Mission Statement / Department Objectives:

To support parents, extended families, and communities in protecting their children from abuse and neglect. To recognize and strengthen Nuu-chah-nulth culture and identity. To strengthen and maintain the extended family system. To ensure the healthy growth and development of all children within Nuu-chah-nulth families and communities.

To provide protective services to families living on Nuu-chah-nulth reserves by investigating reports of child abuse and neglect and ensuring the safety and support of children whom are victims of abuse and neglect.

Contact Usma Nuu-chah-nulth at:
(250) 724-3232
(250) 723-6017 Fax
1-877-722-3232 Toll Free

PO Box 1280
5001 Mission Road
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 7M2

Helpline for Children
310-1234

Larry Pond - Director Family and Child Services
email: lpond@nuuchahnulth.org

The Usma Program is comprised of two teams; each team has a casework supervisor who is responsible to the Usma Director. The Teams are as follows:

Child Protection and Family Service Team: This team is responsible for assessment of all intakes, investigation of all reports of children in need of protection and case management of all family services and related child in care files.

The staff composition of this team is:

Ian Clark
Casework Supervisor Child Protection/Family Service Team

Kelly Lucas
Intake Social Worker

Wendy Lee
Intake/Assessment Social Worker

Daisy Edwards
Family Service Social Worker

Kelly Falkenberg
Family Service Social Worker

Nicole Charlie
Intake/Family Service Social Worker

Crystal Ernst
Intake Social Worker

Caroline Hubbs
Administrative Assistant

Guardianship and Resources Team: This team is responsible for supervision of all children in continuing custody and the recruitment, training and support of all Usma resource homes.

The staff composition of this team is:

Leah Clutesi
Casework Supervisor Guardianship/Resource Team

Terry McDonald
Resource Social Worker

Amber Severinson
Resource Social Worker

John Mayba
Guardianship Social Worker

Geni Irlam
Guardianship Social Worker

Sandra Karlsen
Guardianship Social Worker

Ruth Charleson
Guardianship Social Worker

Penny Matthews
Outreach Youth Worker Port Alberni

Della Francoeur
Administrative Assistant

Maggie Gus
Receptionist


Family Support Workers:

Linus Lucas
Supervisor to Family Support Workers

Mark Jensen
Family Support Worker Port Alberni

Gillian Ramsey
Family Support Worker Port Alberni

Ed Mack
Family Support Worker West Coast

Family Group Conferencing:

Julie Fontaine
Program Co-ordinator

Supported Child Development Program:

Norine Messer
Program Co-ordinator

Ruby Ambrose
Supported Child Development Services Co-ordinator