At CAS of Toronto we are very much committed to addressing racism and discrimination. Recently our Board approved a policy that aims to provide equity for all who work here and to ensure our services are delivered within a framework of anti-oppression and anti-racism. Read our policy.
Re: The state is a bad parent. Does child welfare make criminals?
The most recent aggregate provincial data shows that 15% of Crown wards under CAS’ care in Ontario were charged under the Young Offender Act, now the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This is not the overwhelming majority as some critics report.
Young people come to us with an array of difficult experiences. The scars left by the trauma of abuse go well beyond skin deep and unspeakable acts leave indelible impressions at the most vulnerable time in human development. There are ways to help. (more…)
A new report by Ontario Campaign 2000 finds that Ontario’s child poverty rate has been inching up since 2001 and is now at 17.4%. Based on the latest Statistics Canada data, the 2006 Report Card on Child Poverty in Ontario states that 478,480 children – one in every six children – in Ontario are living in poverty. The average low income family is living in deeper poverty now than they were twelve years ago. Click here to read the news release.
Fast Fact: 63% of the children we help live at or below the poverty line.
Recently, there have been media reports on the high number of youth in care who “cross over” to the youth criminal justice system. Here are some of the facts about our youth:
Matthew Newlove has not lived the easiest of lives. When he was just ten years old, Newlove and his sister were removed from their parents care. “It came down to the fact that they could no longer provide the care that my sister and I needed,” says Newlove. (more…)
Read our latest progress report. Board Update: Mid Year Report 2006 to 2007 It covers trends, challenges and accomplishments. For example, did you know that the average age of children living in our care is increasing? Read on.
Social work tools and construction tools don’t usually go together, but in this case they made all the difference for one child.
Recently a child from our day treatment program was having a lot of trouble with school. He was frequently away from school and when he did attend he was often sent home. The classroom environment was acting as an emotional trigger as starting school had coincided with him losing his mother and other significant losses. We believe that his thought process was, “if I go to school my Mom dies, if I go to school my Dad will die.” (more…)