This report was published by the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Social Work.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS REPORT:

This report provides a comprehensive overview of a research project that began in September 2003. The project involved 124 First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) agencies and communities across Canada and describes their experiences with, and perceptions of, service planning and provision for children and youth with learning and/or behavioural disabilities.

The objectives of the study were multiple. First, the study was designed to further knowledge related to the needs of Aboriginal children with learning and/or behavioural disabilities in the care of Aboriginal child welfare agencies. This included an understanding of current First Nations child welfare agencies’ policies and practices involved with the planning and provision of services to these children and their families.

The study also included an examination of collateral service providers and community members’ perspectives and experiences with meeting the needs of this group of children. Ultimately, research goals were to identify challenges and ‘œbest practice’ for addressing the needs of children with learning and/or behavioural disabilities.