The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has a new manager, and she hails from 100 Mile House.
Barbara Perrey has taken over the role vacated by Howard Kirkham when he retired last year, and has become the MCFD community services manager for the Cariboo-Chilcotin-North Thompson network.
While she has been with MCFD since 2005 and has performed the acting management duties since March 2010, she officially took over the position late last year.
“I think I bring a diverse focus to the work because of my background in mental health and my experience many years ago with MCFD, [including] having worked with children, adults and seniors.”
Perrey notes many people’s perception of MCFD is generally related to child protection, so one of her goals is to increase awareness of the range of services and supports that the ministry provides.
The majority of the work is family support with very positive outcomes, she says, adding the ministry is also a major contributor to the community.
“Many people don’t realize that funding is distributed through the local ministry office to organizations in the community, such as the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre.”
Another of Perrey’s goals is to further a shift toward early prevention and intervention to improve positive outcomes for families, and particularly for children.
The new manager says she hopes to achieve that through building community relationships, developing opportunities for integrated services and providing a multi-disciplinary approach to the services delivered at MCFD.
As an MCFD key goal, Perrey says she also intends to further the work with First Nations people, which is based on their culture and traditions, as well as working alongside their communities.
Born and raised in 100 Mile House, Perrey lived on her parent’s ranch near Horse Lake until graduating from high school, when she left to complete her education in social work, which culminated in a masters degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax.
“Aboriginal reconciliation is an imperative and we need to acknowledge past injustices and make an ongoing commitment for increased allocation of resources.”
After a long career in social work spanning 30 years, much of it in the Okanagan Valley where she also raised two daughters, Perrey says she was very happy to return to her hometown in 2004.
Now residing on a small farm in the area, Perrey adds she’s maintained a love of horses and equestrian sports developed during her childhood involvement in 4-H clubs and rodeos.
After participating over the years in cutting, reining and western events, Perrey notes she still rides and helps round up cattle on a friend’s large Chilcotin area ranch.
She also enjoys hiking, camping, snowshoeing and other outdoor activities.
Despite a lengthy background in social work as well as with Interior Health, she explains the new role of community services manager for the region is a big step for her.
“It was certainly a lot to take on and, particularly following Howard [Kirkham], it’s pretty big shoes to fill.”
She adds it was a great privilege to work with her predecessor over the years.
