O U R C H I L D R E N

Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services

Customary Care Coordinator

Dawn WickettTel: 705-763-2000

dawn.wickett@niijcfs.com

Toll Free: 1-855-223-5558

CustomaryCare

niijcfs.com

Niijaansinaanik

Let's keep our children in our communities!

What is aCustomary Care

Agreement?Customary Care practices areinfluenced by the cultures of theparents and the community, inwhich the child is being raised. The use of Customary CareAgreement is based on theprinciples of consensus, voluntaryparticipation, cooperation, andcollaboration of the care of thechild(ren). The Agreementrecognizes that members of thechild’s immediate and extendedfamily and community shareresponsibility in the provision ofcare to a child.

Types of Customary Care Agreements

Short-Term:  Temporaryplacements and signed forup to six months at a time. Long-Term: Can be in effectuntil the child turnseighteen years of age.

Works collaboratively with First Nations Families and Protection Agencies todevelop Customary Care Agreements.

The Customary Care Program is based on our Indigenous cultural belief system. Our Program recognizes and respects inherent rights of the Anishinabek.  This

model of Customary Care will be implemented only if the child is deemed in needof protection, as identified through a Child Welfare Authority or the Courts andthe respective First Nation community, declares that the child(ren) be cared forunder a Customary Care Agreement, through a Band Council Resolution (BCR).

Niijaasaananik Child and Family Services mission and mandate is to place childrenwith family and community first with a preference to utilize Customary Care aboveall other permanency options. It is the desire of the Agency that Customary CareAgreements be reached before any court applications are required. The programindividualizes each Agreement, encompassing traditional practices and/or healthy child rearing and care. All members of the family, extended family, relatives, andcommunity are involved in caring for children, whose families experience difficulties.  

What is Customary Care ?

Customary Care Coordinator

Monitors and assists in regular reviews of Customary Care Agreements.

The Rights of AnishinaabeChildren & Youth

are inherent and foreverin all care practices.

View List of Rights listed at: niijcfs.com/services/customary-care

Coordinates and ensures all documentation iscompleted for implementation of the CustomaryCare Agreement.

Provides education and awareness on Customary Care Programs and Services.

Niijaansinaanik Child andFamily Services is licensed by

the Ministry of Children,Community, and Social

Services (MCCSS) to approveAlternative Care Homes.

Who We Serve:Henvey Inlet, Dokis, Magnetawan,

Shawanaga, Wasauksing, andWahnapitae.

*Indigenous, Métis and Inuit Children& Families in the Parry Sound &

Nipissing District

Niijaansinaanik Child & FamilyServices is a family-focused

agency, that providesindividual, family & community

healing through prevention,intervention, cultural

education and communitydevelopment.

Customary Care Providers arerequired to meet Ministry and

Agency standards of care and toagree to participate in formal

planning and decision making forthe child and his/her family.