First Nations Child and Family Services Program
Prevention and protection services for the well-being of First Nations children and families on reserve and in the Yukon.
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About the program
The First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program supports the ongoing provision of culturally appropriate prevention, including early intervention, and legislated protection services, including least disruptive measures, to respond to children at risk of harm or maltreatment, support family preservation and well-being, including cultural and linguistic connections for First Nations children, youth and families ordinarily resident on reserve or in the Yukon.
All protection services funded by the Program are provided in accordance with the legislation and standards of the province or territory of residence. As of January 1, 2020, service providers delivering child and family services to Indigenous children must comply with the national principles and minimum standards set in An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
In January 2016, the CHRT ordered Canada to reform the FNCFS Program and the 1965 Agreement with the Province of Ontario. This order, and subsequent orders, arose from a human rights complaint filed by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations in 2007. Compliance with CHRT orders is a legal obligation that continues to guide the Program's design and delivery.
On December 22, 2025, the Government of Canada announced $35.5 billion to 2033-34, and an ongoing commitment of $4.4 billion annually to advance a new First Nations-led approach to reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
Learn more:
Funding under the program
Child protection services
There are 2 kinds of child protection services funded:
- child protection, guardianship, and support
- maintenance and care.
Child protection, guardianship, and support funds the provision of child protection services for children and families who ordinarily reside on reserve or in the Yukon. Costs include the core operations of child and family service agencies with delegated authority under provincial or territorial legislation.
Maintenance and care funding covers the costs when First Nations children and youth are placed into temporary or permanent out-of-home care.
Prevention services
Fund a range of prevention activities and services that improve First Nations' safety and well-being. Prevention services address the root causes or structural drivers that contribute to the overrepresentation of First Nations children and youth coming into contact with the child and family services system.
Post-majority support services
Supports youth aging out of care and young adults formerly in care as they approach the age of majority and transition into adulthood, up to their 26th birthday or to the age defined in provincial/Yukon legislation, whichever is greater. Learn more: Post-majority support services for First Nations youth and young adults
First Nation Representative services
Funds the representation and support of First Nations children and families who are involved, or at risk of becoming involved, with the child and family services system. Learn more: First Nation Representative Services information
Capital asset funding
For the purchase, construction and renovation of capital assets needed to support the delivery of FNCFS activities across the 4 major funding streams set out above. Learn more: Funding for capital assets: Jordan's Principle and First Nations child and family services
Housing
Dedicated, time-limited funding (from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028) to support the purchase, construction, or renovation of housing units in First Nation communities to address the needs of children and families.
Eligibility
First Nations and First Nations child and family services agencies access Program funding under the FNCFS Program's Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions specify the Program eligibility requirements and the rules that guide the use of funds.
For child protection services, Indigenous Services Canada provides funding through funding agreements to First Nations child and family services agencies that are established, managed and controlled by First Nations, and delegated by provincial authorities to provide provincially delegated services.
Where there is no delegated First Nations child and family services agency (such as the Yukon), the department funds the appropriate provincial or territorial governments to provide these services.
The FNCFS Program is not delivered in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut. Funding for child and family services for First Nations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut is provided to the territorial government through transfer payment agreements.
Contact us
For more information, questions or concerns, please contact your nearest ISC Regional Office.