About the Event Fifth Annual National Forum on Income Assistance
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting a National Forum on Income Assistance for First Nations case managers and administrators to come together, network, discuss priorities and core program elements, and share best practices for the reformed Income Assistance (IA) Program.
Who Should Attend?
- First Nations Income Assistance Case Managers and Administrators
- First Nations with Lived Experience
Forum Goals
- Provide First Nations with information about the on-going reform of the IA Program.
- Discuss priorities related to reforming IA program rates, performance indicators, data collection, wrap around supports, and case management and pre-employment supports for the reformed IA Program.
- Provide a safe environment for IA case managers and administrators to network, share information and best practices.
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Proposed Forum Agenda
The Forum topics will include:
- Background of the status of IA Program reform
- Updates from Indigenous Services Canada
- Panels and speakers on key topics related to IA reform, including:
- Building sustainable IA Programs
- Case management and pre-employment supports
- Defining First Nations wrap-around supports
- First Nations leadership in IA reform
- Discussion sessions to provide input on:
- Cost influencing factors and determining reformed IA rates
- Performance indicators and data collection
- First Nations concepts of disabilities
- Core elements of a First Nations social safety net
Registration
The AFN welcomes invited IA administrators, case managers and other IA professionals to register for the National Forum, taking place from September 10 to 12, 2024. Letters of invitation were sent to select IA Programs to register a representative from their Program. If you have questions about registration or wish to be added to the wait list, please contact Torri Weapenicappo at [email protected].
Presentations
Day 1:
- Casemanagment Panel – Harvey
- Breakout Session 1 – Defining Needs based Funding
- Plenary Presentation – Torri – Identifying Hidden Costs for IA Clients
- Casemanagement Panel – Calla Moore
- Plenary Presentation – Kerri
- Breakout Session 2 – Identifying Culturally Appropriate Wrap Around Supports
- AFN Overview – Torri
Day 2
- Breakout Session 5 – Identifying Priorities for Disability Funding
- Plenary Presentation – Carol
- Breakout Session 4 – Identifying Priorities for Training, Resources and Supports
- Plenary Presentation – Marie – Disability
- Plenary Presentation – Helaina – First Nations Indicators of Poverty and Wellbeing
- Breakout Session 3 – Identifying First Nations Indicators for Success
- Plenary Presentation – Tischa – Identifying Priorities for Training Resources and Supports
Day 3
- Panel Presentation – Mike – Building Sustainable Income Assistance Programs
- Panel Presentation – Ruth – Building Sustainable Income Assistance Programs
- Plenary Presentation – Jordan – Homelessness
- Plenary Presentation – Dan – Housing (Virtual)
- Panel Presentation – Victoria – Building Sustainable Income Assistance Programs
Resources
Documents & Reports
- Assembly of First Nations: First Nations Policy Recommendations for Indigenous Services Canada’s On-Reserve Income Assistance Program Reform – From Surviving to Thriving
AFN Resolutions
- AFN Resolution 85/2023, Support for the Technical Working Group on Social Development to Continue Income Assistance Reform
- AFN Resolution 58/2023, A Study on First Nations Guaranteed Liveable Income
- AFN Resolution 07/2022, Reform of the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
- AFN Resolution 15/2022, Major Investment Needed to Build Fully Accessible First Nations
- AFN Resolution 89/2019, Continuing First Nations Income Assistance Program Reform
- AFN Resolution 98/2019, Poverty Reduction for All First Nations in Canada
- AFN Resolution 28/2018, Support for the Establishment of a Technical Working Group on Social Development
- AFN Resolution 47/2018, First Nations Oversight of Canada’s National Poverty Reduction Strategy
- AFN Resolution 59/2017, Advancing the Human Rights of Indigenous Persons with Disabilities
- AFN Resolution 108/2017, Case Management Services for Income Assistance Recipients
Useful Links