Research
Income Assistance Reform
Saskatchewan First Nations Income Assistance Program Reform
SFNFCI is supporting research and capacity building to provide options for Nations to consider as part of reform for the on-reserve Saskatchewan First Nations Income Assistance Program which was created in 1964. The IA program was designed to help eligible on-reserve residents cover their daily living costs and access pre- employment supports. Over the years, SFNFCI has worked together with an advisory committee of community professionals and subject matter experts to explore new ideas and program development to enhance the program for each community to meet the unique needs of First Nations community members.
Funded by Indigenous Services Canada, SFNFCI hosts engagement sessions with staff working on-reserve in income assistance, pre-employment support and social development.
Goals of Income Assistance Reform
Income Assistance must be:
- Needs Based
- Strength Based
- Culturally Appropriate and Representative of Community
- Trauma Informed
- Collaborative
In March 2023, a volunteer Advisory Committee of First Nations Agency Income Assistance Workers was created to conduct a First Nations-led Competency Development and IA Training Project that will enhance the professional capabilities of Income Assistance workers to ensure the goals of IA reform can be achieved. This work includes creating comprehensive competency inventories and a Learning & Development Framework for IA workers. The project will span four years, with each year focusing on specific objectives to achieve the desired outcomes.
The Committee guided by Elders also includes 20 income assistance workers from 13 Agencies and SFNFCI Staff working in the areas of Human Resources, Research and Curriculum Development, and Learning Operations.
A short summary of some work completed or underway includes:
- Committee Review of Project Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
- Creation of Committee Structures (Human Resources and Policy, Research and Curriculum Subcommittees) and Roles and Responsibilities
- Human Resources and Policy Subcommittees have been created.
- Discussion/Validation of Competency Dictionary
Income Assistance Reform Papers
- Saskatchewan Income Assistance 2022 Special Meeting Report “Helping our Community Members”
- Results of the Virtual Workshop for the Validation of the Final National Income Assistance for First Nations On-Reserve Engagement Project (February 2021)
- On Reserve Income Assistance Program Reform Program 2018-2019
- Income Assistance Reform Program Web Blogs (2018-2019)
- Income Assistance Reform Project Frequently Asked Questions (2018)
