Foxvalley provides a variety of counseling services

Foxvalley Counseling Services is working with families in Regina with the goal of keeping families together. In the last year, the team of Elders and counsellors, working with the Ministry of Social Services, helped 230 families and kept 530 children out of foster care.

Executive Director Mark Fox says he grew up in foster care himself. He and his wife Pam saw the need for a community-based First Nation organization to help families, and opened Foxvalley Counseling Services three years ago.

Working with First Nations and Métis people in Regina, Foxvalley strives to connect children and their families with their culture. “It’s important for Aboriginal children to connect with First Nations communities. They help provide that identity,” says Fox.

This is accomplished by working with Elders from different nations, – Cree, Saulteaux and Métis for example. Foxvalley also invites First Nation leadership out to meet with the kids.

“Many of these kids have never seen a Chief before. It’s important to teach them that role of leadership and history.”

“It’s a great adjustment for children to be removed from their family and into foster homes. Children in these situations need to have their self-esteem affirmed. We provide services such as culture camps and art therapy to help the kids cope.”

In fact, the art therapy program for ages 8 to 14 was so popular, they extended it from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. It then blossomed into an art show with 20 children participating and was attended by officials from the Ministry of Social Services. Art was unveiled, revealing all sorts of creative imagination inspired by First Nation culture.

“They came up with all sorts of designs, from tipis and horses, to wolves and bears.”

“Many of these kids had never done any sort of art before and they just immediately took to the painting naturally. We see a lot of talent in this program.”

He says a few were so well done, they were re-printed for display.

Gloria Jean’s House

Foxvalley Counseling’s newest program focuses on keeping families together with immediate access to numerous supports.

“Gloria Jean’s House was launched in July. It’s a supportive living program for families with children at-risk for coming into care. The highest risk cases are those families with domestic violence issues, drug use and neglect. There are currently four families enrolled. They can stay in the program up to one year and their cases are reviewed every four months by our team that includes social workers, counsellors and Elders.”

Fox says parents receive support through individual counselling, as well as help with positive parenting practices, budgeting, access to traditional cultural practices and family recreational activities.

Foster Home Recruitment

Ross Pratt is the foster home recruiter for Foxvalley Counseling Services. He says they are partnered with the Saskatchewan Foster Family Association (SFFA) and the Ministry of Social Services.

Potential foster parents must go through a screening process that includes a criminal record check, child protection screening, and a home assessment. Foster parents then receive 40 hours of training with the P.R.I.D.E program (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education).

“Children need that nurturing, that guidance,” said Pratt.  “They are our future generations. Those who are interested in becoming foster parents must really want children, to provide for them emotionally as well as a being able to provide a safe home.”

Pratt says that foster parents could be dealing with all sorts of challenges. “Many of these children come from homes where there have been domestic violence, and may have been sexually and physically abused as well. There are also children with disabilities, including birth defects such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.”

“It’s a commitment that takes serious patience, time and dedication.”

Pratt says support and resources are provided to assist foster families. Along with Foxvalley Counseling, SFFA is there to help.

Foster home stays can vary from a few days to over 18 months. In any case, Pratt says the biggest challenge foster parents sometimes have is getting attached to the children. “Just seeing how you’ve helped a child and provided a safe place for them is a reward in itself.”

For more information on any of Foxvalley’s programs or services – including foster home recruitment – visit their website at www.foxxvalley.net