Inuit Child First Initiative Operational Bulletin
Updates to the implementation of the Inuit Child First Initiative
Objective: To provide information on the changes to operating procedures related to processing requests under the Inuit Child First Initiative.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is implementing changes to operating procedures related to processing requests under Jordan's Principle. The implementation of these changes will also apply to the Inuit Child First Initiative as operationally it has mirrored Jordan's Principle processes since its creation in 2018 as the interim approach for Inuit children.
ISC and Inuit partners are continuing to co-develop an Inuit specific approach that will form the basis of operations for the long term and, when approved, will work together to transition to that model of delivery. While co-development continues, ISC Regions will work to ensure that the implementation of this updated direction reflects the unique context for the Inuit Child First Initiative.
ISC is working on the implementation of the Inuit Child First Initiative and its long-term sustainability. ISC is reviewing processes and policies at regional and national levels with long-term sustainability in mind. This will ensure more consistent and clearer policies and communications about the services Inuit children can access through the Inuit Child First Initiative and the required documentation to access those services and supports.
ISC has begun implementing updated procedures for the approval of products, services, and supports under the Inuit Child First Initiative. To make sure resources are used in line with the Inuit Child First Initiative, requests must relate to achieving substantive equality for Inuit children.
Due to the significant increase in the numbers of requests, ISC is implementing new ways to process requests to expedite decision making and address the increased demand.
ISC is expanding the decision making to regional offices to limit duplication in processes and extending decision making powers to regional staff to speed up the processing of requests.
To better understand how this might impact you, here is what you need to know:
1. Information about requests
What is being clarified
Please note that certain types of requests will no longer be approved based on criteria below. Requests that have not been processed or received yet will be subject to the following.
Any request must show:
- How the requested product, service or support meets the distinct needs of the Inuk child, and
- How the child either:
- experienced gaps or delays in accessing government services, or
- was denied an existing government service because of their identity as a Inuk child
Requests need to include appropriate supporting documentation from a licensed professional. This documentation must clearly link the requested product, service, or support to the child's specific needs.
Additionally, ISC has determined, based on its analysis of legal obligations related to substantive equality under the Inuit Child First Initiative, that funding for the following items will not be approved unless such funding is required by substantive equality:
- Purchase, construction or structural renovations of homes.
- Requests to support sporting events or elite/competitive sport-related training unless they are linked to the specific health, social, or educational needs of the Inuk child.
- International travel, unless it is related to an exceptional medical need of an Inuk child.
- Non-medical supports such as travel costs, non-medical respite care, child care, clothing, furniture and vehicles, unless accompanied by a letter of support from a medical professional. The professional must be able to provide a child-specific recommendation based on their professional designation and their knowledge of the Inuk child's specific needs.
- School-related requests, unless linked to the specific health, social or educational need of the Inuk child. Supports to school boards off-reserve and private schools will be redirected to provincial school boards or other existing provincial and federally funded programs.
- Automatic administrative fees within group requests, Including salaries, service fees and overhead costs.
Repeats of previous requests
- Each new request will be considered on a case-by-case basis. An existing or previously-approved request does not guarantee that a request for new funding will be renewed or approved.
Eligibility for children under the Inuit Child First Initiative
- These changes do not impact the eligibility of Inuit children under the Inuit Child First Initiative. For information about eligibility of children, visit Supporting Inuit children.
- Eligibility for the Inuit Child First Initiative continues to be for Inuit children under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence.
For help or more information
- If you have any questions or need assistance with preparing your request, please contact your regional focal point. They are available to provide guidance and support throughout the process.
- If your request is denied, you may appeal the decision following the process outlined at How to appeal decisions
2. For parents and guardians
Information to include with the request for a child
- Detailed description of the child's needs:
- Clearly explain how the requested product, service, or support will address the child's specific health, social or educational needs.
- Supporting documentation:
- All requests must be accompanied by a letter of support that demonstrates how the requested product, service or support links directly to the child's unmet health, social or educational needs.
- Letters of support must be provided by a health professional, educational professional, Elder or Knowledge Keeper, depending on their expertise as it relates to their ability to determine the unmet needs of the child, and the supports required. They must be within the child's circle of care.
- For professionals providing a letter of support, this should be made within their scope of practice.
- If you are requesting additional funding to extend services for the child, updated letters of support are required to support the child's changing needs or to demonstrate a need for continued supports or services.
- Include any relevant assessments or diagnoses.
- Cost breakdown:
- Provide a clear breakdown of the costs associated with the request.
3. For communities
Management of group requests
- Funding should not be spent unless approved first through the Inuit Child First Initiative.
- Previous year's expenditures or deficits that have not previously been approved are not eligible for reimbursement under the Inuit Child First Initiative.
- General administrative fees, including the application of an automatic 10% administrative charge, is no longer funded under the Inuit Child First Initiative.
- Funding approved through group requests and transferred through contribution agreements under the Inuit Child First Initiative must adhere to standard financial management, accountability and reporting practices.
- At the end of a fiscal year, any unspent funds from group requests must be reported and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- New group requests for Inuit Child First Initiative funding beyond one fiscal year (i.e. multi-year requests) are no longer approved.
- Group requests should clearly demonstrate how the proposed activity or service will benefit each Inuk child within the request.
Information to include with group requests
- List of children: Include each child's name, date of birth, and confirmation of their eligibility for the Inuit Child First Initiative.
- Needs assessment: Explain the shared needs of the children in the group and how the request will address those needs.
- Supporting documentation:
- All requests must be accompanied by a letter of support that demonstrates how the requested product, service or support links directly to the children's unmet health, social or educational needs.
- Letters of support must be provided by a health professional, educational professional, Elder or Knowledge Keeper, depending on their expertise as it relates to their ability to determine the unmet needs of the children, and the supports they require.
- For professionals providing a letter of support, this should be made within their scope of practice.
- Top-up funding will not be provided
- Include any relevant assessments or diagnoses.
- Detailed budget: Provide a breakdown of all costs.
- Financial reports: If you have received previous funding, you must submit financial reports from the previous fiscal year and identify any carry forwards.
4. Other information
Why these changes are happening
- To help the long-term sustainability of the Inuit Child First Initiative, ISC must remain focused on its core mission: providing funding to Inuit children who face barriers to accessing products, services and supports.
- ISC is working to establish coordinated, integrated services that Inuit can access to better meet an Inuk child's distinct needs and provide substantially equal access to government services, while the Inuit Child First Initiative continues to address gaps, delays and denials in services.
- ISC is committed to the co-development and sustainability of the long-term, Inuit specific approach to the Inuit Child First Initiative.
How this aligns with the long-term, Inuit specific approach to the Inuit Child First Initiative
- ISC and Inuit partners are continuing to co-develop an Inuit-specific approach that will form the basis of operations for the long term and, when approved, will work together to transition to that model of delivery.
- While co-development continues, ISC Regions will work to ensure that the implementation of this updated direction reflects the unique context for the Inuit Child First Initiative.
Other programs or services
- There may be other funding programs or services available in your province or territory. Please check with your provincial, territorial or Inuit government to see what is available.
5. Questions and Answers
General Information
Q: How does ISC define a letter of recommendation by a 'health professional'?
A: To be recognized as a health professional, individuals must typically complete relevant education, training, and obtain and maintain a license or certification in good standing from the appropriate regulatory body in their province or territory of practice.
The health professional writing a letter of recommendation must be providing child-specific recommendations based on their professional scope of practice, and be within the child or children's circle of care. Letters of recommendation are expected to outline the services required for each child and the needs being met through the recommended service.
Q: What is considered Respite Care?
A: Respite care is intended to provide family or caregivers with temporary relief from the emotional and physical demands of caring for a child with significant medical needs or exceptional needs.
Group Requests
Q: When should an application to the Inuit Child First Initiative be sent as a group request?
A: Group requests should be used instead of individual requests when the needs of children seeking services are more effectively met as part of the collective needs of a defined group.
Who can a group request be submitted for?
- A group of children (more than one child) within one family, or from multiple families or guardians with specific needs
- A group of children with specific needs within the same community, or under the care of the same organization or educational institution.
What are common group requests?
- Requests to contract professionals to provide services for groups of children (such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language, cultural services, behavioural therapy)
- Requests for specialized individuals to assist a group of children in social contexts (such as youth mental health workers)
Q: What is required for completing a group request?
A: The following information is required for group requests.
- Child Identifier: Can be the Inuk child's name, initials or another identifier such as a student number
- Child's date of birth or age: The Inuit Child First Initiative is available for Inuit children under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence
- Confirmation of eligibility for Inuit children: The Inuk child must be recognized by an Inuit land claim organization. Proof of beneficiary enrollment with an Inuit land claim organization can be used to identify a child as eligible for the Inuit Child First Initiative.
- Program or service each child will be accessing: List each program or service that each child will be accessing, supported by the appropriate recommender.
- Recommender of program or service: Name and position of the professionals in the children's circle of care who are recommending the service, and who have a professional background in the program or service being requested for each child. For example, a dentist cannot recommend mental health supports for a child; however, they can recommend dental procedures for a child.
- Consent received from parent or legal guardian: Attestation that consent has been obtained and is on file, and can be provided to ISC if requested.
Q: How should each Inuk child be listed in a group request?
A: Example of how to list children in a group request:
| Child identifier | Child's date of birth or age | Confirmation of eligibility | Program or service child will be accessing | Recommender of program or service | Person who provided consent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Smith | June 1, 2015 | Child is a beneficiary #123456 | Occupational therapy, Speech Language therapy | Dr. Sarah Smith –Family physician (letter attached) | Father |
| Jane Doe | April 26, 2016 | Child is entitled to be a beneficiary | Speech language therapy, autism assessment | Dr. Peter Benton – Pediatrician | Mother |
| Timothy Allen | Oct 7, 2019 | Parent is a beneficiary #123456 | Equine therapy, physiotherapy | Kyle Brewer – physiotherapist | Mother |
| Samantha Summers | May 3, 2017 | Child is entitled to be a beneficiary | Equine therapy | Joseph Clearwater Community Elder | Father |
A group request is complete if:
- all the above information is provided
- there is a demonstrated need or gap, and
- the letter of support from the professional or the Inuit Treaty Organization's identified Elder (if related to mental health or culture) provides a link to how the requested product, service or support meets that need.
Q: What is the reason for the change in reporting requirements for group requests?
A: Financial reporting is usually undertaken to gather information on whether approved funding is spent according to the terms and conditions of funding agreements, and to confirm that the recipient's financial situation is sufficiently stable for the continued delivery of funded programs or services. On an exceptional basis during the COVID-19 pandemic, ISC did not require funding recipients to submit annual audited financial statements.