Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In terms of the costs of placing children in foster homes and residential care, when is the last time the foster care rates were reviewed for Northerners who participate with the government in this work? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The authorities and the department are working right now on the whole foster care program, both the program itself and the rates because there is a significant variation for foster rates among the authorities. So we are trying to come up with some common standards that reflect the need for the children as well as the cost of living with the different authorities so we are working on this together. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

My question was when was the last time the rates were reviewed and you are saying there is work going on in the department right now to look at that. At one point, there was consideration given to a program similar to what they have in Alberta that would actually see different types of foster homes licensed, the parents trained to take care of different children with different types of needs. So in fact you could have three different levels of foster homes, perhaps ones who would do just short-term placements that might not require too much training while the children are in transition to something more different, more permanent or more extensive. You might have another type of training available to a home that would be licensed to deal with children and their behaviour problems, actually accrediting different homes with training for the parents to look after these children. What is the status of that work? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just wrote a letter to the Member for Mackenzie Delta with his concern about foster placements and I indicate in the letter that there have clearly been inconsistencies identified in per diem rates, special needs, reimbursable rates for children across authorities. There is a working group that is working with the Foster Parent Association and with departmental authorities to look at some of the issues raised, not only the funding rates but some of the issues raised by Mrs. Groenewegen in terms of the types of foster homes, which would affect the rates as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was wondering if the Minister could also tell us if there has been any consideration by the department given to the concept of rather than apprehending and taking children into care, actually offering parental support in the home where there are a number of children and it could be even more effective and perhaps more cost-effective to bring someone into the home as opposed to taking the children out. What's the Minister's and the department's stance on that concept?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a method of interaction between the department and parents that has shown a significant increase over the last couple of years. There are voluntary agreements reached or joint agreements reached between the parent and the department that would allow the department, by working together, to bring resources to the family situation. So it is a method that is gaining usage and is being encouraged to try to keep children with the family and support the family whenever possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is that approach with family support being taken right now as we speak in the communities in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Yes, it is. It is a fairly standard practice. Some of the child welfare stats that we have just recently pulled together, which I would be happy to share with the committee, outline the approach and how it's used, how often it's used compared to just taking children into departmental care. There has been a significant increase in usage of that approach.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What kind of credentials or background would people have that would be hired by the health authorities to do this kind of work to go into homes and work with parents?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there are social workers and child protection workers. Is the Member asking if we hire people to work with the families in terms of support like CNAs or some kind of aid? I am not quite clear on the question.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am talking about people who would be hired to go into the home to spend eight hours a day with the family, offering support to the parents and to the children, as opposed to removing the children from the home. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That would depend on what the need is identified to be. For example, we're currently working to try to provide support to one family with a child who has very special needs. She's asked that we use the approach that they use in BC, which is funds are flowed to the parents and the parents bring in the resources that they know best are required by their child. We are working to try to assist that way. So that's one option that we're using, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.