LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Garry Scarfe and Edith Isaiah have been providing a foster home for Deh Cho youth for three years and were given a send-off by Health and Social Services staff in Fort Simpson on Oct. 22 as they plan to move to greener pastures.

Maurice Tanche, left, and his wife Hazel Tanche join Edith Isaiah and Garry Scarfe during the appreciation dinner for foster parents on Oct. 22. Both couples received certificates of appreciation for their work in foster care. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Scarfe has lost track of how many regional children and youth the couple has fostered over the years - some for weeks and months at a time.

During the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority's annual appreciation dinner, social worker Jonathan Gray recognized Scarfe and Isaiah as a family who went "above and beyond" in their efforts to provide a stable home and good care for some of the vulnerable youth populations in the region.

Along with Scarfe and Isaiah, Marice and Hazel Tanche also received an award.

"It's difficult to put into words what they've done for kids in this community," Gray said.

The awards dinner celebrated staffing successes within Health and Social Services, as well.

Foster homes throughout the region

The department now has 21 foster homes throughout the area - the highest ever, according to Child, Youth and Family Services manager Connie McNab - as well as emergency foster homes in each community.

Over the past six months, the department has recruited six new foster homes, one in each community, along with another 43 kilometres outside the village.

"We've been able to move our team all over the region, to Fort Liard, Fort Providence and Nahanni Butte," McNab said. "We only have one more position to fill on our team before we have full staff for the first time in almost 10 years."

McNab said recognizing foster parents is important to her department and she would like to see more community-wide appreciation for them.

Health and Social Services looks after youth from across the region. Shaun Ouellette, social work supervisor for the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority, said the department is always looking for more foster parents.

"Ultimately, you never know when we'll need someone in an emergency situation, if all the beds are full or if a foster parent is away, on vacation or on medical leave," he said. "It's important to have as many options as possible within the communities."

Fostering is a three-step process in the Deh Cho and involves an application, criminal record check and home study, where a social worker goes to assess the suitability and safety of the structure.

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