Fearless R2W group aims to change parents' beliefs about CFS

A new grassroots group in Winnipeg says parents of children in care should collaborate with Child and Family Services workers, not fight them.

Fearless R2W is named in part after a postal code in the city's St. John's and North Point Douglas neighbourhoods, where members say one in six families have had children apprehended by CFS.

Mary Burton, a foster mother who works with the group, says their first step is to educate parents about the child welfare system and help them overcome negative beliefs.

"People look at CFS as the big bully. I look at CFS as a necessary evil," said Burton, who was also in care when she was a child.

"We need CFS. There are children out there who need to be protected."

In response to recommendations put forward by the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry, the provincial government promised an overhaul of the system to keep more children — including aboriginal children — with their families and home communities.

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Burton said parents should work together with social workers who can help them get their children out of care.

"I don't believe that people should be fighting the system. CFS is needed," she said.

"It may not always be needed. There's some cases where I've seen that they weren't needed to be there, but they were there."

Fearless R2W is offering learning circles where parents can learn about their rights when it comes to provincial CFS legislation. The group also hopes to be an advocate for parents whose children have been apprehended.