MONCTON – The government decision to completely eliminate Human Services Counsellors’ positions throughout the province will affect the supports to Child Protection in a negative way.
“The human services counsellors are often the ears and the eyes of the social workers”, explained Denise LeBlanc, president of CUPE 1418, which represents socials workers in the province.
“They play a vital role in observing safety factors with families and report directly to social workers if a problem occurs. They provide services such as supervised visits for children in care and transportation to and from those visits with their family”, explained LeBlanc.
“Their work is an essential part of the service we provide to the children of this province. They support foster families that are managing some very challenged children.”
“The decision to eliminate 38 Human Services Counsellor positions will create a shortage of personnel to look after the families who need them the most.”
“We are also very concerned with the decision to eliminate as well 8 Home Economist positions. They also play an important role in offering vital services to the families in need. They help the families to recover from crisis, they help them manage their food, their money and offer a lot of support.”
“The human service counsellors and the home economists are a vital part of a team which goal is to help New Brunswickers to have a better life.”
“We urge the government to reconsider its decision,” concluded LeBlanc.
For more information:
Denise LeBlanc, President CUPE 1418
530-0837 or 532-2452
DS:trb/cope491