Child's First Initiative Program

Child's First Initiative Program

The Child’s First Initiative (CFI) is a culturally grounded and community based program offering a range of assessment, treatment and support services through a multi-disciplinary team approach.


Services are a provided at home, school, in the community, or where best meets the needs of the child and family.


We are committed to ensuring the child and family are at the center of everything we do. We work with families to build health, education, social and cultural supports tailored to the child’s needs that can grow with them as they change and develop. We work with children and youth at all stages of their development, from the very young, right through to their transition into adulthood.


Services Provided:

Family Navigator / Case Managers

  • As the first point of access for CFI, these team members oversee all aspects of case management services including advocacy, service referrals, applications, and system navigation in the development of individual care plans.

Infant Child Family Navigator / Case Manager

  • Coordinate and oversee all aspects of case management services outlined above specifically for children 0-6 years old. Families are offered an initial developmental assessment for infants and children that further guides referrals to internal and external service providers based on the child's unique needs.

ABA / Behavioural Consultant

  • Works with the family to support behaviour at home, school and in the community. Positive reinforcement techniques are used to increase appropriate behaviours.

Children’s Mental Health Therapist

  • The Children’s Mental Health Therapist focuses enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of children, youth and families by weaving psychotherapy, play therapy, and art therapy alongside Indigenous informed approaches to health. The CMH Therapist will collaborate to develop mental health services that are unique to the needs of the communities and families served.

Communication Assistant (CA)

  • Working under the direction of the Speech Language Pathologist, the CA provides articulation and language intervention and supports to preschool and school aged children.

Community Development Workers (CDW)

  • The CDW provides community based supports and programs focusing on infant,  children, and youth.  They work with families and community partners to meet the needs of all children.

Cultural Support Worker

  • Delivery, coordination, and support for culturally based traditional Anishinaabe approaches to wellbeing for children and families.

Dietitian

  • Our Dietitian can provide support related to diet, food, and nutrition based on a child's unique needs, providing guidance, education, and recommendations.

Occupational Therapists (OT)

  • A child’s main job is playing and learning. Occupational Therapists can evaluate children’s skills for playing, school performance and daily activities. The O.T. then works with the child, families, caregivers and teachers to enhance their ability to participate in meaningful activities by teaching new skills, modifying environments and adapting the activity to meet their needs.

Physiotherapist (PT)

  • The PT works to help children achieve their maximum physical potential, improve their ability to participate in all aspects of their daily lives and improve quality of life using play based strengthening, stretching, and endurance activities.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)

  • The SLP will provide screening, assessment, treatment, education and support in the areas of speech, language, voice, fluency (stuttering), swallowing and feeding problems. Early identification, treatment, and prevention of these disorders is important, as the ability to communicate effectively with others is the very foundation of a child's social, emotional and educational development.


 Accessing services:

  • For more information, please call (807) 274-2042
  • To make a referral, please call: 807-274-2042 ext 5221
  • Refer by Fax: 807-274-2528
  • Or use our referral form below.


The CFI program accepts referrals from anyone and Case Managers are available to answer questions related to services.


Canada also operates a toll-free Jordan's Principle line that anyone can contact to make an individual application.

Phone 1-855-JP Child  (1-855-572-4453). This phone line is open 24 hours/day, 7 days per week.


Who is eligible?

  • The CFI program and services are available for children, 18 years and younger, of the 10 Southern Treaty Three First Nations Communities, living on or off reserve.


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