GNWT Releases the Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services
Press Release
October 30, 2025
Today the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled the 2024-2025 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services (CFS) in the Legislative Assembly.
The Annual Report provides a detailed summary of services delivered in the Northwest Territories (NWT) between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Services include adoption, family preservation, prevention supports, and protection. The report also shows trends that can help to identify opportunities for improvement and where positive and meaningful change has taken place.
In 2024-2025, 75% of children and youth who received prevention and/or protection services remained in the home of their family of origin. Additionally, 55% of Indigenous children and youth who required support outside their home were living with an Indigenous caregiver. This highlights ongoing efforts to preserve cultural identity and strengthen family connections.
Despite positive trends, the report continues to show areas that require collective attention, particularly the overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in prevention and protection services. In 2024-2025, 98% of children and youth receiving services identified as Indigenous, despite only representing 58% of the overall child/youth population in the NWT.
Child and Family Services continues to advance key initiatives under the Child, Youth and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan (2023-2028).
- Foster Care Redesign: Feedback from over 73 engagement reports across the NWT helped identify core principles and values to inform the redesign of foster care. Over 80 models of care from across the country were reviewed to guide the work moving forward. This review also identified challenges and opportunities for model development and implementation.
- Cultural Storytelling: A series of powerful videos showcasing Indigenous practices that help keep children and youth safe through storytelling have been created. These will be released in the coming weeks.
- Custom Adoption Commissioners: In collaboration with Indigenous Governments, six new Custom Adoption Commissioners were appointed, bringing the total to ten across the territory.
- Youth Engagement: The “Roots and Wings” event, held in June 2025, brought together 41 youth from across the NWT for a day of connection, inspiration, and cultural celebration.
Quote
“The Annual Report reflects a shared commitment across the Northwest Territories to build a Child and Family Services system rooted in culture, connection and care. Guided by the Strategic Direction and Action Plan, we are creating meaningful change – where families lead, youth are supported, and communities shape a future that honours identity, promotes wellbeing, and strengthens relationships.”
– Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services
Quick facts
- 1,199 children and youth received prevention and/or protection services through CFS.
- Prevention focused services represented 52% of services delivered through CFS.
- The Family Preservation Program assisted 146 families and 37 youth.
- Financial and housing insecurity were two of the most common reasons why families and youth requested voluntary services in 2024-2025.
- 55% of Indigenous children and youth who required support outside their home were living with an Indigenous caregiver.
- Over the past five years, 78% of young persons in the permanent custody of the Director signed an Extended Support Services Agreement at age 19.
- 98% of children and youth receiving child and family services identify as Indigenous (either First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), despite only representing 58% of the overall child/youth population in the NWT.
- In March 2025, the CFS workforce vacancy rate was 20%. Thirty percent of staff identify as Indigenous.
Related links
- Annual Report
- Child, Youth and Family Services Strategic Direction and Action Plan
- 2024/2025 Annual Report Highlights
For media requests, please contact:
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Andrew_Wind@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034
ILR4
