Bosco Homes is committed to deliver culturally appropriate services to First Nations, Inuit and Metis clients and positive relationships with the communities we serve. In October of 2006, Bosco Homes was re-accredited by the Canadian Accreditation Council Of Human Services (CAC) and is scheduled for re-accreditation by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) in October of 2007 (which includes First Nations, Metis and Inuit Addictions addiction treatment standards). Bosco Homes' objective is to integrate Aboriginal services (Multi-cultural services) throughout the agency. Bosco Homes aspires to create awareness and understanding of Aboriginal culture in all areas of operation, from front line child and youth care staff, to clinical and educational staff and its administration. All staff takes part in the responsibilities for the delivery of these services, as well as working together with First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities that we serve. Together we have developed the services that First Nations, Inuit and Metis community see as relevant and appropriate. Our Aboriginal Services program area’s role is to guide, assist and increase knowledge and awareness for staff in working with First Nations, Inuit and Metis clients, their families and their communities. Bosco Homes has received support from a Wisdom Committee (made up of aboriginal volunteers and Wisdom from several Edmonton area reserves) and an urban aboriginal not-for-profit organization, the Alberta Aboriginal Working Together Society (AAWTS) which includes individuals representative of various first nations communities who refer at-risk children to our programs. These representatives are elders and resource people living in the greater Edmonton area. Bosco Homes, the Wisdom Committee and AAWTS develop and implement programs and services to best serve the needs of aboriginal children in care. Recommendations on the types of services that are appropriate for aboriginal children assist Bosco Homes in the delivery of our programs and services. When unfamiliar issues arise, we seek the help of our Elders Committee and aboriginal resource people. We are committed to operate in a holistic approach using the medicine wheel that looks at the mental, physical, emotional and the spiritual aspects of human development. At the present time, we have Elders on the Wisdom Committee: four Elders from Samson Cree Nation, one Elder from Paul Band First Nation, Sunchild First Nations and an Elder that represents the Gwich’in First Nations (NWT) and a Metis Elder. Terms of Reference have been developed and the Committee meets four times a year (four seasons). The Director liaisons with community agencies, government departments and First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities, to enhance working relationships, promote the development of programs and policies to the benefit of aboriginal children in care. The Aboriginal Department represent Bosco Homes on a variety of special committees (e.g. Alberta Aboriginal FASD Committee, Aboriginal Service Providers Committee, Region 6 FASD Committee). Consultations are ongoing with clients, staff, social workers and communities about Aboriginal culture, current issues, values, beliefs, protocols and other related topics. Throughout all Bosco Homes’ program areas, the Director of Aboriginal Services provides leadership and with the assistance of resource people engenders Aboriginal perspectives in day-to-day operations. School Program: Aboriginal curriculum is integrated into our program offering. Cultural and spiritual aspects are explored via curriculum and Aboriginal guests and resource people. Group Care Programs: Children in our care are offered the opportunity to connect with Aboriginal communities in the greater Edmonton area. We promote attendance at Round Dances and Pow Wows. Elders and other native resource people round out our group care program delivery. Bosco Homes has an annual Pow Wow on the first Friday in June of the year. We have two sacred sites established by Elders offering sweats and pipe ceremonies on a regular basis. As well, drumming, dancing and on going education on culture permeate our school and group care programs. Bosco Homes delivers Aboriginal Cultural Awareness to all staff, as well as to outside agencies. The two day (16 hours) and the one day (8 hours) recertification workshops meet the March 2000 standards set out by the Alberta Association of Services for Children Families. For more information, please contact: Kathy McKinnon Testimonials from recent Aboriginal workshops...