Our Program → Back Together
Bringing families back together — safely
The Back Together Family Reunification Program supports families separated by the child welfare system in reunifying through graduated, culturally grounded support.
Family is not a privilege — it's a right
There are 9,172 children in CFS care in Manitoba — 91% of them First Nations, Métis, or Inuit (Manitoba Department of Families, Annual Report 2024-25). For families working toward reunification, the gap between wanting to come home and having a safe, supported place to do it is often the barrier that keeps them apart.
Back Together exists to close that gap. We provide a dedicated, staffed home where families can rebuild their relationships at a pace that prioritises safety, trust, and cultural connection — with the goal of permanent, stable reunification.
How It Works
A graduated path to reunification
Families move through three stages at their own pace. Each stage builds trust, strengthens family bonds, and demonstrates readiness for the next step — with staff support at every point.
Supervised Visits
Children live in a safe, staffed reunification home while parents visit for structured, supervised sessions. Staff provide parenting support, therapeutic guidance, and help families rebuild connection at a pace that feels right.
- Structured visitation in a safe, home-like setting
- Parenting support and therapeutic guidance
- Staff present during all visits
- Progress documented for CFS case plan
- Cultural and Elder programming for the whole family
Overnight Stays
Parents begin staying overnight with their children. This graduated transition builds confidence and family routines while maintaining the safety net of on-site staff support.
- Overnight family stays in the reunification home
- Graduated increase in unsupervised family time
- Daily routine building and parenting practice
- Ongoing staff support and check-ins
- Case management and CFS coordination
Full Family Reunification
The entire family lives together in the reunification home with 24/7 staff support, case management, and outcome tracking. Families build the stability and skills needed to transition to fully independent living.
- Family lives together with 24/7 on-site support
- Case management and outcome documentation
- Life skills and household management support
- Cultural programming and spiritual wellness
- Transition planning for independent housing
After reunification, families transition to independent housing with follow-up support to ensure the transition is lasting.
What we provide
Comprehensive support for every stage of the reunification journey.
24/7 Safe Housing
A dedicated family unit in a staffed, home-like setting where families can focus on rebuilding together.
Supervised Visitation
Structured, supportive visit sessions with trained staff present to guide and document progress.
Case Management
Dedicated coordination with CFS agencies, family court, and support services throughout the process.
Cultural Programming
Elder guidance, ceremony, and cultural activities woven into the reunification process for the whole family.
Spiritual Wellness
We honour whatever spiritual path grounds each family — traditional practices, faith communities, or both.
Outcome Tracking
Rigorous documentation and progress reporting that supports the CFS case plan and demonstrates family readiness.
Transportation
Assistance getting families to appointments, visits, and community connections during the program.
Post-Reunification Support
Follow-up support after families move to independent housing to ensure the transition is permanent.
Culturally Grounded
Healing happens in community
Reunification is about more than a family living under one roof. It's about reconnecting with identity, culture, and the communities that give families strength. Elder guidance, ceremony, and cultural programming are woven into every stage of the process.
Many of the families we serve come from Northern communities where church and faith are central to daily life. We respect and support connection to faith communities alongside traditional cultural practices — guided by what each family identifies as meaningful to them.
Eligibility
Who this program is for
Families in CFS Care
Families with children currently in CFS care in Manitoba.
Reunification Plan
The CFS agency has identified reunification as the goal.
Parental Commitment
Parents demonstrating commitment to the process.
Professional Referral
Referral from a CFS agency, social worker, or professional.
This program is referral-based. If you're a family seeking reunification support, contact your CFS worker or reach out to us directly and we'll help connect you with the right pathway.
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you're a professional looking to refer a family or a family member seeking information, we're here to help.