Family PRIDE can support kinship and alternative caregivers before a family reaches crisis.

Information reviewed September 2026. Eligibility, contacts and service processes can change, so use the linked Mi'kmaq-led or official source when a current rule matters.

Who can access Family PRIDE?

MCPEI currently says Family PRIDE prevention services and supports are available to children, youth and families who are normally and ordinarily resident on reserve under Indigenous Services Canada definitions. If you are unsure whether the child's current living arrangement meets the program's eligibility rules, contact MCPEI rather than assuming.

MCPEI Family PRIDE Program

Current supports are unusually relevant to kinship caregivers.

MCPEI currently lists supports including:

• in-home supports and family-strengthening programs;
• cultural and recreational activities supporting children and families at risk;
• clinical therapy for children and families;
• funding for addictions and mental-health treatment;
• transportation for appointments connected with child and family wellbeing;
• parent education and youth mentorship;
• advocacy for families working with Child Protection;
• respite support;
• emergency funding for an alternative caregiver when that support can help prevent a child from being placed in care;
• emergency food, diaper and baby-food funding; and
• legal support for adoption and mediation fees.

Emergency alternative-caregiver funding deserves particular attention.

A grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling or other caregiver can face immediate costs when a child needs to stay with them. MCPEI specifically identifies emergency funding for an alternative caregiver as a prevention support when it can help avoid a child entering care. The amount, circumstances and approval process are case specific, so ask Family PRIDE directly.

Family PRIDE and GACP are not the same program.

PEI GACP is a provincial Child Protection-linked placement program. Family PRIDE is a Mi'kmaq-led prevention and family-support program with its own eligibility and services. A family may need to ask how the programs interact rather than assuming one replaces the other.

See the PEI GACP guide

Family PRIDE and Jordan's Principle can also address different needs.

Jordan's Principle is a federal legal rule for eligible First Nations children with unmet health, social or educational needs. Family PRIDE is a local prevention and family-support service. Depending on the child's situation, one may be the right route, or the family may need both systems involved.

See the Jordan's Principle guide

Advocacy with Child Protection can reduce the caregiver's navigation burden.

MCPEI explicitly lists advocacy and support for families working with Child Protection. If a caregiver is trying to understand meetings, placement expectations, family contact, documents or prevention services, ask Family PRIDE what support is available.

How to start.

Contact the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI and ask for the Family PRIDE Program. MCPEI's main contact is currently 902-626-2882 and info@mcpei.ca. The program serves Abegweit and Lennox Island First Nations communities.