Kiwehtata Parenting Program

The Kiwehtata Program is a parent/child development program for Aboriginal families living in Calgary with children 0-3 years of age who want to access services to learn more effective parenting strategies. 90% of participants are referred through Child and Family Services Authority. Families can also self refer to the Program by contacting the provider directly. Kiwehtata Parenting Program is offered on a monthly basis. The program provides transportation, resources and healthy lunches.

The Kiwehtata Program consists of a two-week day program offered at the West Central Resource Centre. The program provides complementary in-home support and follow-up one day per week. Participants attend the program with their children, creating an opportunity for parents to apply their newly learned skills. Child-care, a variety of healthy foods and information regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Effects, Post-Partum Depression and Baby Bottle Mouth Syndrome are provided during the program. The Kiwehtata Program is focused on providing an intensive, hands-on parent/child learning experience aimed at enhancing parental skills and reducing risk factors.

Families that successfully engage with the Program reduce the risk of their children being removed from the home by Child and Family Services. Those who already have children in the care of Child Welfare learn skills that help them re-gain permanent custody of their children.

Pekewe Family Reunification Services

Pekewe House offers opportunities for Aboriginal parents and their children to live together in a safe, nurturing environment. Pekewe House is available to families involved in the Child and Family Service Authority. The program is unique in its design to support the parent and child while they learn and strengthen the skills necessary to improve their family situation. A House Parent resides permanently at the house in order to provide 24-hour emergency and crisis support. Additional support is provided by Family Support Workers.

Preservation and reunification is the focus of this program. Pekewe House creates opportunities for Aboriginal families to reunite, further integrate into the community with in-home support, and to utilize community resources to support their long-term success.

Children and their families that engage in the program reduce their reliance on emergency services such as police intervention, accessing homeless shelters, and having their child remain in social services care. Keeping families together and creating an environment for parents and children to learn important skills in a natural home setting increases family stability long-term and create value well into the future.

Families can be referred to the program by contacting the program directly.