Thank you, Mr. Chair. I've been on this committee off and on since 1994. It is quite different to come here presenting rather than being presented to.
Thank you for your introduction. I do have two officials with me. They're both people I'm quite familiar with, and they do a good job.
I'm very proud of what the government has committed to do and what we've accomplished in the way of child and family services.
I appreciate this opportunity to assist the committee as it considers issues related to child and family services on reserve. We will do our best to answer the questions that the committee has, but I'd like to make a few remarks first.
Child welfare is one of the most complex areas of public policy, given that decisions about the care and protection of children have lasting effects on children, their families, and communities. All children are protected by provincial child welfare legislation, as child and family services are matters of provincial jurisdiction. Provincial governments delegate to service providers both on and off reserve and are responsible for ensuring that they comply with provincial legislation and standards.
Over the past 20 years, the number of first nations child and family services agencies has grown considerably. Today we have 106 of these agencies delivering programs under agreements with provincial child welfare authorities. The amount of funding provided by INAC, by the department, through its first nations child and family services program has increased dramatically, from $193 million 14 years ago to $550 million last year.
The welfare of First Nations children is a matter of great importance to this government, and we see tripartite partnerships as the best way to work together on improving outcomes for First Nations children and families on reserve.
There is growing evidence that a prevention-based approach to child and family services is more effective than previous, protection-based models. Studies have shown that early intervention helps keep families together and leads to better outcomes for children and families.
Three years ago, INAC completed a tripartite framework with Alberta First Nations and the province to implement a prevention-based approach known as the Alberta response model. It focuses on proactive intervention, on delivering appropriate services before problems escalate and become a matter for child protection.