Children placed by the DPJ There is still lack of host families in Quebec

(Montreal) There is still lack of host families in Quebec for children placed by the DPJ, decides the president of a group of more than 2,600 of them.Geneviève Rioux believes that to attract news and keep those that already play this important role, the government must bring down many other obstacles.

La Commission Laurent s’est penchée sur la situation des familles d’accueil et son rapport contient une série de bonnes solutions, reconnaît d’emblée M^me Rioux, la présidente de la Fédération des familles d’accueil et ressources intermédiaires du Québec (​FFARIQ).

But there are still not enough host families, she said without hesitation.To the point where one has the impression that the system cannot wonder "what would be the best place for this child", but rather: "what is the least worst place".

In addition, the cases are increasingly heavier, she explains.There are children with big trauma, which discourages families who embark on this great adventure.

"They abandon and leave the boat.»»

M^me Rioux donne en exemple cette nouvelle famille d’accueil qui n’a gardé un enfant que 24 heures.

For these families, she wants more support, especially during the first year.

A request to which the Government of Quebec recently provided an answer: the Minister Delegate for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, announced in early June a sum of 10 million per year to improve clinical support services for families ofwelcome. Il a lui-même reconnu en conférence de presse qu’« on recherche un plus grand nombre de familles d’accueil dans plusieurs régions du Québec»», invitant les personnes intéressées à communiquer avec le CISSS ou le CIUSSS de leur région.

M^me Rioux a accueilli favorablement cet investissement, qui doit, selon les informations qu’elle a reçues, permettre l’embauche de 100 intervenants. Elle espère toutefois « qu’ils seront là pour nous soutenir, pas pour nous surveiller»».

On the other hand, this does not solve all the problems encountered by families, she judges.

Obstacles

There are many other obstacles and irritants for families, which discourage more than one. M^me Rioux voudrait voir plusieurs modifications, dont certaines d’ordre législatif, mais d’autres qui relèvent plus d’un « changement de culture»».

Thus, she wants a better partnership and better collaboration between host families and CISSS and CIUSSS.

It is not normal, she says, that a family is not informed that a child she takes under her wing has been sexually assaulted in the past.Nor is it desirable that meetings with biological parents or the speaker are changed at the last minute, as this time she was to take all her children-including the seven for whom she is a foster family-At the campsite for the weekend, but an appointment for one of one was moved on a Saturday, leaving it in front of this dilemma: either to deprive all the children of this outing, or to leave one behind.

It also criticizes the requirement posed to the family to offer a minimum size room of 110 square feet, which represents about 10 feet per 11 feet.Sometimes renovations of several thousand dollars are required before being able to accredit a family, she also reports.

« Ce n’est pas nécessaire»», dit-elle, déplorant qu’une « bonne famille»» puisse être écartée parce qu’elle a une chambre d’enfant « un peu trop petite»».

M^me Rioux voudrait aussi que les exigences de comptabilité soient moins lourdes : elle n’en peut plus de devoir obtenir une autorisation préalable pour chaque achat de plus 100 $ pour un enfant et de devoir demander à l’Aubainerie sept factures distinctes pour l’achat de sept paires de mitaines pour sept enfants différents.

"We would have to be accountants," she deplores.They are so afraid that we steal children.»»

Too much time spent with administrative workers and paperwork prevents families from being optimal for children, she argues.

For the motivation of families, and their retention, it also advocates three -year accreditation contracts, to ensure them a certain stability, to them, as well as to children. Récemment, un CISSS a tenté de mettre en place un contrat d’un an « sans aucune raison»», dit-elle.

It also raises this: the process of accreditation of a new family can take a year."I say: that year she is lost.Why not take the opportunity to give them training?And offer them sustained support after at least six months.»»

On perd beaucoup de familles : « la première année, elles tombent»».She reports that in the past six months, at least 40 families have contacted the federation to tell her that they want to give up. « C’est énorme»», dit-elle avec de la déception dans la voix.

M^me Rioux fonde toutefois beaucoup d’espoir dans les recommandations du rapport de la Commission Laurent. Si elles sont mises en œuvre, « on va réellement être ailleurs»», conclut-elle.