Child & Family Services

A Framework for “Standing Up for Our Children” – February 2009

The Framework for “Standing Up for Our Children” is the BC Friendship Centre Response to the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s (MCFD) “Strong Safe and Supported” document.  It is also a response to the change in legislative direction of MCFD signaled by the Minister in Spring 2008.  

In the 2008 BCAAFC annual general meeting, the Provincial Board of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres declared a state of emergency for Aboriginal children.  This led to the development and submission of the proposal, titled Standing Up for Our Children:  The BCAAFC Strategy for Safe, Strong, and Supported Off-Reserve Aboriginal Children, Youth, and Families 2008-2011 in June 2008.  This proposal introduced the initiative to develop three program streams that focus on the key reasons Aboriginal children are apprehended by the ministry:  sexual abuse/exploitation, family violence, and neglect.  In August 2008 BCAAFC received a contract approving the proposal in principle and providing funding until March 2009 to support the development of a framework and to prepare for the implementation of 3 program streams.  

The governance structure for this project included three program stream working groups (one for each: child sexual abuse/ exploitation, neglect, and family violence); the executive committee of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres; and the project management team.  The three working groups have been crucial to determining the direction for implementing the “Standing Up for Our Children” initiative.   The final framework can be accessed by clicking here.

For an electronic copy of this document please click HERE (.pdf) 1.62mb

Updates: Coming Soon!


For more information please contact Carla Bortoletto, Director of Child and Family Services.
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
#200 - 506 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
V8W 1E6
Phone: 250 388-5522
Fax: 250 388-5502