Summary of Programs and Services
Aboriginal Head Start Program
This is an Early Intervention Program for young children, ages 3 to 5 years of age and it is sponsored by Health Canada. There are three - four employees - 2 funded out of the Health Canada funding and two funded from other projects. This particular project has been in existence since 1997 and is located at the Sarah Simon Church Hall in Fort McPherson.
Healthy Children Initiative
This funding comes from the GNWT and is awarded on a yearly basis. This year the funding is intended to fund two employees - one will be at the Aboriginal Head Start Program and the other will be providing a new innovative early child care program for young mothers who are still attending school. The mothers would be able to bring their children to this program for an hour or so, in order for them to attend classes either at the High School or at Aurora College. It would also provide a place for these young mothers to do their homework.
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
This again is GNWT funding and is awarded on a yearly basis. This is a successful program in the community and has been existence since approximately 1997. This program employs two part time child care workers. The emphasis is on proper nutrition prenatally and for children up to the age of 1 year.
Early Childhood Program
This funding is provided by the GNWT on a yearly basis and is provided to defray operational costs for the Head Start Program.
Community Justice
This again is a GNWT project, which is funded annually. The purpose of the Committee is to provide alternative sentences for those accused and convicted of crimes which are not serious. These sentences could be in the form of community service hours or restitution, etc. There is one employee in this program and she has a Committee which serves with her to carry out the program. The program also does some on the land activities.
Brighter Futures
Brighter Futures is funded through the GNWT on an annual basis. This funding provides for various youth programs to be delivered in the community. Some of the projects that have been funded in the past include suicide prevention activities, student advisors, youth workshops, summer day camps, elders and youth programs, on the land activities and National Addictions Awareness Week activities. A co-ordinator is employed through this funding.
Social Agenda Demonstration Project
The GNWT has provided funding over a period of three years to the Tl'oondih Healing Society/Tetlit Gwich'in Council to form an interagency committee which is responsible for the development of a wellness plan. This project also looks to innovative grass-roots projects that help youth become and remain healthy in all ways. This project has a part-time Project Coordinator as well as a part-time Youth Coordinator. Youth Workers can also be hired under this project.
Mental Health Counsellor
This position is funded by the GNWT through the Inuvik Regional Health & Social Services Authority. The contribution agreement provides funding on an annual basis for one mental health counsellor for the community.
Employment Officer
This position is funded by the GNWT and Gwich’in Tribal Council Education and Training. This position provides career counseling, assist clients in job searches and make job referrals; assist clients in completing forms for Employment Insurance, Social Insurance and other related forms such as resumes, elders application; assist with conducting interviews for positions.
