Jordan’s Principle bridges gaps in services for First Nation children
By Lynne Brown
SAULT STE. MARIE—The recent Anishinabek Nation Health Conference held in Sault Ste. Marie from Jan. 22-24, hosted several keynote speakers, workshops, cultural teachings and networking opportunities.
Jordan’s Principle was featured in both a comprehensive workshop and keynote address. Jordan’s Principle Navigator, Christian Hebert with the Anishinabek Nation, took workshop delegates through the process of application and documentation required with the April 1, 2019 fiscal deadline a few short weeks away.
A fund of $382.5 million, available from 2016 to April 1, 2019, was set up to pay for health, social and education products, services and supports that are needed right away. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) determined that the approach to services for First Nations children was discriminatory. One way the federal government addressed this was through a renewed approach to Jordan’s Principle, named in memory of Jordan River Anderson who was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba. Born with complex medical needs, Jordan spent more than two years unnecessarily in hospital while the Province of Manitoba and the federal government argued over who should pay for his at-home care. Jordan died in the hospital at the age of five-years-old, never having spent a day in his family home.
In May 2017, the CHRT ordered “substantive equality” under Jordan’s Principle for First Nations children. This means giving extra help when needed so First Nations children have an equal chance to thrive. Jordan’s Principle is a child first and needs-based principle, with the goal to make sure First Nations children from age’s newborn to 18 can access all public services without experiencing any service denials, delays or disruptions related to their status as First Nations citizens.
“The time it takes to get applications through to approval is lengthy. The number of applications has recently exploded,” shared Hebert during his workshop presentation. “There are thousands upon thousands of cases [for funding across Canada] and each case is just as important as the next one.”
Hebert talked about the importance of including as many supporting documents as possible for an individual application.
“Once an application is completed and sent for approval for funding, the Navigators’ role is pretty much finished. It’s out of our hands, unless something is flagged for follow-up,” explained Hebert.
Speaking to front-line caseworkers and administrative staff working in the vast arena of health care, Hebert stressed making the most of explaining the circumstances for a child and family.
“What is putting that child and family into a situation where ‘substantive equality’ is at risk?” he posed to delegates. “What need is not being met? And has this need been adequately described in the application? Each child is unique and each situation will be different – cover your bases. What is putting a child into a situation where quality of life could be enhanced through application to Jordan’s Principle?”
Jordan’s Principle addresses the needs of First Nations children by ensuring there are no gaps in government services to them. It can address, for example, but is not limited to, gaps in services such as mental health, special education, dental, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical equipment and physiotherapy. Jordan’s Principle applies to all First Nations children on- and off-reserve, applies to all public services, including services that are beyond the normative standard of care to ensure substantive equality and provides payment for needed services by the government or department that first receives the request.
Substantive equality recognizes that First Nations children may need additional supports to achieve the same outcomes as other children because they or their family have experienced disadvantages other children do not experience. Substantive equality seeks to acknowledge and overcome the barriers that have led to inequality in the first place.
Hebert spoke about a successful application for funding (through Jordan’s Principle) where a recommendation was made to support healing spirit through attending a cultural event. A child and family were funded to attend Pow Wow.
“Keep the originals and send in scans or copies. Follow a checklist. This is an opportunity to share as much as possible about a child’s unmet need – including through letters of support from Elders, professionals and community members who can speak to the issue,” advised Hebert about sending in documentation.
Hebert talked about a child with a physical disability as an example.
“A request for a wheelchair can lead into transportation – a van and driver. One thing can drive another,” he said.
Hebert also recommends letters of consent be considered, especially for sensitive information.
“My goal is to visit communities and spread the word – to educate folks on the possibilities Jordan’s Principle can offer.”
Hebert encouraged attendees to reach out to him through e-mail: christian.hebert@anishinabek.ca
Vanessa Follon, Jordan’s Principal Regional Lead/Assistant Director of Nursing, Indigenous Services Canada, offered an overview of Jordan’s Principle as a keynote speaker.
“Jordan’s Principle is not a program – the principle exists to fill in gaps in funding that have existed for decades,” explained Follon. “Substantive equality addresses barriers that have led to inequality in the first place.”
“Applications to Jordan’s Principle are viewed through that lens. The government of first contact pays for the service and resolves jurisdictional/payment disputes later,” she added.
Follon told delegates that iPads using text to voice recognition, respite care, noise cancelling headphones, transportation costs, therapies – for mental well-being, speech and language, occupational and physical, are among the most requested for funding.
“More than 177,000 requests were approved under Jordan’s Principle between July 2016 to November 30, 2018,” she said.
According to the Government of Canada’s The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P., former Minister of Indigenous Services and now Minister of Digital Government, “One urgent priority is keeping families together and providing services that benefit them and their communities. We held an emergency meeting in January (2018) with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis partners, provinces and territories, agencies and child welfare experts to push forward this important work. Budget 2018 provides additional funding over six years to address funding pressures faced by agencies and increase prevention resources for communities. We will also continue to accelerate our work on Jordan’s Principle, helping First Nations children get access to the products, services and supports they need when they need them, no matter where they live in Canada.”
Questions from delegates contributed to a robust discussion about how to offer receipts for some services.
“Our culture is intrinsically woven with gift-giving. When we recommend support for a child or family though our culture – from traditional healers – Elders – we are not framing that experience as a dollar value,” shared a delegate. “It is difficult to ask for a receipt for an honorarium.”
Follon recommends as many letters of support – of advocacy for a child and family – that could be included in an application.
“Culture is part of the significance of Jordan’s principle. Explain how the benefits of working with a traditional healer will impact a child’s mental health, for example,” she said. “Generally, any denials for funding have been about age. Jordan’s Principle encompasses children up to 18-years-old.”
Dental care was also raised by several delegates. Follon said that access to dental care creates another layer of required due diligence as professionals (dentists, hygienists) have a financial stake in recommending the service.
“We (ISC) just need to ensure that the professional making the recommendation for dental health care is not benefiting unduly from providing the service as well.”
Wendy Tyson, a Community Wellness Worker from Wahnapitae First Nation, said she found the whole conference to be an enriching experience.
“I liked all the sessions I attended. The information about Jordan’s Principle was very helpful and I will be taking this back to my community.”
Also participating in keynote address was Julien Castonguay, Director, Regional Plans and Partnerships, Ontario Region/First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada.
Information is available through the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society detailing the Orders from the (CHRT) Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, as well as a timeline and documents for Jordan’s Principle.
Government of Canada information is here.