Changes only effective if not “watered down”

Don Langford thinks the government is moving in the right direction when it comes to changes to the child intervention system, but he is not totally sold on the amendments proposed in Bill 11.

“I support the minister … but I’m concerned about how much push back will he get from the rank and file, from his ministry….How much do they support him?” said Langford, executive director with Metis Child and Family Services.

Langford was in the Legislature on April 22 when Human Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar introduced Bill 11, the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Amendment Act. Langford said his presence – and his introduction by the minister – wasn’t in support of the bill but because he voiced disappointment over the lack of Aboriginal voices when it came to changes to the system. Langford points out that nearly 70 per cent of children in government care are Aboriginal yet there are no Aboriginal experts guiding the changes the department plans to make.

“I’m concerned that everything is rolling down from the top and there’s really been no community participation,” he said.

Bill 11 focuses on three points: changes to the publication ban on the names of children who die while in care; the creation of a quality assurance committee; and increasing the powers of the child and youth advocate.

The publication ban has been a point of contention for parents who have lost children while in care. Presently naming a child publicly can lead to a $10,000 fine.

“I see this as a human rights issue. I see it as something that anybody should have the right to mention their child’s name or show their picture if they want to,” said Frank Klemen, former social worker of 35 years and founder and president of Support to Individuals at Risk in Everyone’s Neighborhood Society.
SIRENS held a Day of Mourning to recognize children lost in care and violence the day before Bhullar introduced Bill 11.

Bill 11 now sets the onus on court action to obtain a publication ban. However, the government, through the director, who serves as guardian for many children in care, can still seek a publication ban along with the parents or family members. Bhullar said details on how a publication ban will be achieved need to be determined by regulations, which have yet to be set.

The bill also enables the child and youth advocate to examine the deaths of children, who have left government care.

A quality assurance committee will work to collect and share data to improve the system. It will also make an annual public report. Bhullar noted that social workers will be encouraged to speak out about changes needed without fear of repercussions.

“Anything we can do to make improvements based on data, research and learning from incidents is a good thing and the amendments introduced today will help bring forward the information we need as a government and as citizens of Alberta to create a system that is transparent, accountable and focused on quality assurance and continuous improvement,” Bhullar said.
Bhullar’s five-point plan for improving the system is also focused on addressing root causes that lead to children being taken into care.

While Liberal leader Raj Sherman commends Bhullar for his efforts, Sherman holds the provincial government has lost all credibility when it comes to improving the child intervention system.

“This should have been done years ago. The government has known about this for years,” said Sherman, who attended SIRENS Day of Mourning. “This is the very government that has caused the problems, has turned a blind eye.”

Bhullar said the amendments recently introduced are only the first step in improving the system.

“We’re building a system of continuous improvement. We are focused on action. This approach is helping to insure we have the best possible services for vulnerable children and families,” he said.

Langford supports the approach of moving forward on changes that can be undertaken immediately.

“I’m optimistic,” he said. “I hope (Bhullar) has the capability to make sure his stuff gets put into practise and doesn’t get watered down as it works its way down. That’s my biggest fear that a lot of what he wants to do will get watered down or diverted before it gets to the front line.”