Kitselas’s Social Development Office holds a wealth of individuals
that perform various services that assist in the well-being of our community
members.
Kitselas Social Development
Officer (Social Worker)
The Kitselas social worker networks with other First Nation's social
workers, many resource people and agencies such as the Ministry of Child
and Family Services, the Northwest Child and Family Services, and arranges
various workshops within the Kitselas community.
- Provides social assistance and information with regard to on-reserve
financial assistance, as well as administering on-reserve programs
such as Adult-in-Home Care and Training Employment Skills Initiative.
- Provides information and advocates for both On- and Off- reserve
Kitselas members, in matters such as Health Benefits, Social Assistance,
and families with children-in-care of the Ministry of Children and
Families.
- Supervises the on-reserve Adult In-Home Care Program, a program
that provides in home care such as light housekeeping, shopping, and
support for elders, and sick or disabled persons.
- Supervises the on-reserve National Child Restoration Program which
provides support in meeting children’s needs, and contributing
to programs such as “Aboriginal Head Start”.
- Supervises the on-reserve Training Employment Skills Initiative
program that seeks to provide opportunities and skills for the future
employment of social assistance recipients.
Kitselas Education Program
The Kitselas Education Program arranges support and assistance for
all levels of education within the Kitselas community.
Financial, practical and emotional assistance to post-secondary students.
Kitselas Education Program provides students with opportunities to
attend various learning institutions such as Northwest Community College,
Malaspina College, University of Northern British Columbia, Simon Fraser
University, and the BC Institute of Technology.
Kitselas Headstart Education
Program
The Aboriginal Head Start Program is valuable as it creates a strong
sense of identity, while providing and promoting child development and
education, a desire for learning, and the opportunity for parental and
community involvement. The Aboriginal Head Start Program “prepares
young Aboriginal children [and their families] for their school years
by meeting their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological
needs."
The Headstart On-Reserve Co-ordinator immerses First Nation children
in their culture and language, as well as implementing a holistic approach
to the education and development of First Nations Children through the
provision of:
- Support in the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth
of each child, including the instillation for a sense of love of learning.
- Encouragement for parental involvement, as well as recognition and
support of the extended family's role.
These goals are reached through the implementation of the following
components:
- First Nations Cultures and Languages
- Edcuation
- Health Promotion
- Nutrition
- Social Support Programs
- Parental and Family Involvement
Kitselas Health Programs
The Community Health Nurse works closely with Kitselas’s Community
Health Representative, in providing the following health services to
their members.
- Community health nursing that involves methods, techniques and practices
such as adminstering vaccinations, first-aid, aseptic techniques,
and medication administration. This includes the collection, recording,
synthesis, and reporting of health related data.
- Support and advocate for patients - liaising with Health Canada
and the Ministry of Health.
- Community health care - emphasizing holistic, educational, and preventative
measures.
- Information and home support to Kitselas elders, families, and children.
- Coordinates various workshops for Kitselas members