Fact Sheet: Jordan's Principle - Addressing the Needs of First Nations Children
Backgrounder
The Government of Canada’s new approach to Jordan’s Principle is a child-first approach that addresses in a timely manner the needs of First Nations children living on reserve with a disability or a short-term condition. It ensures all children have access to the health and social services they need, when they need them. The Government of Canada has committed up to $382 million in funding to this proactive response. Work is starting immediately and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and Health Canada are already applying the broader definition.
The new approach to Jordan’s Principle includes the following key components:
- Enhanced Service Coordination
- Service Acces Resolution
- Engagement with First Nations and jurisdictional partners on a longer-term approach
Together, these will ensure that the federal government is positioned to meet the goal of immediately responding to the needs of First Nations children living on-reserve while also working to develop the capacity to proactively identity and manage the support and service needs of vulnerable children.
Enhanced Service Coordination
The Service Coordination function addresses critical gaps for First Nations children living on-reserve. It will address health and social service gaps not met by provinces or the Yukon Territory and improve case management functions of existing federal programs. It will also help to manage costs and support a more comprehensive approach to data collection.
How it will work
Health Canada will administer Funding Arrangements with First Nations organizations to hire a regional Service Coordinator that will:
- assess needs
- facilitate early intervention
- develop integrated care plans
- connect the child and family to needed services
- remove the stress of navigating service systems
- support families as they manage their needs
- involve Jordan’s Principle focal points, as necessary, to expediently address immediate service gaps.
Service Access Resolution and Management
The service access resolution and management function will provide the ability to intervene and prevent a disruption or delay in supports and services – which is key to the Government’s response to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision regarding Jordan’s Principle.
How it will work
The service access resolution fund will be administered by Health Canada with joint oversight by Health Canada and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Assistant Deputy Ministers.
When service coordination attempts do not resolve issues or identify needs that are not met through existing programs, support will be provided and paid for through the fund.
Engaging Partners
Engagement is a key component of the new approach to Jordan’s Principle.
How it will work
First Nations and jurisdictional partners will be engaged on the design, management and implementation of the service access resolution and management component, as well as longer-term policy and program reform.
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