102 Geographical Area Served ...................................................................... 2
103 Mission & Goals ....................................................................................... 2
104 History ....................................................................................................... 4
105 Eligibility for Service .............................................................................. 11
106 The Board of Directors governs the affairs of the agency ................. 11
100
101
Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Toll Free (in Manitoba):
Office Hours:
Emergency Services:
204-726-6030
204-726-6775
1-800-483-8980
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Chief Executive Officer: Dave McGregor
Director of Programs:
Comptroller:
Supervisors:
800 McTavish Avenue
BRANDON MB R7A 7L4
After hours and on weekends and holidays
Laurie Jackson
Mark Gillis
Art Asham
Jason Dueck
Darlene Kirkup
Karen Collister
Wendy Freeman
Diane Martin
Marilyn Sterling Blanco Arlene Stewart
Marie Wotton
November 2003
Revised June 2012
1

Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba services over 110,000 people in 12,000 square miles of southwestern Manitoba. This includes the unorganized areas immediately south of Riding Mountain
National Park, the municipalities listed below and the incorporated cities, towns and villages therein:
Albert
Archie
Argyle
Arthur
Birtle
Blanchard
Brenda
Cameron
Clanwilliam
Cornwallis
Daly
Edward
Ellice
Elton
Glenwood
Hamiota
Harrison
Langford
Louise
Miniota
Minto
Norton
North Cypress
Odanah
Oakland
Pipestone
Riverside
Roblin
Rosedale
Rossburn
Russell
Saskatchewan
Shoal Lake
Sifton
Silver Creek
South Cypress
Strathclair
Strathcona
Turtle Mountain
Wallace
Whitehead
Whitewater
Winchester
Woodworth
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba is an autonomous, nonprofit agency providing child and family services to Southwestern
Manitoba. The Agency, governed by an elected volunteer Board of
Directors, was established by charter, and is financed by both public and private monies.
Its people are committed to the ideals set forth in the United Nations
Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
THE MISSION OF THE AGENCY IS: CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES
OF WESTERN MANITOBA EXISTS SO THAT CHILDREN ARE
SAFE AND NURTURED IN STRONG, LOVING FAMILIES WITHIN A
COMMUNITY OF CARING PEOPLE.
To fulfill this mission, the Agency’s primary goals are:
 Families are strengthened and supported
November 2003
Revised June 2012
2

 Children are protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation.


Children in our care are parented appropriately.
The Agency works in partnership with the community.
 Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba is a recognized leader.
 Staff are supported to meet the Mission of the Agency.
November 2003
Revised June 2012
3

The Children’s Aid Society of Brandon began operation in 1898 and was incorporated on November 10, 1899 as a private agency under a
Board of Directors to protect children from neglect. It was not until
1924 that the Child Welfare Act was passed by the Provincial
Legislature. In 1929 service was extended to the district surrounding
Brandon a nd the name subsequently changed to the Children’s Aid
Society of Western Manitoba. In 1986 to reflect the changing emphasis of service and the 1986 Child and Family Services Act, the operating name was changed to Child and Family Services of Western
Manitoba.
Over the years, the work of the agency has changed and expanded.
Until 1938, the work of the Society had been solely with neglected children -- the counselling of their parents, and when necessary, their placement in foster homes. The following highlights some of the significant changes that have occurred:
1899 Incorporation of Children’s Aid Society of Brandon to protect children from neglect.
1924 Manitoba’s first Child Welfare Act.
1929
1938
First paid employee. Volunteer service prior to that.
At the request of the Provincial government, the Society took on the work of services to unmarried mothers and their children.
1942 Temporary foster home or non-ward care for children was introduced which made it possible for families in time of crisis such as illness, death, or desertion to enter into an agreement with the agency for short term care of their children.
1946 Agency took over adoption service to provide new families for children who had lost their own.
1948 Helen Riesberry became Executive Director of Children’s Aid
Society of Western Manitoba.
1950 A summer camp program was initiated to provide a holiday for children from families known to the agency.
November 2003
Reviewed June 2012

1952
1962
1963
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
Homemaker service was established.
Child and family services were extended to the seven Indian
Reserves in our area. This began as a pilot project for
Manitoba Child Welfare and subsequently was extended to all reserves in areas served by Children’s Aid Societies.
The agency’s first group home, Kinsmen House, was opened for adolescent boys. Over the years, the number of group homes and the functions of each have adjusted to reflect the changing service needs. At one point the agency had 6 group homes operating. In 2001 we have two group homes operating.
Preschool Enrichment program started with one child. It has now grown to serve as many as 40 children per day.
“Helping Hands” logo was adopted.
Day foster care program was initiated.
Volunteer services were dramatically increased by including university students to act as Special Friends for individual children and as leaders in group programs.
Our first parental self help group was formed.
Resources of the Adoption Resources Exchange of North
America became available to us in planning adoption placements outside of Manitoba.
New Maples was built as a 24 bed receiving home and took over the responsibility for this program from the City of
Brandon.
Victoria Day Care Centre was opened for children from two to five years of age, primarily to serve single parent and low income families.
Agency moved to Provincial Building, 340 - 9 th Street,
Brandon.
The Agency enlarged its Territorial bundaries with the addition of the Municipalities of Rosedale, Langford, North
Cypress, South Cypress, Strathcona, Argyle, Roblin and
Louise.
November 2003
Reviewed June 2012

1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
Agency committed itself to further expanding the Preventive
Services of the agency through the development of Family
Life Education.
Formation of the Foster Parent Association in Westman.
Foster Day Care Program was transferred to the newly established Provincial Day Care Program. The agency administered the program for the region.
Bruce Fraser became Executive Director of the Agency.
Agency’s statement of Purpose & Goals was formalized. It was updated in 1985, 1991, 1998 & 2001.
“School Stay” program was started in cooperation with the
Brandon School Division.
Emergency foster home program began replacing the functions of the Maples for emergency placements.
A total service audit of our agency was conducted by the
Director of Child Welfare. Although relatively favourable overall, there were a great many areas for improvements recommended.
Maples was closed as a receiving home and the building was converted to accommodate the Preschool Enrichment and Victoria Day Care Programs.
Reorganization of the Board and organizational structures occurred leading to a new plateau of enthusiastic, relevant involvement of both board members and staff.
Family Day Care Service was transferred to the Province.
Home Management Training Program was developed.
Child Welfare Services except adoption on Birdtail Sioux,
Oak Lake and Sioux Valley Reserves was transferred to the
Dakota Ojibway Child & Family Services. Adoption services were transferred about a year later.
Child Abuse Committee of the Western Judicial District was developed upon initiation of the Agency.
November 2003
Reviewed June 2012

1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
Family Aide Program was initiated after a review of the
Home Management Training Program.
Province imposed a moratorium on adoption placements out of the province. This arose from the Kimmelman Review.
Family Re-unification Project was established. Agency purchased a house and placed a family of children together.
Homemakers provided parenting and worked towards mother’s resumption of that role.
Shared Social Worker program with Souris Valley School
Division was started.
Family Resource Centre at 354 - 11 th Street was opened.
Mother-
Child Home Program was initiated. A “Toy
Demonstration” program in which volunteers show mothers how to interact with their young children in a meaningful way using boks and toys. In 1998 renamed Parent-Child Home
Program to reflect involvement of both parents.
West Region Child & Family Services assumed responsibility for child welfare service to Waywayseecappo, Gambler,
Rolling River and Keeseekowenin Reserves.
Shared Social Worker program was begun with Antler River
Schol Division.
Creation of ½ time volunteer coordinator position.
Board policies were clarified and became part of a new comprehensive Board Member’s Manual.
Shared Social Workers program was expanded to include
Pelly Trail School Division.
The agency became the first Child and Family Service agency in Manitoba to begin use of the provincial computerized information system computerized.
The agency completed the development of a Workload
Measurement Tool which promised much towards more effective management.
November 2003
Reviewed June 2012

1988
1989
1991
1992
1993
November 2003
Reviewed June 2012
Property was purchased at 9 th and Lorne Avenue in Brandon for the development of our expanded Family Resource
Centre.
A Board Service Review Committee was established as a means of enabling clients to grieve their dissatisfactions with agency services. Clients were encouraged to discuss their concerns with staff first but appeal to the Board Committee was facilitated.
Shared Social Worker Program was expanded to include
Fort La Bosse School Division.
Frederick House (647 Frederick Street) was closed as a group home due to successful efforts in developing alternatives to group care.
Cooperative Living Program for young moms was begun. It operated for several months at 647 Frederick Street. The building was subsequently sold after the program closed.
Initiation of the Family Support Worker Program (October
1989)
Shared Social Worker Program was expanded to include
Turtle Mountain School Division.
Kinsmen House was closed as a group home but continued to be used as a four placement resource.
Patrick House was changed to a Level IV treatment group home.
Family Resource Centre was dedicated as the Elspeth Reid
Family Resource Centre on December 2, 1991.
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba Foundation
Inc. was incorporated and subsequently received its charitable number.
Ken Knight became Executive Director of Child & Family
Services of Western Manitoba.
Risk Evaluation System was introduced by the Province.
Patrick House physically moved to 725 - 7 th Street.

1994
1995
1996
1997
1020 - 8 th Street was purchased to operate as a four placement specialized foster home.
International Year of the Family.
Commissioned External review by Child and Family Services
Research Group, Faculty of Social Work, University of
Manitoba of in-home support programs.
Child and Family Services Information System develops further so that each worker receives a computer station.
November 10, 1995 Grand Opening of the new Elspeth Reid
Family Resource Centre, 255 - 9 th Street.
Withdrawal from Shared Services Worker program by Turtle
Mountain School Division.
Shared Services Worker Program initiated in Birdtail River
School Division.
Provincial review of Child and Family Services Act.
Preschool Enrichment Program celebrated its 30 th
Anniversary.
Evelyn Isaac, the Preschool Director, wins the Child Welfare
League of Canada 1996 Direct Service Award.
The Board decide at their October workshop to make significant changes to their governance process.
Withdrawal from Shared Services Worker Program by Fort
La Bosse and Pelly Traill School Divisions.
Victoria Day Care celebrates 25 th Anniversary of service to the community.
Closure of 4 bed placement home at 248 - 13 th Street.
The Board downsizes to 15 members.
November 2003
Reviewed June 2012

1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2004
2005
2006
2007
Agency moved to new office premises at 800 McTavish
Avenue in February.
Initiation of Early Start Program at Preschool and Victoria
Day Care funded by Child and Youth Secretariat.
Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba Foundation
Inc. signs an agreement to become the community fundraising arm of the agency.
The mission statement was changed to read: To protect and promote the well-being of children and to strengthen families.
Agency celebrated its Centennial with a multi-community birthday party and publication of a history book.
A specialized staffed placement resource for two adoescent males was opened in a rental suite.
Province of Manitoba announced the starting of a process to enable aboriginal citizens to be served by aboriginal agencies throughout the Province. The process was to be completed by 2003.
Cypress House’s program was changed to being a six placement resource for adolescent male sexual offenders.
Margaret MacDonald became Chief Executive Officer of
Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba
In December, cases and resources were transferred to the new Aboriginal authorities and agencies as part of the
Aboriginal Justice Inquiry - Child Welfare Initiative. CFS of
Western Manitoba was designated as the Intake Agency on behalf of the four authorities in Westman.
Dave McGregor became Chief Executive Officer of Child and
Family Services of Western Manitoba.
Roots of Empathy program started in partnership with the
Brandon School Division and Healthy Child Manitoba.
Preschool Enrichment Program was awarded the IODE
National Centennial Award as a significant program promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
November 2003
Revised June 2012

As part of the External review process conducted in the
Child Welfare System in late 2006; the government announces the Changes for Children Initiative which outlines an extensive revival and re-structuring of the child welfare system.
2009 The Agency celebrated its 110th Anniversary; Parent Child
Home Program celebrated their 25th Anniversary as did the
Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre.
2010
2012
The mission statement was changed to read: Child & Family
Services of Western Manitoba exists so that chlidren are safe and nurtured in strong, loving families within a community of carine people.
The Victoria Day Care Centre celebrated with 40 th Birthday.
The Agency provides Designated Intake Services for all four authorities in the Westman area. Referrals can be effected by personal interview, letter or telephone call to the office.
As part of the Intake process, families complete the Authority
Determination Protocol (ADP) in which they select the Authority from where they wish to receive services. Families have the right to choose. It is anticipated, that most families will choose to receive service from the Authority representing their cultural background. The
Four Authorities are First Nations North; First Nations South; Metis and
General.
The Board of Directors governs the affairs of the agency. Staff and their immediate families are not eligible for membership on the Board of Directors. The Board and Management are no less committed to working with staff and being mindful of their responsibilities to staff as well as the children and families served by the agency.
November 2003
Revised June 2012