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Have immediate concerns about a child? Call 416-969-8510

September 2020

CHI MIIGWETCH: COMMUNITY GIVEAWAY DAY!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 12PM TO 3PM

While we may not be able to drum and dance together this year, we can still feast!  Visit us at 30 College, SCFLC, the NYRC, or the Malvern Hub to pick up an NDN Taco Take Away kit, and awesome swag like orange masks (just in time for Orange Shirt Day), white buffalo sage, and cold & flu tea.

12pm FACEBOOK LIVE – our virtual Grand Entry!  Tune in to listen to Big Train open the day with an honor song, and a Community Message from Dr. Jeffrey Schiffer

For details about what’s happening at each site (or to volunteer!) please connect with:

30 College:  Kayla Vesterfelt [email protected]

NYRC:  Alexandra McMinniman [email protected]

SCFLC:  Andrea Hayward  [email protected]

Malvern:  Shannon Wooler  [email protected]

Thank you to all.  Please share widely with staff, community, families and friends.  These events are open to everyone.

Chi Miigwetch,
The Culture Team

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NCFST Mental Health Survey

NCFST has been operating as a family support agency in Toronto for over 30 years. With recent events in mind, we would like to know more about the community’s experience with the Toronto Police. This survey is only the first step in a multi-step planned community consultation process and will help us shape the rest of our strategy to obtain even more feedback from you.

First, please help us understand what is happening for you in the communities we serve. Please take our brief survey, it should take no more than 3 minutes:

Take Survey Here

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June 2020

NCFST Expresses Solidarity with the Black Community

There is a deep history of collaboration and support between Black and Indigenous communities and movements.  Some of this is due to a complex and interrelated shared history.  The Nations of Canada, the United States and Mexico were born out of processes of colonization and slavery that seeded systemic racism that remains deeply rooted today.  We have all been living in a pandemic of racism for centuries, and the cost has been millions of Black lives.  Events over recent weeks have resulted in massive protests in every American state, and in dozens of other countries across the world.  Black communities and their allies have had enough of state sponsored racism, structural violence and police brutality. Black Lives Matter.  While much of the focus has been on the United States, we must also recognize the historical depth and contemporary impacts of anti-Black racism in Canada.  Toronto, in particular, has a long and complex history that has seen members of the Black community disproportionately impacted by police violence.  There are no words to describe the sadness we feel as this trend continues today.

At Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) we acknowledge that this is an unimaginably challenging time for Black members of the community.  Many of our staff, partners, and the community members we serve are Black.  We are unequivocal in our assertion that Black Lives Matter.  We also recognize that statements of this sort are meaningless without corresponding action.  We are committed to providing an inclusive environment at NCFST, where there is zero tolerance to racism and discrimination.  We are also committed to engaging further with Black communities and organizations in the City of Toronto to better understand our role as an ally in opposition to structural violence, police brutality and anti-Black racism in our City.

NCFST stands in solidarity with Black members of our staff, partners and community.

#BlackLivesMatter

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May 2020

Lyme Disease Awareness and Safety

As the weather begins to warm up and more people begin to venture outside, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto wants to help ensure that our community stays safe from Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a growing public health issue in Canada. Spread by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, Lyme disease can cause serious health issues if left untreated. While the risk varies across the country, everyone should be aware of steps they can take to protect themselves, their children and their families from tick bites.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has created a collection of Lyme disease resources for communities, including information on how to check for ticks and how to protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease.

For more information about Lyme disease, visit the Government of Canada’s Lyme disease webpage.

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Thank You to Our Partners

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) has been collaborating with community partners to provide essential services to Aboriginal families across Toronto. Working together with staff from Gabriel Dumont Non-Profit Homes, NCFST assembled and delivered several hampers to date for community members.

We want to extend our sincere thanks to all the community partners who are helping us provide services during these difficult times. Their support has been essential as we adapt our services to meet the rising need in our community.

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April 2020

A message to COVID-19 essential service professionals in Toronto

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) is a multi-service urban Aboriginal agency providing child safety and well-being, holistic, and culture-based programs and services for over 7,000 Aboriginal children and families across the Greater Toronto Area. We remain committed wherever possible to keep families together.

Our Concern

We are concerned about an increased risk of child abuse and neglect with families being increasingly isolated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has created a challenging environment for families. With the closures of schools, daycares, and other services, children are increasingly vulnerable to family stress. Aboriginal families already have increased risk factors, when compared to non-Aboriginal households, as it relates to poverty, addictions, mental health, and family violence. Without the appropriate supports during this pandemic Aboriginal children are at greater risk.

The number of calls being reported by community concerning child safety & well-being has plummeted

Kids are simply not being seen during this pandemic unless families were already engaged in service. The majority of our calls historically come from schools, daycare centers, and other professionals. While we have seen a dramatic decrease in new cases being reported we have experienced an increase in demands from existing families. For many of these families, there is an increase in challenges to access food and basic necessities; there is also increased anxiety and stress. We know more than ever there is domestic violence and child abuse/neglect occurring in the community. In this time of crisis, we all need to look out for vulnerable children and families to work together to keep kids safe.

We are an Essential Service and Still Open to Serve 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week

We want the community to know we are open – we are first-responders. If anyone is worried about a child, please call. We are still here and you can remain anonymous. The duty to report obligation for professionals remains and is even more vital during times like this. The goal is to work with families early before problems become acute.

Contact Us

During a time of increased anxiety, vulnerable children, youth and families need support and care more than ever. Should you have concerns for the safety or well-being of a child, or if you are a caregiver who requires support to keep your child safe, please call us at (416) 969-8510. We are also updating our website regularly with more holistic and cultural-based service offerings.
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A Message to Aboriginal Families of Toronto

It feels like Mother Earth just sent us all to our rooms……the Ontario government has ordered all non-essential businesses to shut down and the City of Toronto declared a state of emergency and instituted an emergency order regulating physical distancing. We find ourselves in unique and challenging times. More than ever we require the wisdom of our teachings and the strength of community. We have all been humbled by the circumstances in which we find ourselves – we are now a community at a distance. During this period of social distancing, we must be vigilant to stay connected with one another and support those who are most vulnerable just as we have always done in community since time immemorial.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives and when it is done we will have collectively experienced loss and hardship. We can navigate this crisis together as a community by keeping the circle strong. Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) remains unwavering in our commitment to serving the community during this crisis and as such we have been classified as an essential service by the Province of Ontario.

We know that this is an extremely difficult time for community members. This crisis has created a challenging environment for many families. With the closures of schools, daycares, and other services, children are increasingly vulnerable to family stress. We want to reassure you that we remain open and can provide you with the support you and your family need. We offer a single point of access to an integrated network of programs and services designed to address the multiple and complex issues facing many Aboriginal families in Toronto. As a provider of essential services, NCFST is here to help.

If you and your family are struggling, please don’t wait to reach out for support. During a time of increased anxiety, children, youth and families need support and care more than ever. Additionally, should you have concerns for the safety or well-being of a child, or if you are a caregiver who requires support to keep your child safe, please call us at (416) 969-8510. We are also updating our website (www.nativechild.org) regularly with all our holistic and cultural-based service offerings. In this time of crisis we all need to look out for vulnerable children and families to work together to keep kids safe and community healthy. Please continue to self-isolate, check in on each other and have a good weekend.

Chi Miigwech
The NCFST staff, board and executive team
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Latest Message from NCFST on COVID-19: April 7

In addition to our Child and Family Well-being services, we continue to operate Holistic and support/prevention services: 

  • Holistic Healing Services is continuing to provide support to community members through video or telephone counselling. Intake services are available at 416-969-8510 ext. 3290.

  • Food support, crafts, medicine bundles and educational packages are available to community members, who can contact their workers to receive resources.

  • Scarborough Child and Family Life Centre is available to community members by appointment only. These workers are available between 9-5. If youth need support:

    • Youth Outreach Worker Jennifer Archer 416-845-8207.

    • Youth Justice Worker Felicia Langdon at 437-216-9873.

    • Emergency after-hours response number at 416-969-8510.

  • Virtual programming is being offered on social media for Aboriginal EarlyON and Aboriginal Head Start programs:

  • Native Youth Resource Center is available by appointment only.  If youth need assistance, please call our drop-in response phone number: 416-969-8510 ext. 4119. For further updates, please follow our youth program accounts:

  • Mdewgaan Healing Lodge is continuing to provide support and residential services to women and children.

  • Women and Men’s Transitional Housing programs are still open and serving the community. There is currently a waitlist.

  • For more information on Holistic Services, contact 416-969-8510 ext. 3290 or [email protected]

Contact us 24 hours 7 days a week

In this time of crisis, it is important to be vigilant about the safety of children and families in our communities. If any member of the public or a professional has a concern about the safety and/or well-being of a child or youth under 18, they should immediately contact us at 416-969-8510.

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Latest Message from NCFST on COVID-19: April 6

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging environment for families. With the closures of schools, daycares, and other services, children are increasingly vulnerable to family stress. As a provider of essential services, NCFST is here to support vulnerable families through these difficult times.

Our mandated Child and Family Wellbeing services continue to operate 24 hours 7 days a week: 

  • We continue to provide services to families through regular check-ins and provision of concrete assistance whenever needed.

  • We continue to support the foster and customary care community with increased financial assistance and additional resources for children and youth during COVID-19.

  • We continue to provide parenting support (Ninoshe) services for enrolled families.

  • The Ode’l Min Health Clinic is now operating virtually every Monday for community consults.

  • The Tikinagan Pre-Post Natal team continues to serve expecting and recent community mothers and families.

Contact us 24 hours a day 7 days a week

In this time of crisis, it is important to be vigilant about the safety of children and families in our communities. If any member of the public or a professional has a concern about the safety and/or well-being of a child or youth under 18, they should immediately contact us at (416) 969-8510.

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March 2020

Latest Message from NCFST on COVID-19: March 17

Good Evening,
Events are changing rapidly, and we are responding accordingly. Our management team has been working diligently with staff and key stakeholders to ensure our response remains robust and the health and safety of everyone who works and visits NCFST is maintained. We are sending this message to provide an update on our response to COVID-19 and its impact on you and our daily operations.

Latest updates: 

In response to the latest recommendations from multiple governments and health authorities to slow the spread of COVID-19 NCFST is making changes to our business practices. Our goal remains the same to limit public engagement, services and activities as much as possible between March 16th and April 5th. This 3-week period is intended to flatten the curve and reduce the transmission of the pandemic to ensure our medical and support services systems are not overwhelmed.

Service suspensions: 

In congruence with recommendations made by Toronto Public Health, we have made the decision to temporarily close the following services until further notice:
  • All EarlyOn Centres will be closed;
  • All Aboriginal Head Start Programs will be closed;
  • All Daycare and school-based programming will be closed (including before and after school supports, GED and other educational programming);
  • 185 Carlton will be closed.
  • Culture Nights at 30 College and Scarborough will be suspended until further notice.
  • All programming and groups and gatherings where hygiene and social distancing cannot be maintained.

Community members should contact their worker by phone should you require any assistance.

Continuing services

  • NYRC and SCFLC are offering services by appointment only. The sites are locked and a sign is posted with the extension numbers for folks to call and referrals will be offered. Staff will be on-site to provide emergency support such as food cards, tokens, etc.
  • 30 College is providing essential services only. Community members are encouraged to call their workers to request support. Signage has been posted to support this closure.
  • The Transition Houses are all open and full. We will continue to provide services to this vulnerable community.
  • Mdewgaan Lodge will continue to operate as we are serving vulnerable women and their children who need our support 24 hours a day. 
  • Tikanagan program continues to offer services remotely.
  • Child and Family Wellbeing will continue to service our families/children and youth.

If you are unsure whether an event will be happening, please contact your local NCFST site for information.

We apologize for any inconvenience these suspensions might cause. We are committed to keeping our community safe, and we will continue to provide updates on our website as the situation evolves.

Our staff commitment to ongoing service

Our staff is committed to servicing our community in the best way possible.  At this time, we are continuing to service our community as described above, with both essential and non-essential services. We ask that you continue to be patient with us as we find ourselves in an unprecedented time. We are working very hard with all of our staff to ensure we are present for our community.
We will continue to update our website as new information becomes available. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

For more information:

For further updates on COVID-19, we encourage you to visit the following sites:
For infection control information and resources, please visit the Public Services Health and Safety Association website.
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