Social Development
The role of Social Development includes the following programs:
- Social Assistance intake and issuing of benefits
- Child Welfare
- Guardian Financial Assistance (Children in Care)
- Brighter Futures
- Homemaking Services
- Meals on Wheels
- Gitanmaax Lunch Program
The Social Development Coordinator is also responsible for conducting home visits, advocating for families with external agencies, assisting Elders, and various social issues.
TESI – Training Employment and Support Initiative
The Training and Employment Support Initiative (TESI) is intended to assist
income assistance recipients in developing the skills they need in order to enter
vocational training, educational programs, or employment.
In order to receive benefits under TESI, an individual must be in receipt of basic
income assistance in accordance with the Social Development Policy and
Procedures Manual.
Priority is to be given to employable singles and childless couples, particularly
those under the age of 25.
Assistance may be provided via readiness, pre-employment, pre-education, or employment support.
Work Opportunity Program (WOP)
The Work Opportunity Program (WOP) is intended to enhance the independence
and employability of persons in receipt of social assistance by utilizing their social
assistance funds, together with funds from other sources, to create time-limited
on-reserve employment experience for social assistance recipients who would
otherwise be unemployed.
Eligible income assistance recipients can participate in employment initiatives
such as community services, the development of community facilities, or the
improvement of the community environment.
Eligible income assistance recipients may participate in a WOP transfer project
for up to 12 months.
National Child Benefit (NCB) Reinvestment
The National Child Benefit (NCB) Reinvestment initiative was implemented in July 1998 and is a joint federal/provincial/territorial initiative that supports children and families. First Nation communities have developed NCB programs based on the following three objectives of the NCB:
• to help prevent and reduce the depth of child poverty
• to promote attachment to the workforce; and
• to reduce program overlap and duplication
Types of Initiatives that do not qualify for reinvestment:
• Those not targeted to low-income families with children
• Housing/renovations
• Capital expenditures such as repair/purchase of buildings
• Infrastructure
• Clothing
• Paying down any debt
Adult in Home Care
This program is intended to provide homemaking service to those who reside on the Gitanmaax Reserve. A referral process from the Gitxsan Health Society is submitted to the Social Development Worker who then reviews the information. The referral identifies hours per week, start and end date, as well as specific housekeeping duties for each client.
Meals on Wheels
This program was created to meet the need of those mature clients who reside in Gitanmaax who may be at risk of not eating meals due to living alone, health, or dietary concerns. A referral is completed by Gitxsan Health Society which is then received by Social Development. The referral identifies the dietary needs of the client, what the concerns are as well as a start date and end date – if required.
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the client to:
Disclose any and all information that is required under the policy and procedures established in this manual.
Complete all required eligibility forms in a proper manner.
Take maximum personal responsibility possible for achieving increased independence.
Seek work at all times and be available for all work to which they are qualified.
Participate in employability/training and education programs that may be available.
Use all available resources and income to support themselves as the preferred alternative to social assistance.
To inform the Social Development Department of changes in their circumstances that may affect eligibility.
Please note that benefits may be terminated:
If the client or dependent is healthy, employable and able bodied and does not seek employment or accept available employment, education or training.
If the client or dependent does not apply for all available resources to which they are eligible (i.e. maintenance, EI, child support, filing taxes, etc.)
If the client or dependent quit work or an education/training program, without just cause or is fired from their job.
If the client or dependent does not report all earned and unearned income received in the month
If client does not submit a Monthly Renewal Declaration form (stub).
