Children's aid societies
Protecting our children and youth
In Ontario, child protection services are:
- provided by children's aid societies
- governed by the Child and Family Services Act.
About Ontario's children aid societies
- There are 53 children's aid societies across Ontario
- Six of the children's aid societies are Aboriginal and three are faith-based (two Catholic and one Jewish)
- Each society is an independent, non-profit organization run by a board of directors elected from the local community
Children's aid societies:
- investigate reports or evidence of abuse or neglect of children under the age of 16 or in the society's care or supervision and, where necessary, take steps to protect the children
- care for and supervise children who come under their care or supervision
- counsel and support families for the protection of children or to prevent circumstances requiring the protection of children
- place children for adoption
You can find a list of the children's aid societies on the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies website.
Role of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services
The ministry:
- funds and monitors children's aid societies
- develops policy to support the child welfare program
- licenses children's group homes and foster homes
Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare
The Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare, announced on June 25, 2009, is working in partnership with children’s aid societies and the government to find the most efficient ways to improve outcomes for children and youth in care.
See:
- The minister's statement in response to the release of the first report and working papers of the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare, July 5, 2010
- Minister’s letter to Children’s Aid Society Board Chairs announcing the creation of the commission, June 25, 2009
- Minister’s letter to Children’s Aid Society Board Chairs and Executive Directors announcing the appointment of Commissioners, November 26, 2009
