Winnipeg: January 7, 2019 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Manitoba government has entered a partnership with the Southern First Nations Network of Care (SFNNC) to deliver the province’s first-ever Social Impact Bond (SIB), Families Minister Heather Stefanson announced today.

“We want to help strengthen the bond between mothers and children to reduce the number of infants apprehended into the child welfare system,” said Stefanson. “Social impact bonds are an innovative way for government to work together with the private sector and community groups to find new solutions to pressing social challenges. Our landmark SIB in child welfare encourages a multi-sector relationship to meet a common goal of preventing the apprehension of infants and reducing the amount of time children spend in care.”

The two-year pilot project, Restoring the Sacred Bond, will match doulas with Indigenous mothers who are at risk of having their infant apprehended into the child welfare system.

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