Manitoba promises 'proactive, preventative supports' as birth alerts set to end July 1

A controversial practice that has led tonewborns being seizedfrom theirmothers in hospitalis coming to a endin Manitoba.

Families Minister Heather Stefanson announced Tuesday that birth alerts will cease as of July 1.

"Birth alertswill be replaced with proactive, preventative supports to help keep families together in our communities," Stefanson said a news conference.

The alerts are warnings fromsocial services agencies tohospitals,intended to flag the history of an expectant mother considered "high risk." Birth alertscan lead toa baby's apprehension by Child and Family Services, while the mother is still recovering in hospital.

The Progressive Conservative government announced in January the alerts would endas of April, but later said thatwas being delayed by the COVID-19 crisis.

The province has been working with child welfare authorities and agencies to limit the use of birth alerts and insteadprovide "at-risk mothers with the resources and supports that they need," Stefanson said.

Four birth alerts were issued in May 2020, down from38 alerts during the same month last year, shesaid.

As of July, the province willrely on agencies to support mothers who need help.

To that end, Stefansonsaid the government is giving Mount Carmel Clinic nearly$400,000to support its Mothering Project, or Manito Ikwe Kagiikwe, which helpsat-risk families.

The funding will double the capacity of the program at thenon-profit health centre, allowing it tosupport 200 families annually.

Executive directorBobbette Shoffnerwas emotional as she told the news conference what the investment would mean.

"The amount of women that we're going to be able to work with is the part that's hitting me the hardest," she said as she fought backtears.

Substitutingapprehensions with non-judgmental programming iskey to helping families heal from intergenerational trauma and helping themcare for their children, Shoffner said.

"It has been proven time and time again the negative impact that comes from children being taken from their families and put into care," she said.

"The ending of birth alerts is a huge step forward in changing policies to better reflect the needs of our families."

WATCH | Manitoba to end controversial birth alerts:

Manitoba to end birth alerts by July 1

4 years ago

Duration 1:24

Families Minister Heather Stefanson says the controversial practice will be replaced, promising a more proactive approach to supporting mothers at risk.

She said programssuch as the clinic's Mothering Project offertraditional teachings and culturally appropriate resources to help vulnerable mothersstruggling with substance use, homelessness, domestic violence and other issues.

Of the new funding, $350,000 will be provided on an ongoing basis to continue the expanded Mothering Projectprogramming. A one-time influx of $40,000 will support the work of a CFS liaison who willrefer mothers to Mount Carmel.

Thefunding will help support more young families in Winnipeg's North End, Shoffner said. At times, the program has reached its capacity.

"This means we're going to be able to do that more and in a bigger way, and that means everything to us."

Concerns about apprehensions remain

But Cora Morgan,the First Nations family advocate for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said the end of birth alerts doesn't necessarily mean the end of newborns being seized.

"I still have concerns. Istill am worried that newborn apprehensions are still going to be real," Morgan toldMarjorie Dowhosduring an interview on CBC Radio'sUp To Speed Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, notevery mother is ready to parent her child when she delivers that baby, but it's important that that child stays within family."

Her office scrambled last Friday to prevent an apprehension"not even 30 seconds after I got off the phone" with Stefanson, she said.

"Not less than four days ago,potentially another childwas going to be taken," Morgan said.

"I hope that there's real changes and thatthere is a real change in the rate of newborn apprehension."

Southern Chiefs' OrganizationGrand Chief Jerry Danielssaid he welcomes the end of birth alerts, which he called a"destructive and harmful policy."

"When Indigenous women and families are supported in their healing and ability to parent, outcomes for the most vulnerable children in Manitoba are guaranteed to improve over time," he said in an email.