups; and, Evaluation activities through accredited research institutes including the development of health indicators and realistic achievable goals.

A web portal has been developed to assist children, youth, families and health care providers.  It is still under construction and can be viewed through this website or click the following link www.fsin.com/healthandsocial/childportal