Our Operations Department may not always be the one you see at community events or in family meetings, but it’s the team that makes sure those moments can happen.
Community-First, Culture-Focused
Operations isn’t just about keeping the lights on or the doors open. We provide the space, resources, systems, and safety measures that allow Sunchild Child & Family Services to deliver meaningful, culturally respectful support to children, youth, and families every day. It’s about making sure every program has what it needs to serve the community effectively. We believe that when our internal systems are strong, our staff can focus on what matters most: helping families thrive.
Our work touches every corner of the agency. From preparing a meeting room for a family circle to ensuring our cultural gatherings have the supplies they need to keeping our technology running so caseworkers can stay connected. Everything we do is about supporting the people who serve the Nation.
Core Services That Keep Us Moving
The Operations Department manages a wide range of essential services:
Facility Management and Maintenance
Keeping office spaces, meeting rooms, and community areas safe, accessible, and welcoming.
Health and Safety Compliance
Running workplace safety programs, emergency preparedness plans, and hazard assessments to protect staff and visitors.
Technology and Communication Systems
Maintaining secure, reliable systems for data, internet, phones, and communication tools.
Transportation Coordination
Managing vehicles, driver safety protocols, and travel arrangements for outreach and home visits.
Supply and Resource Management
Providing everything from safety equipment to cultural materials and outreach tools.
Putting Safety First for Staff and Families
Safety is a priority in every aspect of our work. Our team ensures that staff have the knowledge, equipment, and support to do their jobs with confidence:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), safety alarms, and first aid kits.
- Ongoing training in de-escalation, emergency response, and mental wellness.
- Lone worker safety protocols and GPS check-in systems.
- Clear processes for reporting and addressing safety concerns quickly.
- Access to counselling and wellness supports to prevent burnout and vicarious trauma.
Every plan, space, and system we create reflects Sunchild Nation’s values and ways of being. This encompasses everything we do, including:
- Designing spaces with Indigenous art, language signage, and areas for ceremony.
- Ensuring operational support for community events like powwows, feasts, and naming ceremonies.
- Providing cultural resources such as smudge kits, traditional medicines, and protocol guides.
- Supporting staff to follow cultural protocols when visiting homes or attending ceremonies.
Planning for the Future of the Sunchild Nation
The Operations Department also looks ahead, making sure our facilities grow with the needs of the community. We oversee multiple areas of the Nation, with a focus on families and the children we’re raising. This includes:
- Facility Planning and Expansion: Assessing needs and creating spaces that work for staff, children, and families.
- Culturally Informed Design: Including elements like circular meeting rooms, natural light, and ceremony spaces in new builds.
- Infrastructure Maintenance: Ensuring buildings, grounds, and utilities are kept to high standards of safety and accessibility.
- Capital Project Management: Working with architects, engineers, and funding partners to complete projects on time and on budget.
- Sustainable Development: Incorporating energy efficiency, green space, and environmentally responsible practices.
- Community Access: Creating spaces that serve both the agency and the Nation, from gathering areas to multi-use rooms.
Always Listening, Always Improving
We know that strong operations come from collaboration. We listen to staff, leadership, and community members to find better ways to work, whether that’s updating policies, improving communication, or adding new tools to make the job easier.
By creating safe, efficient, and culturally affirming systems, the Operations Department ensures that Sunchild Child & Family Services can focus on its purpose: supporting the wellbeing of our children, youth, and families, today and for generations to come.
Here to help, every step of the way
We know that seeking support can be difficult. Our doors are always open for those who need us. If you have questions or want to learn more about our services, contact us at any time. Our team is here to listen, guide, and walk with you every step of the way.
Office: 825-658-3000
If a child needs immediate help, call 911 or the Child Intervention Crisis Line at 1-800-638-0715.