Saskatchewan. Dept. of Social Services. Family and Community Services Branch
- GA 129
- Secondary Agency
- 1978-1979
Established in 1978, the Family and Community Services Branch of the Department of Social Services was responsible for the delivery of a variety of programs under authority of the following acts: The Family Services Act, 1973; The Unified Family Court Act; The Children of Unmarried Parents Act, 1973; and the federal Juvenile Delinquents Act. Programs and services of the division were delivered through a decentralized network of regional offices throughout the province. The Branch was also responsible for the administration of grants and licensing to residential centres, group homes and day cares through its Community Services and Day Care Divisions.
Child protection services addressed reports of child abuse or neglect in homes and were administered through the Child Protection Registry. Foster care was provided in situations of temporary or permanent removal of children from their families. Adoption services provided counselling and facilitated planning for the placement of children relinquished for adoption. Adoptions were administered through ward and non-ward agreements, and through the REACH program (Resources for the Adoption of Children) which found placements in homes for children with special needs. Services to unmarried mothers included financial assistance, health care, maternity home care, counselling and training. Cases of juvenile offenders were administered in accordance with the federal Juvenile Delinquents Act. Institutional care for troubled youth was provided at four child care facilities (Saskatchewan Boys' School/Centre, Roy Wilson Centre, Dales House and Kilburn Hall) and at various private institutions throughout the province.
As a result of departmental re-organization in 1979, the Family and Community Services Branch became the responsibility of the department's Community and Personal Services Division.