Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 25/02) - Trudy McClements spends a lot of time either recruiting, supporting, or training.

For about a year now she has been foster care co-ordinator for the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board.

Trudy McClements is foster care co-ordinator for the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

"The first and probably one of the biggest parts of my job is recruitment, trying to find enough homes in our region that are willing to take in children," McClements said.

She also spends a lot of time fielding questions.

"I do a lot of day to day support," McClements said.

"I'm also responsible for trying to improve the communication between the departmental board and the foster parents."

Accordingly, McClements has started up a monthly newsletter.

"I'm involved in a lot of the training processes. We developed a training program last year, and now we're kind of in the process of implementing that program for all the different communities, to try and provide some orientation and training to all the parents."

McClements has held training workshops in most of the communities within the region, and said that once finished of the first round of visits, will probably hold another round.

"The favourite part of my job here is actually when I get to go out into the community and meet with the foster parents," she said.

"One of the things I'm working on right now is trying to implement like a special rates scale, so if a child in your care has special needs, then we can try to adjust what we pay. So that's kind of an innovative project."

McClements is the first to hold this position, and explained it's been challenging to expand her area, which beforehand was a small part within the child and family services program.

Before coming to Inuvik, McClements was a social worker in Paulatuk. She grew up in Lougheed, Alta., and started living in Calgary about eight years before coming North. She has a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, and a social work degree.

With a laugh, McClements revealed she ended up coming North after picnicking with a friend who was reading the classifieds. She asked him what jobs were available, and learned about the position in Paulatuk. She applied and ended up coming North of 60, and said she really enjoys it.

"I didn't know what to expect when I came, but so far I've had a great experience."