Manitoba acts to improve shelter system for children at risk.

WINNIPEG -- Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick announced an action plan that responds to recommendations from the Office of the Children's Advocate for improvements to the short-term shelter system for children who are at risk.

The province's action plan identifies four key steps to be addressed immediately:

* creating 50 new spaces with foster care resources for children under age eight;

* establishing an implementation committee to further address major recommendations;

* increasing supports for shelter workers; and

* hiring more staff for licensing and monitoring of shelters.

The Manitoba government has already taken steps to redirect resources from shelters to alternatives and strengthen onsite supervision and management of the shelter system.

The implementation committee will be led by Joy Cramer, executive director, Child Protection Branch, Manitoba Family Services and Housing; and Dr. Denis Bracken, professor of social work, University of Manitoba. The committee includes representatives from the three Aboriginal child and family services authorities and the child and family services general authority.

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