This policy directive is issued pursuant to Section 252 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) which sets out the authority of the Minister to issue directives to residential licensees with respect to any prescribed matter.

Training on the provision of residential care under the authority of a licence issued under Part IX of the CYFSA (Residential Licensing) is one such prescribed matter for which directives may be issued (para. 2 of s. 115 of O. Reg. 155/18 under the CYFSA).

Effective date

This policy directive is effective on July 1, 2023.

Introduction

Foster care licensees must ensure that the training requirements set out in this directive are satisfied by current and proposed foster parents.

The training requirements set out in this directive do not constitute an exhaustive list of training that should be completed by foster parent applicants or approved foster parents. Foster care licensees are required to determine support services and training to be provided by the licensee to the foster parent pursuant to O. Reg. 156/18 under the CYFSA, which may require training on topics not covered by the requirements set out in this directive to promote the best interests, protection and well-being of foster children. The licensee is required to ensure that all training completed by the foster parent and plans for the foster parent’s ongoing training are included in the foster parent learning plan in accordance with section 120.1 of O. Reg. 156/18 under the CYFSA.

Note: Children’s Aid Societies (Societies) should review this directive together with Ministry Policy Directive CW 003-20: “Approved Tools for Caregiver Assessment and Pre-service Training, and for Plan of Care Development”.

Training requirements for proposed foster parents

As part of the foster parent approval process set out in section 121 of O. Reg. 156/18 under the CYFSA, foster care licensees must ensure that the proposed foster parent or parents complete the following training prior to approval:

  1. The Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) pre-service training or Strong Parent Indigenous Relationships Information Training (SPIRIT). Refer to Ministry Policy Directive CW 003-20: “Approved Tools for Caregiver Assessment and Pre-service Training, and for Plan of Care Development” for details of these training programs.
  2. Standard First Aid, including infant and child CPR, and hold a valid certification of completion of such training issued by a training agency approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, in accordance with subsection 121(11) of O. Reg. 156/18 under the CYFSA.

A foster care licensee is prohibited from permitting a person to receive a child for the purposes of providing foster care under the authority of the licensee’s licence unless they have completed the training in paragraph 1 (PRIDE or SPIRIT) and paragraph 2 (Standard First Aid) (refer to clause 121 (1) (c) of O. Reg. 156/18 under the CYFSA).

The following training must be completed no later than six months after the date that the foster parent or parents are approved to provide foster care:

  1. Training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis cultural competency (minimum 4 hours in length):

    Required Content of Training:

    • Training must be interactive and provide the foster parent or parents with information and skills on how to recognize and support the cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to community and concept of the extended family of the First Nations, Inuit or Métis foster children that could be or are placed in their foster homes.
    • This training must include the following themes from a trauma-informed lens:
      • Anti-racism, anti-oppression, personal biases,
      • The history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada as well as impacts and intergenerational effects of colonial policies and practices, such as residential schools, and
      • Training on First Nations, Inuit and Métis world views.

    Development and Delivery of Training:

    • The training must be developed or co-developed, and delivered or co-delivered by:
      • a band or First Nations, Inuit or Métis community as defined under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, or
      • an entity listed in Appendix A of this directive.

    Exemption from Training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Cultural Competency:

    A foster parent is exempt from the requirement for training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis cultural competency if the person identifies themself as a First Nations, Inuk or Métis person.

  2. Training on providing trauma-informed care (minimum 4 hours in length)

    Required Content of Training:

    • Training must provide the foster parent or parents with knowledge and skills to enable them to provide trauma- informed care to foster children.
    • Training must include themes related to:
      • Trauma theory:
        • Shift the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” by addressing the following topics:
          • Understanding the impact of trauma and paths to recovery and well-being;
          • Recognizing signs and symptoms of trauma in children and youth; and
          • Learning how to actively resist re-traumatization.
      • Promoting and emphasizing the foster child’s well-being.

    Development of Training:

    • Training must be developed by or co-developed with an organization that provides mental health services and supports to children and youth.

Training Requirements for Approved Foster Parents

Foster care licensees must ensure that all foster parents approved under the authority of their licence to provide foster care as of July 1st, 2023 have completed the following training no earlier than July 1, 2018:

  1. Standard First Aid, including infant and child CPR, and hold a valid certification of completion of such training issued by a training agency approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The licensee shall ensure that all foster parents approved to provide foster care hold a valid certification throughout their tenure as foster parents for the licensee.
  2. Training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis cultural competency (minimum 4 hours in length):
    • Training must be interactive and provide foster parent or parents with information and skills on how to recognize and support the cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to community and concept of the extended family of the First Nations, Inuit or Métis foster children that could be or are placed in their foster homes
    • Training must include the following themes from a trauma-informed lens:
      • Anti-racism, anti-oppression, personal biases,
      • The history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada as well as impacts and intergenerational effects of colonial policies and practices, such as residential schools,
      • Training on First Nations, Inuit and Métis world views
    • Selected training must be developed or co-developed, and delivered or co-delivered by:
      • a band or First Nations, Inuit or Métis community as defined under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, or
      • an entity listed in Appendix A

    Exemption from Training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Cultural Competency:

    A foster parent or foster parent applicant is exempt from the requirement for training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis cultural competency if the person identifies themself as a First Nations, Inuk or Métis person.

  3. Training on providing trauma-informed care (minimum 4 hours in length)
    • Training must provide foster parents with knowledge and skills to enable them to provide trauma-informed care to foster children.
    • Training must include themes related to:
      • Trauma theory:
        • Shift the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” by addressing the following topics:
          • Understanding the impact of trauma and paths to recovery and well-being;
          • Recognizing signs and symptoms of trauma in children and youth; and
          • Learning how to actively resist re-traumatization.
      • Promoting and emphasizing the foster child’s well-being
    • Training must be developed by or co-developed with an organization that provides mental health services and supports to children and youth.

Issuance of policy directive Residential Licensing 001- 23: August 11, 2023

Original signed by:

Linda Chihab
Assistant Deputy Minister
Child Welfare and Protection Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Appendix A

List of entities that can develop or co-develop, and deliver, or co-deliver training on First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis cultural competency.

  • Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario
  • Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services
  • Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services
  • Six Nations of the Grand River (Ogwadeni:deo)
  • Nogdawindamin Family & Community Services
  • Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services
  • Kunuwanimano Child and Family Service
  • Akwesasne Child & Family Services
  • Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services (Kenora)
  • Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
  • Dilico Child and Family Services
  • Tikinagan Child and Family Services
  • Weechi-it-te-win Child and Family Services
  • Payukotayno: James and Hudson Bay Child and Family Services
  • Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendships Centres
  • Métis Nation of Ontario
  • Tungasuvvingat Inuit
  • Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families
  • Ontario Native Women’s Association
  • Aboriginal Health Access Centres
  • Ontario Indigenous Institutes
  • The Indigenous Reconciliation Group