Organizational Structure

The Department of Families is responsible for a wide range of programs and services that are delivered by the department, or by community-based partner organizations. The department is organized into the following divisions:   

• Administration and Finance
• Child and Youth Services
• Community Services and Supports
• Digital, Organization and Strategy
• Indigenous Jurisdiction Transition Office
• Policy, Programs and Legislation

Administration and Finance

The Administration and Finance division provides centralized financial services, comptrollership, project management and information systems support. The division provides support to the department and to external funded agencies.  

Administration and Finance Policies

Child and Youth Services

The Child and Youth Services Division administers and oversees statutory provisions under The Child and Family Services Act, The Child and Family Services Authorities Act and The Adoption Act.

The division provides funding and support to the four Child and Family Services Authorities and to community-based agencies providing a comprehensive continuum of early intervention, prevention, and child protection and reunification services throughout Manitoba. These funded organizations contribute to the healthy social development of children, families, and communities. The division administers centralized services of adoption, group care, provincial records management, and the child and adult abuse registries. It also provides program and policy management, and data analytics.

The division collaborates with the Indigenous Jurisdiction Transition Office to support Indigenous governing bodies that are seeking to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services for their members.

Community Services and Supports

The Community Services and Supports Division delivers many of the department’s direct service programs through a province-wide network of community-based offices. In Winnipeg, some services are provided in a partnership with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The division is responsible for the delivery of a number of services, including:

• Income support programs such as Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) and Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities (MSPD). EIA provides allowances for basic and essential living, shelter and health needs, as well as employment supports for people who are able to work. MSPD is a new income support program that is tailored to the needs of persons living with severe and prolonged disabilities.
• The division helps adults living with an intellectual disability to live and participate in the community through the Community Living disABILITY Services program, which includes funding and supports for residential services, day services, and transportation.
• The division helps children with disabilities, their families and caregivers through the Children’s disABILITY Services program, and provides funding for the Children’s Therapy Initiative, early intervention autism services, and external agencies that deliver specialized services.

The division also provides a comprehensive continuum of child protection, early intervention and family support services in accordance with The Child and Family Services Act and The Adoption Act from locations across rural Manitoba through Winnipeg and Rural and Northern Child and Family Services.

Digital, Organization and Strategy

The Digital, Organization and Strategy Division (DOS) is a centralized division providing a wide range of integrated and professional services for the department. DOS supports complex interdepartmental initiatives that also can involve collaboration and partnerships with external stakeholders such as agencies, authorities, businesses, communities and other governments.

The division is made up of the following core branches:

• Corporate Support Branch
• Culture and Engagement Office
• Digital Sustainability Office
• Project Management Office
• Social Innovation Office
• Strategic Advisory Office

Integrated and professional services include but are not limited to: business analysis, business continuity, business development and relationships, coordination of French Language Services, data and AI governance and stewardship, digital adoption, web services and media support, intradepartmental communications, organizational culture and change, policy and program support, program evaluation, project management, research, social innovation, strategic advisory, sustainment of digital solutions, training, and workplace health and safety. The division is agile and adaptive to the ever-changing needs of the department and environmental conditions.

The division also oversees and is administratively responsible for three arms-length offices that manage citizens’ experiences with department programs and services: The Social Services Appeal Board Office, the Fair Practices Office, and the Office of the Commissioner for Adults Living with an Intellectual Disability.

Indigenous Jurisdiction Transition Office

The Indigenous Jurisdiction Transition Office within the Department of Families was established in recognition of the importance of Indigenous governments exercising their inherent right to jurisdiction over child and family services. The Office provides dedicated provincial resources for the implementation of Indigenous jurisdiction under the federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. 

The Office is responsible for participating in trilateral coordination discussions with Indigenous governments and Canada. The Office implements provincial responsibilities of finalized agreements, and works with other provincial departments and partners to assist in the transition to Indigenous child family services law and jurisdiction.

Policy, Programs and Legislation 

The Policy, Programs and Legislation Division provides centralized internal services to the department in the areas of legislation and intergovernmental relations, and leads government-wide strategies in the areas of Poverty Reduction and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

It provides financial management and policy and program support for the Community Living disABILITY Services; Children’s disABILITY Services; Employment, Income and Rental Assistance; and Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities programs.

The division is responsible for the operation of the Manitoba Accessibility Office and the Accessibility for Manitobans Compliance Secretariat. It is also accountable for the operation of the Adult Abuse Registry Committee.