Revised October 1 , 2021

1 Revised October 19, 2021 Enhancement Policy Manual Classification: Public Introduction to the Enhancement Policy Manual Overview The Enhancement Policy Manual (Manual) contains policies, practice supports and procedures that direct casework staff when delivering services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA). The policies, practice supports and procedures have been written in a second person active voice and directly address casework staff unless another role is specifically identified. The Manual is comprised of three distinct parts: Enhancement Policy Manual Intervention, Enhancement Policy Manual Placement Resources, and Enhancement Policy Manual Adoption The Manual is designed for online use.

2 The Table of Contents and the Search function can be used to locate information on specific topics Links will make it easier to move between policies and practice supports, different parts of the Manual and other references Intervention policies are linked to related practice supports Intervention practice supports are listed by titles alphabetically and linked to policy references Appendices are listed at the end of the Intervention section Placement Resources policies and procedures are located within the same document Adoption policies and procedures are located within the same document Cross-references between the policies, practice supports and procedures in the three parts are indicated at the end of each policy or practice support, as is described below To report a broken link, click here will appear regularly Provincial Policies The Manual is implemented province-wide and outlines policy, practice support and procedural requirements that all casework staff in Children s Services (CS) Regions and Delegated First Nation Agencies (DFNAs) are expected to comply with.

3 Introduction to the Enhancement Policy Manual Page 2 of 9 Enhancement Policy Manual Classification: Public If an exceptional situation arises that is not addressed in the Manual, discuss the circumstance with a casework supervisor or manager to determine a plan of action that is consistent with CYFEA and the practice supports or procedures outlined in this Manual. Consultation with Ministry staff and/or the Statutory Director will be available as required. Directives Provincial directives issued by the Statutory Director provide interim practice direction to casework staff in CS and DFNAs until such time as a provincial policy is approved for inclusion in the Manual. Legislative Timelines Legislative timelines outlined in policy come directly from either CYFEA or the associated regulations and must be followed and met according to the timelines.

4 Policy Manual Chapters, Sections and Subsections The chapters, sections and subsections of the Manual have been reorganized for better flow and easier access to grouped information. Each policy has a header that identifies the Chapter, Section and Subsection, as appropriate. For the Intervention section, the practice supports header identifies relevant policies. Appendices Appendices are individual chapters in the Intervention section of the Manual. They provide valuable information that is essential in delivering intervention services to children, youth, young adults and families. Terminology Below is a list of commonly used terms, acronyms, and legislative references found throughout the Manual.

5 Terms Term References administrative support administrative support person adult a person 18 years of age and over Enhancement Policy Manual Classification: Public caseworker caseworkers, assessors, intake workers; anyone who performs the task addressed in the policy casework supervisor supervisor of a unit or program child a person under the age of 18 years contract contract, fee-for-service agreement, block funding contract consultant consultant, specialist, or manager responsible for negotiating and managing contracts designate a person who is delegated by the Children s Services Regional Director or DFNA Director to perform specific tasks director a general reference to staff ( caseworkers, casework supervisors, managers, etc.)

6 Who are delegated under CYFEA to deliver mandated services on behalf of the Statutory Director First Nations designate a person designated by the council of the band in planning for services for a First Nation child or youth (per ) or in decisions related to the adoption of a First Nation child or youth (per (1)) foster caregiver foster home, foster care placement, foster family foster care worker performs tasks related to the recruitment, approval process and support of a foster home, foster care placement, foster caregiver guardian per (1)(l), a person who is or is appointed a guardian of the child under Part 2 of the Family Law Act or a person who is a guardian of the child under an agreement or order made pursuant to CYFEA.

7 As a guardian is not necessarily a biological parent of a child or youth in care refers to a child or youth who is in the care and custody of the director under an apprehension order, custody order, an emergency apprehension, a custody agreement, Introduction to the Enhancement Policy Manual Page 4 of 9 Enhancement Policy Manual Classification: Public a temporary guardianship order or a permanent guardianship agreement or order intervention services any services, including enhancement and protective services, provided to a child, youth or family under CYFEA, excluding Part 2 (adoption) or Part 3 (licensing of residential facilities) kinship caregiver kinship home, kinship care placement kinship care worker performs tasks related to the recruitment, approval process and support of a kinship home, kinship care placement, kinship care caregiver licensing officer performs the tasks associated with licensing per the Delegation Schedule manager manager in the organization.

8 Commonly the worksite or program manager, but may also refer to senior or executive managers placement concerns response assessor the assessor a Placement Concerns Response assessment is assigned to who may or may not be part of a PCR regional or DFNA team placement provider foster care, kinship care and child and youth facility placement Statutory Director Director of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act supervisor supervisor of a unit, program or casework supervisor youth child that is 16-17-years-old young adult person that is 18-22-years-old young person child, youth and young adult Introduction to the Enhancement Policy Manual Page 5 of 9 Enhancement Policy Manual Classification.

9 Public Acronyms Full Term Acronym in Policy Alberta Foster and Kinship Association AFKA (formerly Alberta Foster Parent Association (AFPA)) Alberta Health Services AHS An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and M tis children, youth and families Federal Act Absent Without Leave AWOL Caregiver s Allegations Support Team CAST (formerly Foster Allegation Support Team (FAST)) Child Intervention Case Information Online CICIO Children s Services CS Children s Services or Community and Social Services Legal Team CS/CSS Legal Team Child Youth Information Module CYIM Community and Social Services CSS Criminal Record Check CRC Crown-Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada or Indigenous Services Canada CIRNAC/ISC Custody Agreement with Guardian CAG Custody Agreement with Youth CAY Custody Order CO Delegated First Nations Agency DFNA Enhancement Agreement with Youth EAY Family and Surrogate Court Litigation FASCL Family Enhancement Agreement with Guardian or Custodian FEA Family Support for Children with Disabilities FSCD Indigenous Governing Body IGB

10 Intervention Record Check IRC Legislated Accountabilities Supports Unit LASU Introduction to the Enhancement Policy Manual Page 6 of 9 Enhancement Policy Manual Classification: Public Full Term Acronym in Policy Indigenous Governing Body IGB Maintenance Enforcement Program MEP Orientation to Caregiver Training OCT Office of the Child and Youth Advocate OCYA Ongoing Assessment OA Placement Concerns Response PCR People, Families and Communities Sector PFCS foip Office (formerly Information Privacy Office (IPO)) Permanent Guardianship Agreement PGA Permanent Guardianship Order PGO Placement Concerns Response PCR Post Adoption Registrar PAR Registered Education Savings Plan RESP Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP Safety Assessment SA Secure Services Order SSO Structured Analysis Family Evaluation SAFE Supervision Order SO Support and Financial Assistance Agreement SFAA Temporary Guardianship Order TGO Introduction to the Enhancement Policy Manual Page 7 of 9 Enhancement Policy Manual Classification.