December 7, 2006
REVIEWS OF DEATHS OF CHILDREN IN CARE WOULD BE STRENGTHENED WITH PROPOSED LEGISLATION: MACKINTOSH

Proposals Would Expand Powers of Children's Advocate, Role of Ombudsman
Independent reviews of the deaths of children served by the child welfare system would be strengthened by proposed amendments to the Child and Family Services Act, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh said today.
The proposed amendments would transfer responsibility from the chief medical examiner to the children’s advocate for the review of services provided under the Child and Family Services Act to a child who died while in care or within one year of the child or family receiving services. The chief medical examiner maintains the powers to investigate a death or to call an inquest. (more)

November 23, 2006
MANITOBANS INVITED TO `JOIN THE CIRCLE OF CARE,' BECOME A FOSTER PARENT

Child and Family Services Authorities Unveil Foster Family Recruitment Campaign, Hotel Use Strategy
Manitobans are being encouraged to Join the Circle of Care as part of a provincewide foster family recruitment campaign launched today by the Child and Family Services Authorities and Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh.
“Foster families step in and provide care and stability when parents face overwhelming challenges,” said Lisa Champagne of the Métis Child and Family Services Authority. “In partnership with foster families, we can help provide that care.” (more)

November 16, 2006
REMOVING BARRIERS: WINNIPEG PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT INVESTS IN COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SERVICE CENTRE PROJECT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Low-income households with limited access to traditional banking services will benefit from a $300,000 investment by the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA) in the Community Financial Services Centre (CFSC) project. This two-year pilot project, co-ordinated by the North End Community Renewal Corporation, will help bridge the banking services gap for Winnipeggers currently relying on high-cost fringe financial services.
Steve Ashton, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Joy Smith, MP for Kildonan – St. Paul, on behalf of Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Mike Pagtakhan, Councillor for Point Douglas, on behalf of Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg, made the announcement today at the CFSC launch. (more)

November 2, 2006
PROVINCE ANNOUNCES NEW AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND `AT THE ROOTS' FUND FOR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence Prevention Month Launched in Manitoba
Information about the cycle of domestic violence and its impact on children of the family is the focus of a new public awareness campaign launched for domestic violence prevention month by Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh.
“Domestic violence not only affects the direct victim, but also the children who see and hear the trauma,” Mackintosh said. “These children are at greater risk of becoming violent themselves and suffering serious emotional problems.” (more)

October 30, 2006
PROVINCE LAUNCHES FOSTERING RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE UNDER CHANGES FOR CHILDREN STRATEGY

$6.1-million Strategy to Increase Support for Foster Parents, Children: Mackintosh
Foster families will see increased funding, a recruitment campaign and improved training under a three-point strategy launched today by Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh. Making fostering more attractive for Manitobans underlies the first stage of a new recruitment campaign as a part of the Changes For Children action plan, Mackintosh said. As a first step, rates for foster parents will increase more than 23 per cent over 14 months starting Jan. 1. Included in these improvements are increases of 36 per cent for recreation, camp, gifts and lessons for foster children.
“This is a strategy aimed at encouraging more Manitobans to open their hearts and homes to children in care,” Mackintosh said. (more)

October 13, 2006
"CHANGES FOR CHILDREN" ACTION PLAN OUTLINED; $42 MILLION INITIALLY COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING CHILD WELFARE

A Changes for Children action plan has been launched to implement the more than 220 recommendations of the children’s advocate and the ombudsman following Wednesday’s release of reports into the child welfare system, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“The government takes the recommendations made in the external reviews very seriously and our commitment to make meaningful change must be backed by an effective implementation plan,” said Mackintosh. “I am confident that Dr. Catherine Cook, regional director of Aboriginal health at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and Reg Toews, M.S.W., founder of the former Children and Youth Secretariat, have the expertise needed to improve Manitoba’s child welfare system.” (more)

October 12, 2006
GREATER POWERS, RESOURCES TO BE PROPOSED FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE, OMBUDSMAN

Each Death of Child in Care To be Externally, Fully Reviewed: Mackintosh
Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh today announced that legislation will be introduced in the upcoming session that would expand the roles of the children's advocate and ombudsman in reviewing the deaths of children in care.
Mackintosh said a bill will be proposed to the legislature this fall which would:
-- assign responsibility to the children's advocate to examine the circumstances of each child death in Manitoba and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths; and
-- require the ombudsman to report publicly on the government's compliance with the recommendations of the children's advocate. (more)

October 11, 2006
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS OF CHILD WELFARE REVIEWS AS BLUEPRINT FOR ACTION

The Manitoba government today committed to work with the province’s four child welfare authorities, the federal government and communities to implement more than 200 recommendations stemming from three external child welfare reviews.
“Every single death of a child is tragic,” said Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the survivors of these loved ones. As the children’s advocate reminds us, to honour their spirits, we must redouble our collective efforts to reduce the risk of such loss.” (more)

September 22, 2006
ACCESSIBLE APARTMENTS FOR LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME MANITOBANS OFFICIALLY OPEN IN STEINBACH, MANITOBA

STEINBACH, September 22, 2006 - A new apartment complex in Steinbach opened today creating more affordable housing for low- to moderate-income Manitobans. The apartments will also be accessible for people with disabilities. The project is being supported with more than $1.5 million from the Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI).
The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and Doug Martindale, MLA for Burrows, on behalf of the Honourable Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Manitoba Family Services and Housing and Minister responsible for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation announced the grand opening today. The new project has been led by Eden East Inc. and is located at 151 Penfield Drive, in Steinbach. (more)