THUNDER BAY – LIVING – Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Children’s Aid Society of Thunder Bay recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month in Thunder Bay. The organizations came together to launch the annual Step UP campaign asking adults to put themselves in the shoes of innocent children whose safety, happiness and health is being threatened. It reminds the community that we are ALL responsible to protect children and we must Step UP.
Rob Richardson, Executive Director of the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay stated, “We often forget what it’s like to be a child. They are little, vulnerable and learning new things every day. Children often don’t understand why negative things happen to them and they are afraid to ask for help. It is important for us to recognize the subtle signs of child abuse and to make that call when we have any concerns at all.”
Child abuse includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse and/or neglect. It also addresses a pattern of abuse and risks of harm. Abused children do not always show obvious warning signs of abuse or neglect. By stepping up, adults can save the life of a child or give a family in crisis the help they need.
“It’s so important that we work as a community to keep children safe. Over 114,000 adults live in the Thunder Bay district. Everyone wants the best for children, every organization, every community, every parent” explained Darcia Borg, Executive Director of Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. “The bottom line is we always want what’s best for kids, but sometimes we’re just not sure
The issue of proper child care and how child care agencies work with families has been the subject of work by many First Nation communities. Mishkeegogaming First Nation has launched a process bringing Band Council members, Elders from the community and families together to work to re-unify families.
In Gull Bay First Nation, there are at present no children in the community who are currently in Dilico care. The community is working with families, and with Dilico offering needed help and support.
Critics of the agencies tell NNL that while there are times the agencies is doing what they see as best for the child, there are incidents where the best care for the child is not seemingly the top priority.
Other critics point to moves by child care agencies to take children into care, but not supply the needed help and support to parents to bring families back together. That leaves parents feeling helpless and hopeless in many cases and according to sources talking to NNL, parents feeling there is no hope simply continue on the downward spiral that caused the child care officials to get involved in the first place.
There are however success stories out there, and by working together agencies and families along with First Nations can help solve these issues.
Child Care Agencies Contact Info
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and The Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay deliver a range of responsive individual, family and community programs to children, individuals and families in northern Ontario. The agencies work collaboratively with families, youth, children and communities so all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
If you have concerns about a child, please call:
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care: 1-855-623-8511 (Emergency service 24 hours a day)
Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay: 1-800-465-3905 or (807) 343-6100 to make a referral.
