Latest news with #FamilyServices
CBC
9 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Contractors filling key positions, including director, in Nunavut's Family Services
Nunavut's Family Services department is using "a number" of contractors to fill key positions in the department, a practice former workers say is problematic. The department says the number of filled positions has gone down from 67 percent to 61 percent since the start of 2023, even with new hires considered. Because of that, the department is using contractors to plug those gaps, though it didn't state how many in written responses to CBC. The vacant positions range from frontline workers to roles in leadership, such as the statutory director, though the department says it anticipates it will start recruiting for a new director in the coming weeks. "The department does utilize contract staff—including in key frontline roles—as a necessary measure to maintain uninterrupted service delivery while recruitment for indeterminate positions is ongoing. This approach ensures that children, youth and families continue to receive the support they need without delay," the department said. Jane Bates, Nunavut's representative for children and youth, says she's not impressed. "If someone's working remotely, you can't do frontline child protection. Frontline child protection is very hands-on, and it relies upon relationship building and having face to face contact with families with children," she said. In June, Nunavut's information and privacy commissioner released a report stating the department had systemic issues around the privacy of children in care. Under the Child and Family Services Act, there are few people who are allowed to disclose and communicate information about children in care. Bates is worried that isn't being properly adhered to with jobs being contracted out. Toxic culture CBC has spoken to two former Family Services employees, who we are not naming as it may harm their current employment with the government. One former worker is concerned that Inuit are being left out of opportunities in the department, with the push to fill jobs with contractors. "It's not in line with the Nunavut agreement. It's not in line with the GN values … we're not even giving Inuit the chance to govern their own change in their own communities, to provide their own essential feedback on what the services that we have in Family Services should look like," they said. Another former worker is worried that the use of temporary workers causes distrust with communities. "Pushing out local, experienced staff in favour of outsiders who often don't have ties to Nunavut hurts trust, cultural competence and service continuity," they said. "These agencies often aren't bound by the same ethics as government employees." Ultimately, that worker blames a toxic work culture for all the resignations. "The department has a reputation for burnout, a toxic workplace culture and a disconnect at senior management levels," they said.
CBC
15 hours ago
- CBC
Nunavut's Family Services turns to contractors to fill resignations
Family Services is using contractors to fill key positions in the department, including the director. Former workers say that's a problem.
CTV News
10-06-2025
- CTV News
New Westminster man pleads guilty to 7 charges in intimate partner violence investigation
The courthouse in New Westminster is shown. (CTV News) A New Westminster man has pleaded guilty to seven charges after a 'complex and emotionally challenging' investigation into intimate partner violence, local police say. Edward Soviak entered the guilty pleas on June 4, the New Westminster Police Department said in a news release Tuesday. Online court records show he was charged with 16 offences that were alleged to have occurred between Sept. 6 and Oct. 30 in New Westminster. The seven to which he pleaded guilty were: Two counts of assault One count of unlawful confinement One count of breaching a release order One count of breaching a no-contact order One count of obstruction of justice And one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm The charges stemmed from an investigation that began 'after police responded to several reports involving a pattern of escalating violence,' the NWPD said in its release. The seven guilty pleas related to 'three separate incidents,' according to police. 'This was a complex and emotionally challenging investigation,' said Sgt. Andrew Leaver, in the release. 'I want to commend the incredible work of our Specialized Investigation Unit and thank our partners at Family Services of Greater Vancouver and our Victim Assistance Unit. Their efforts played a vital role in supporting the victim and helping ensure these offenses were brought before the court.' Court records indicate Soviak was born in 1989, which would make him 35 or 36 years old. He remains in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 6 in New Westminster.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund accepting applications from 20 East TN counties
The East Tennessee Foundation's CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund is accepting applications for the 2025 grant cycle. Through an employee-led Investment Advisory Committee, Consolidated Nuclear Security Y-12 employees help direct funding to where it is most needed across Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. In 2025, the fund will prioritize grants supporting three areas: Acute Mental Health Support: Programs providing immediate, short-term response to individuals in crisis. Pre and Postnatal Family Services: Programs offering access to healthcare, education, and support services before and after childbirth. Early Learning and Academic Support: Programs that help develop reading, writing, and numeracy skills in children and youth. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities, units of government, houses of worship, or public educational institutions proposing programs and projects that benefit the lives of residents in the 20-county footprint listed above. Applications must be submitted using the ETF's online grant system no later than 6 p.m. EST on June 11. Grants will range up to $15,000 and will be awarded in September for one-year terms, beginning Sept. 15 and concluding Sept. 14, 2026, according to a news release. To learn more and access the online application, visit For more information, contact the ETF Grantmaking Team, by phone at 865-524-1223 ext.144, toll-free at 1-877-524-1223 ext. 144, or by email at grantmaking@ The East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and nationally accredited community foundation focused on serving a 25-county region in East Tennessee. As a community foundation, the ETF operates as a collection of hundreds of distinct charitable funds and supporting organizations established by individuals, families, businesses and other nonprofits. The ETF builds endowments, creating a permanent source of philanthropic funding for East Tennessee. For more information, visit This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Community Investment Fund accepting applications from 20 counties
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
$150,000 KeyBank Gift Supports Teen Mental Health and Wellness Throughout Hudson Valley
A $150,000 gift from KeyBank Foundation will support teen mental health and wellness initiatives over the next three years as part of Family Services' Youth Programming. Funds will be used to develop innovative, enhanced after-school programming aimed at fostering healthy connections and preventing behavioral health challenges. 'Everyone needs a little help from time to time, especially the youth in our communities,' said John Manginelli, Hudson Valley/Metro NY President, KeyBank. 'To support this program with Family Services, which provides teens with the resources they need in a way they will be receptive to receiving them, is a great way to promote KeyBank's commitment to help people live well and thrive.' 'KeyBank Foundation is committed to supporting organizations and programs that prepare individuals for thriving futures. Family Services' enhanced youth programming does just this. It is a transformative approach to teen behavioral health that helps kids realize their promise and aligns perfectly with our philanthropic priorities of neighbors, education and workforce,' said Eric Fiala, CEO, KeyBank Foundation. According to a 2023 article by the US Center for Disease Control, in the 10 years leading up to the pandemic, feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness in young people—as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors—increased approximately 40% percent. In the Hudson Valley, the percentage of children with serious emotional disability grew from 15% to 38%. Additionally, the City of Poughkeepsie continues to face gun violence; in 2024,16 people were shot, 6 of whom were teenagers. When youth face exposure to trauma such as community violence and other adverse childhood experiences, it can lead to significant behavioral health needs, poor social outcomes, health disparities and educational deficiencies if left unaddressed. 'At Family Services our north star is ensuring everyone has the right to thrive. For the youth we serve, that includes meeting increasing behavioral health needs,' said Leah Feldman, CEO, Family Services. 'We're grateful for KeyBank's continued support and commitment to help us deliver on our reimagined model for improving mental health outcomes for teens so they can reach their fullest potential.' Family Services is planning to welcome their first participants in the summer of 2025. Recruitment for the new program will occur in several ways, including outreach to youth and parents involved in Family Services' Teen Resource Activity Center programming, referrals from Poughkeepsie City School District, referrals from Family Services partner agencies within the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet and community outreach. For more information, visit the Family Services website at or call 845-452-1110 x3192. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from KeyBank
