Northern Authority Hosts Three-Day Training for Seven Agencies in Winnipeg

March 13, 2025

The First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority (Northern Authority) successfully hosted a three-day training event for seven affiliated agencies in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The event brought together 80 participants, including frontline workers, case managers, and child welfare professionals, to enhance their skills and knowledge in delivering quality services to children and families across Northern Manitoba.

Ron Monias, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Authority, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of ongoing education and collaboration to improve child welfare services. He highlighted the organization's commitment to strengthening case management, critical incident reporting, and structured decision-making to ensure the safety and well-being of children in care.

The training was led by expert trainers from the Northern Authority and was structured to provide comprehensive learning for all participants. The 80 trainees were divided into six groups, with each group rotating through six different training sessions in six classrooms over the course of three days. This format ensured that all participants received in-depth instruction on each key topic, including:

• Critical Incident Reporting (CIR): Understanding CIR processes, agency accountability, and the connection to Internal Agency Reviews (IARs).
• Case Management: Best practices in risk assessment, case planning, and cultural safety when working with First Nation families.
• Child and Family Services Information System (CFSIS): Compliance training on data entry, reporting, and document management within the CFSIS system.
• Structured Decision Making (SDM): Learning to apply the SDM assessment tool for informed case decisions.
• Intake & Child Protection Standards: Overview of intake procedures, referral types, and compliance requirements under the Child and Family Services Act.
• Special Rates and Child Assessment Formats: Understanding the protocols for requesting specialized services for children in care.

Participants praised the interactive and hands-on approach of the training, noting that the small group format allowed for better engagement, practical learning, and deeper discussions. Many attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to gain valuable insights from expert trainers while collaborating with colleagues across agencies.

By offering well-structured and practical training, the Northern Authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuous professional development, knowledge sharing, and service improvement across its agencies. The event concluded with a renewed focus on strengthening child welfare services and ensuring that all professionals are well-equipped to support First Nation children and families in Northern Manitoba.

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