Delegated Aboriginal agencies

Delegated Aboriginal agencies:

• have an agreement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development to provide child welfare services, and
• might have the power to take your child from your home and place your child in foster care.

Child protection laws in BC recognize the importance of Aboriginal family ties to Aboriginal children. Delegated Aboriginal agencies are part of an effort to restore the responsibilities of child protection and family support to Aboriginal communities.

What do delegated Aboriginal agencies do?

Delegated Aboriginal agencies might offer the following services:

• support services for the whole family
• help with preparing a voluntary care agreement for your child
• help with writing, monitoring, and reviewing your child's plan of care
• help with writing special needs agreements for your child if your child has special needs
• monitoring how your child is doing while they're in foster care
• help for youth who are moving toward independence

Some delegated Aboriginal agencies also have the power to:

• get and look into reports of child abuse and neglect
• get supervision orders to make sure your child is safe and healthy
• take your child from your home and place them in a relative's care, such as an aunt, uncle, or grandparent
• deal with social workers to place a child for adoption

Where can I find a delegated Aboriginal agency?

Aboriginal delegated Aboriginal agencies work with families living on reserve and off reserve across BC. Your band office or government agent office in your community might have the name of the delegated Aboriginal agency in your area.

You can also check a full list of the delegated Aboriginal agencies in BC on the ministry's website.

You have the right to get legal advice if a social worker from the ministry or a delegated Aboriginal agency:

• contacts you or visits your home to ask questions about your family
• threatens to take your children away
• takes your children away

Call Legal Aid BC

Child protection matters are covered by legal aid. Call Legal Aid BC immediately at 1-866-577-2525 or 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver) to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer and an advocate through a Parents Legal Centre.

If you don't qualify for a lawyer, there are other free legal aid resources available to you.

Ask for support

You can ask for support from your Aboriginal community throughout the child protection process:

• If you're being investigated by the ministry and your band or Aboriginal community is represented by a delegated Aboriginal agency, you can ask the ministry to inform the delegated Aboriginal agency of the investigation.
• Whether you're being investigated by the ministry or a delegated Aboriginal agency, you can ask for a representative from your band or friendship centre who will support you during the investigation. This representative can help your child stay connected to their Aboriginal family and community.

Ask for a mediator

A mediator can help you work with the ministry. A mediator is a professional who's specially trained to:

• not take sides,
• help people reach an agreement, and
• help people work out conflicts.

You can ask for a mediator as soon as the social worker has contacted you.

Mediation is free for families who are involved with the ministry. Mediators can travel to remote communities. For more information, see Mediation.