Naveah.
Found at five years old, wrapped in a blanket, dead in a dumpster in downtown Toronto. Known to four child protection agencies but they did not see her or remember her.
It is too easy to make her death only about the failings of a Mother, or the failings of a Judge, or the failings of child protection workers. There were undoubtedly errors in judgement, mistakes by omission and commission. We must learn about and from all of this. Yes there must be an Inquest
In her death in such complete darkness, Naveah shines brightly. We all see her now, We wont look away. She illuminates the dark corners where as young people have told me “bad things happen”
In those dark corners exists a 130 year old child protection system that was already failing badly and with six years of government “system redesign” is now collapsing.
In those dark corners exist hollowed out systems of support for children and families – services for children with complex special needs, services for children and families battling poor mental health, addictions, intimate partner violence, children requiring special education , childcare – This is not hyperbole. These support systems are in free fall
At the same time Naveah’s light allows us to see opportunity. Opportunity we can seize in her name
We can decide to create a Province where every child has what they need when they need it in order to thrive.
We can decide to create a Province where every family has what they need when they need it in order to do right by their children
We can decide to create a Province where every child is safe and protected.
We can create a Province that is rooted in “belonging” in all its glorious meanings.
How can we get there?
We must decide to end the “child welfare” system as we know it.
“Child welfare” should no longer mean the social work binary choice between “protection” and “prevention”. As if removing a child from harm is not a form of child abuse “prevention” and as if providing a parent with therapy is not a form of “protection”. Blow it up. Let it be done.
If you hear yourself or someone else talking about “prevention” or “protection” you know that you or they are stuck. The conversation is not about change but more of the same.
We can decide to create a child and family well being system.
A system that is built architecturally across government, across jurisdiction (Provincial and Municipal) . A system with a legislated mandate that empowers it to marshal resources from any Ministry within government to meet a need.
We have done this in times of war. We have done this in times of pandemic. We can do it now for our children and in turn for all of us
On the ground perhaps this new system is implemented within community and by community. How can our Public Health system be of use? How can our various systems of “service navigation” found in every Ministry be of use? We can build. Together.
Yes I understand that this fundamental change, this fundamental commitment to children can not possibly happen overnight. Its not about money. Its about will. Its about values. Its about our way of thinking. Its about how we do things
We will have to transition to a new system. We will build the plane as we fly it. Will we still have some sort of child protection system as part of this well being system? Maybe. For a time. But if every child one day has what they need and every family one day has what they need then the framework has changed and having a child leave their home for safety does not mean separation but a way of inclusion.
I believe we are well past asking ourselves “how can this happen?” when we hear Neveah’s story. We know damn well how it happens. Anything I have written here or in other pieces, on line, or said in interviews is not news to children, youth, staff, parents, management, bureaucrats, Ministers. Those responsible have looked away.
We are now at the point of either despair or action. Action is the antidote to despair.
It is enough.
So act. Right now a simple act. Write your Member of Provincial Parliament, your City Councilor an email. Just say “In Neveah’s name I want fundamental change now”. Tell your neighbour, your friend, your coworker, your social media followers to do the same. That’s it for now. There will be more for you to do.
Right now tell Neveah you will not look away