One or more specialized child protection investigation and assessment offices have now been established in each of the Ministry s 20 regions. Each region has a regional child protection manager and a regional child protection consultant. The new Risk Assessment tool is being used universally.
Evaluation is underway.
The Handbook outlines responsibilities and procedures for police, mental health, community health, probation, education and MCF staff. They will become mandatory standards in June or July 1998. Guardianship standards are under development. All offices will be audited once every three years. Audits of residential resources in compliance with the new Residential Resource Standards will begin in October or November 1998.