ACFS LAUNCHES SKA'NIKÒN:RA CASE MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

Akwesasne Child & Family Services (ACFS) is proud to announce that its new case management platform, Skaʼnikòn:ra, is officially live as of October 1, 2025.

The development of Ska'nikòn:ra has been a two-year process involving every part of the agency and their counterparts. From the beginning, ACFS staff provided input to ensure the system reflects Akwesasne's unique needs, culture, and language. Unlike the Ministry's standard CPIN system, Ska'nikòn:ra was designed in partnership with RedMane, allowing ACFS creative control to tailor the platform with Kanien'kehá:ka values and softer, more client-friendly language.

This new platform will streamline services across departments. For example, areas that once relied on handwritten documents will now have digital tools with built-in approval processes, improving efficiency even when staff are out of the office. Most importantly, Ska'nikòn:ra captures the voices and stories of families and children, creating person-based records that honor relationships and lived experiences.

The name Skaʼnikòn:ra, meaning "One Mind," was chosen through a staff-wide vote after being suggested by Karen Jocko and reflects the collective effort behind this project. The logo, designed by Courtney Skidders, represents the medicine wheel and the balance of working together in harmony to support families.

While the original launch was targeted for April, additional testing and refinements were needed to ensure the best outcome. Staff have since dedicated countless hours to data integration, training, and preparation, all while balancing their daily duties. Their hard work and commitment are now coming to fruition.

Niawenhko:wa to all staff (past and present) who dedicated countless hours of effort, training, and testing to make this launch a reality. Skaʼnikòn:ra now provides ACFS with a modern, culturally grounded, and person-focused platform that will benefit Akwesasne children and families for years to come.