Strategic Initiatives

Child Welfare Reform
The Final Report of the Review of Manitoba’s Child Welfare Legislation was published in September 2018. The report makes recommendations to government on ways legislation could improve outcomes for children and youth.

End of Birth Alert Practice
Since July 1, 2020, birth alerts are no longer issued in Manitoba. Birth alerts were used as a mechanism to notify hospitals and other child and family services (CFS) agencies of the need for further assessment before a newborn is discharged to the care of a parent who has been assessed as ‘high risk’. The new model is based on preventative and community-based supports for families.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy
Together we are Stronger: Continuing the success of Manitoba’s FASD Strategy expands on the 2007 Interdepartmental Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) strategy. The strategy commits to the goals of knowledge, prevention, intervention, evidence and quality.

Integrated Adult Services Pilot Project
This project is a 30-month project piloting a new service delivery model for adults with both a medical diagnosis and complex disability-related needs. It was designed to address gaps and barriers in services for adults with complex disability-related needs.

Intellectual Disability Issues Advisory (IDIA) Council
The IDIA Council serves as an advisory council to the Minister of Families on matters relating to programs and services for adults living with an intellectual disability in Manitoba as well as overseeing the implementation of the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force recommendations.

Pathways to a Better Future: Manitoba's Poverty Reduction Strategy
Pathways to a Better Future: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy is the current strategy for Manitoba, updated in 2019. The strategy is guided by the following vision: “All Manitobans have resources, opportunities and access to achieve a better quality of life.”

Single-Envelope Funding: A new child and family services (CFS) funding model for Manitoba
The single-envelope child and family services funding model provides each CFS authority with child maintenance funding up front in a ‘single envelope’, rather than making payments based on a child or youth in care.

Social Innovation Office: Impactful and sustainable solutions
The Social Innovation Office (SIO) is seeking innovative solutions for complex social and environmental issues. Initiatives of SIO include the Reduction in Youth Justice Involvement, Restoring the Sacred Bond and Quit Smoking with your Manitoba Pharmacist projects.

Tracia’s Trust: Manitoba’s Sexual Exploitation Strategy
Tracia’s Trust: Manitoba’s Sexual Exploitation Strategy includes initiatives in the areas of prevention, intervention, legislation, coordination, research and evaluation to address sexual exploitation, including human trafficking, pornography, sex trafficking, sex tourism and internet luring.

Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force
The Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Task Force, created in September 2020, was mandated to review policies and practices around services for adults with intellectual disabilities, and provide a report and recommendations to the Minister of Families. In 2021, the report was released, titled “Pathways to Dignity: Rights, Safeguards, Planning and Decision Making”, along with an implementation plan.

Youth Leadership Council
The Youth Leadership Council exists to ensure children and youth’s voices are heard and reflected in government decisions.