CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PROTOCOL ("PROTOCOL")

Between:

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
(representing the Southern First Nations
as represented by the Grand Chief),

("AMC"),

- and -

The Manitoba Metis Federation, Inc.,
(as represented by the President),

("MMF"),

- and -

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Inc.
(as represented by the Grand Chief),

("MKO").

- and -

The Province of Manitoba

(as represented by the Minister of Family Services and Housing and the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs),

("Manitoba").

PURPOSE:

1.1	The purpose of this Protocol is to provide the framework mid structure  for the implementation process leading to the establishment of separate and distinct province wide child and family services mandates for both First Nations and Metis people respectively, as agreed to with the Province of Manitoba in separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), mid Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. Inc. (MKO).
1.2	The parties acknowledge that a "common process" among, the AMC. the MMF, and MKO mandated child and family services agencies and the Province of Manitoba is an essential strategy to ensure the necessary collaboration, cooperation and coordination required to achieve efficient and effective restructuring of the current provincial child and family services system.

JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

2.1	The parties shall forthwith upon signing this Protocol establish a Joint Management Committee which will be responsible for:
	(a) overseeing development of an Implementation Plan:
	(b) creating and directing a sub-committee of the Joint Management Committee ("hereinafter referred to as the -Implementation Committee");
	(c) establishing working groups as may be appropriate;
	(d) setting terms of reference, timelines and monitoring of the implementation process;
	(e) ensuring that there is consultation with key stakeholders during the development of the Implementation Plan; and
	f) executing the Implementation Plan as directed by the parties.
2.2	The Joint Management Committee will be comprised of the representatives as set forth in Schedule A.
2.3	The Joint Management Committee shall be chaired initially by the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Child and Family Services Division, Department of Family Services and Housing.
2.4	The Joint Management Committee shall hold its fast meeting within thirty ('00) days of the signing of this Protocol and will thereafter meet on a regular basis as agreed by its members.
2.5	The Joint Management Committee shall keep minutes of its meeting and provide the parties with copies of the minutes within seven (7) days of each meeting.
2.6	The Joint Management Committee shall have access to such relevant documentation as may be in the possession and control of the parties to enable it to fulfill the objectives of this Protocol.
2.7	The Joint Management Committee will provide monthly interim reports to the parties as to the status of the Implementation Plan and will submit a final detailed Implementation Plan no later than June 30, 2000 or as may otherwise be agreed to by the parties. Thereafter the Joint Management Committee will provide interim reports to the parties as and when requested as to the status of the implementation of the Plan.
2.8	The Joint Management Committee shall oversee the Implementation Committee and the Working Groups and shall monitor its/their activities.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

3.1	The Joint Management Committee is hereby authorized by the parties to develop an Implementation Plan to achieve the objectives as here in before set forth, which said Plan shall include at a minimum the following components:
	(a) a detailed proposal to restructure the Child and Family Services Delivery System within Manitoba;
	(b) an analysis of the funding requirements to support a new Child and Family Services Delivery System as contemplated in subparagraph (a);
	(c) proposed amendments to The Child and Family Services Act and The Adoption Act to accommodate the restructuring of the new Child and Family Services Delivery System as contemplated in subparagraph (a);
	(d) the Implementation Plan shall include a comprehensive human resource initiative including a) a labour force adjustment strategy for workers affected by the restructuring; and b) an education component, as well as a competency-based training strategy in order to meet the increased demands upon First Nations and Metis staff working within the new Child and Family Services Delivery System contemplated in subparagraph (a);
	(e) the Implementation Plan shall take into consideration the fact that mandated First Nations agencies are currently in place in Manitoba and the implementation of the Plan with respect to First Nations shall proceed accordingly;
	(f) such other matters as are incidental to the implementation of the new Child and Family Services Delivery System as contemplated in subparagraph (a).

FINANCING OF THE JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

TERM

This Protocol shall be effective from the date of execution and will remain in effect for a three (3) year period (the term).

MISCELLANEOUS

Memoranda of Understanding Page