Relationship with DCS

Understanding the role of the Board in relation to the Department of Community Services will assist the Board to be more effective in fulfilling its mandate.

As stated in the terms of reference, board chairs can expect to meet with the Minister or Deputy Minister twice annually. These meetings can be used to attain feedback, provide updates, promote new ideas, and voice concerns. This is a great opportunity for boards to raise the concerns of the community directly to the Minister and to provide key input into policy that affects children in each area.

The Regional Administrators and the District Managers are the primary Department contact for the Community Child Welfare Boards. It is important to foster this relationship through regular communications, meetings or updates. There are four Regional Administrators in the province and each is responsible for the district offices and agencies in his/her region. As noted in the terms of reference, Regional Administrators are expected to provide administrative support, budget approvals and guidance for all Community Child Welfare Boards within their region.

The District Manager also plays a key role in aiding the community boards through consultation, guidance and providing suggestions as to how the skills of the board could be best utilized to enhance community participation in the child welfare continuum of programs.

The Department of Community Services corporate office (head office) specifically through the Child Welfare Division of Family and Community Supports assists boards with board development, training, retreats, coordination of board activity at the provincial level and helps facilitate regular meetings between the board chairs and the Minister.