
Social Services
The work of the Social Services Coordination Unit (SSCU), under the Chiefs of Ontario, is an ongoing and dedicated effort to improve the quality of service and care for First Nations citizens according to First Nations customs and values.
First Nations have consistently emphasized that the gross disparity in the resources provided for First Nation child welfare services versus Canadian children must be addressed, especially as there are more Indigenous children in care today than at the height of the residential school regime.
The Social Services Coordination Unit (SSCU) is a technical and advisory body operating under the Chiefs of Ontario. It provides advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Leadership Council and the Chiefs in Ontario on initiatives pertaining to 1965 Welfare Agreement, Ontario Works, Child and Family Services, Daycare, and Homemakers services. Under the 4 major programs there are 30+ sub-programs.
The SSCU was set up to support First Nation participation in policy and program development of social services for their regions. The broad focus of the Unit is to:
- Support the independent efforts of the PTO Social Units directed at assisting First Nations to develop social services for their communities; resolving issues between present legislation and regulations, and First Nation requirements for social services;
- Develop strategies and policy/position papers on social services issues;
- Support the consultation and negotiation processes for the attainment of First Nation control of social services;
- Develop a working and information sharing relationship with other First Nation and non-Aboriginal social services organizations;
Regular intergovernmental liaising with federal and provincial governments to facilitate information access for First Nations.
The members of the SSCU is composed of Social Services Directors from the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty #3, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, one representative of the Independent First Nations and the Six Nations of the Grand River.
Mission: The Chiefs of Ontario Social Sector plans on leading the way through advocacy and engaging with political leaders and government by:
- Creating and maintaining a supportive and collaborative work environment for our team to do the ‘good’ work.
- Seeking equitable services and realizing human rights.
- Prioritizing First Nation Leadership through coordination, resources, and communication to create opportunities for First Nation sovereignty in the Canadian Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments.
- Supporting First Nation Leadership in their pursuit of self-determination, jurisdiction, and sovereignty.
- Establishing and maintaining strategic political partnerships development with Canadian governments for all social services and programs on/off-reserve.
Values:
- To have Social Services improve the quality of life for First Nations citizens through service and care.
- To consistently respect and improve First Nations individual and collective rights, self-determination, jurisdiction and sovereignty.
- To advocate for equitable Social Services from the governments through substantively equitable funding allocations.
- To demonstrate that the COO Social Sector is a leader and expert in social services areas and political advocacy.

Child and Family Wellbeing
Our Nations’ children are not only being failed through a lack of equal opportunities to education, but also through a lack of culturally appropriate and inadequately resourced child welfare structures to protect and keep our children in our communities.

Early Learning and Child Care

Social Assistance

Technical Tables
Contact the Social Services Sector
Toronto Office
(416) 597-1266
Toll-Free: 1-877-517-6527
THE LATEST FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICES SECTOR
Updates
Request for Proposals: Workshop Facilitators and/or Presenters for the 2025 COO ELCC Conference
You are invited to submit a proposal for the Chiefs of Ontario 2025 Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Conference as
Request for Proposals: Master of Ceremonies for COO 2025 ELCC Conference
You are invited to submit a proposal for the Chiefs of Ontario 2025 Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Conference as
Statement from Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation regarding Caring Society Motion at the CHRT
Statement from Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation regarding Caring Society Motion at the CHRT January 16, 2025 - Ontario
Chiefs of Ontario remain committed to ending the discrimination against children living on-reserve
(Treaty No. 7 Territory, Calgary, AB. – October 18, 2024) The Chiefs of Ontario will continue to fight for on-reserve children
DOWNLOADS FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICES SECTOR