Earn the right to care for Indigenous children.

Who can be certified?

Foster care agencies, group homes, residential care facilities, and child welfare providers whose practice touches Indigenous families. Certification is granted to the organization. It is not a one-time pass. It is an ongoing accountability relationship between the provider and the communities they serve.

What are the six stages?

Each stage has a defined purpose, an expected outcome, and a typical duration. The team accompanies organizations throughout. Certification is the end of the first cycle, not the end of the relationship.

1. 01

   Inquiry

   Submit an inquiry to begin a conversation with the certification team. A team member responds within ten business days to discuss your work, the seven pillars, and whether your organization is positioned to begin the process.

   Outcome: You leave the conversation knowing whether IFISC is the right fit and what the next stage looks like.

   ~ 2 weeks
2. 02

   Self-Assessment

   Complete a structured self-assessment across the seven pillars to identify alignment, gaps, and starting points. The self-assessment is confidential and supported by the certification team.

   Outcome: A clear internal map of where the organization stands across each pillar.

   ~ 4 to 8 weeks
3. 03

   Submission and Review

   Submit documented evidence of practice across all seven pillars. The certification team reviews against the standard, flagging strengths, gaps, and questions.

   Outcome: A written review identifying what is aligned, what needs work, and what is exemplary.

   ~ 8 to 12 weeks
4. 04

   Community Verification

   Verification with community members and families served. Accountability is shared, not assumed. References are spoken with directly. This is the stage that distinguishes IFISC from internal-only audits.

   Outcome: Community voices on the record about whether the organization’s practice matches its documentation.

   ~ 4 to 6 weeks
5. 05

   Certification Decision

   A decision is issued: certified, conditional, or not yet aligned. Conditional standing carries a defined improvement pathway with concrete milestones. Not-yet-aligned decisions come with a written report identifying named gaps.

   Outcome: A formal decision, a written rationale, and a public listing if certified.

   ~ 2 weeks
6. 06

   Renewal

   Certification is renewable on a defined cycle. Ongoing evidence of practice and community feedback are required. The standard is a living standard, and certification is a living relationship.

   Outcome: Certified status is maintained through demonstrated practice, not a one-time event.

   Every 3 years