May 4th to May 10th marks Child and Youth Counsellor week in Ontario. Child and Youth Workers play an essential and pivotal role in the lives of children, youth and families that receive services from the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. (more…)
May 4th to May 10th marks Child and Youth Counsellor week in Ontario. Child and Youth Workers play an essential and pivotal role in the lives of children, youth and families that receive services from the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. (more…)
Each November 20th since 1993, Canada has recognized and celebrated National Child Day. Inspired by two historic events, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (November 20 1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (November 20, 1989), National Child Day was developed to celebrate children, just for being themselves.
An important part of our Agency’s mission is to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect, to advocate for their rights and to help expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Although our Agency has been doing this important work for over 100 years - we are to an extent guided, assisted and endorsed by the provisions and principles of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. (more…)
Here is the board meeting aenda for the upcoming meeting on Thursday, November 19.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday November 19, 2009
Board Room – 30 Isabella Street
5:30 p.m.
A G E N D A (more…)
Child Abuse isn’t always obvious…learn the subtle signs at
Nobody’s Perfect…Help is Here!
Click here to find out more about our FREE Parenting Workshop on October 27th.
CAS of Toronto would like to recognize and thank all of its volunteers during National Volunteer Week (April 19-25, 2009). Volunteers play an essential role in helping us reach our vision of, “Leading with excellence and working in partnership, we will create a city where children are safe, families are strong and communities are supported.”
Thanks to each and every one of our volunteers for their time, dedication and efforts in improving the lives of the families, youth and children that we serve. We look forward to celebrating our volunteers at our Volunteer Recognition Event on Saturday, April 25.
We recognize all our Volunteers and honour our first and third year volunteers with the theme, ‘Celebrating our Diversity’. Come experience food and music from around the world.
Special guest: Gary Diggins, internationally known musician, songwriter and sound therapist.
Inside Queen’s Park is the premier insider newsletter on Ontario government and politics. The lead article in the March 4, 2009 edition was a review of the report from the Office of Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth entitled, 90 Deaths: Ninety Voices Silenced. That review is posted below.
CUTTING EDGE: UNLEASHING MORAL PANIC
Ombudsman André Marin’s steady flow of systemic reports are strongly worded and cleverly packaged for maximum media impact. His detractors in government seethe unhappily when Marin unleashes yet another punishing expose, but they’ve learned that his assertions are factual and numbers cannot be dismissed. Marin is bullet-proof because he’s seen as very tough but fair. Children’s Advocate Irwin Elman took one leaf from Marin’s book, getting headline coverage for 90 Deaths Ninety Voices Silenced – his luridly-titled first annual report, tabled Feb. 23. But far from presenting an Ombudsman-style unimpeachable case, Elman misrepresented key facts and made assertions that were flat-out untrue respecting central issues. IQP can’t recall any formal report with comparable deficiencies from an Officer of the Legislature.
Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Annual Report
On Tuesday February 24, 2009 David Rivard, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto was mentioned in a Toronto Star article regarding their story from the previous day, on a report from the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, entitled 90 Deaths: Ninety Voices Silenced. The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth serves youth in provincial care through individual, systemic and policy advocacy. In the article, Mr. Rivard stressed the fact that there is no need for a parallel review process of child deaths. During the conversation with the reporter Mr. Rivard also mentioned that confidentiality and privacy issues would need to be addressed before any information could be transferred to the Provincial Advocate’s office and that there already is a process in place through the Coroner’s Office to review child deaths in Ontario. Unfortunately the article did not reflect these comments. Privacy and confidentiality matters are amongst the guiding principles and of the utmost concern to all CAS’s, and any inference that case files would be turned over to any office without the strictest regime of attention being applied to client and staff privacy concerns is not in keeping with this approach.
As Ontario celebrates the second annual Family Day, everyone is reminded that vulnerable families and children affected by the current economic crisis, high levels of unemployment and increased welfare rates will need community services and supports.
Board President Lisa Lifshitz, on CBC radio February 13th, discusses the Board’s current recruiting drive.
On February 4, David Rivard joined Minister of Children and Youth Services, Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Education, Hon. Kathleen Wynne along with Ontario Human Rights Chief Commissioner, Barbara Hall at a public event celebrating the Family Day campaign.
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has created a video in tribute of Family Day and this campaign, which features several families including one of our adoptive families.
CAS of Toronto Celebrates ALL FAMILIES…join us in acknowledging Family Day in Canada on February 16, 2009. Our definition of family includes anyone with a meaningful relationship to a child either through blood ties, community or culture. Click here to see our poster.
Family Service Toronto presents the Family Day On-line Gallery. Submit your photos by clicking on the image below.
Executive Director, David Rivard, on CBC radio January 20th gives a one year update.
Greater Trouble in Greater Toronto: Child Poverty it the GTA Media Conference
The Children’s Aid Society’s in the GTA and the Social Planning Network are community partners in Campaign 2000, a non-partisan, cross-Canada network of community, provincial, and national organizations committed to working together to end child and family poverty in Canada.
”The time to act is now. More children and families are living in poverty in the GTA than ever before,” said David Rivard, Executive Director, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. “It has been nineteen years since Campaign 2000 provided the government with realistic strategies to end child poverty. At our Agency, almost two thirds of our clients live at or below the poverty line, the children and families of Toronto cannot wait any longer.
Find out what the other participants had to say by watching the video highlights.
Video 1 - Media Conference Highlights features:
David Rivard, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Paul Zarnke, Peel Children’s Aid Society
Tracey Vaughn, Community Development Council of Durham
Shantel Smith, Former Youth in Care
Click here to access the video
Video 2 - Media Conference Panel Discussion Highlights features:
Patrick Lake, York Region Children’s Aid Society
Wanda Secord, Durham Children’s Aid Society
Mary McConville, Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Nancy MacGillivray, Halton Children’s Aid Society
CAS’s Urge Province to Direct New $19 Million Fund to Provide Access to Affordable Housing, Increased Monthly Allowances, and Extended Eligibility for CAS Support for Crown Wards
TORONTO, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Toronto Children’s Aid Societies today expressed support for the Government of Ontario’s child poverty reduction measures, and in particular, $19 million in annual funding to assist crown wards transitioning to independence. (more…)
On National Child Day, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and the CAS of Toronto remind Ontarians to make our most vulnerable children and families a priority.
Many children and youth are denied the basics of a safe home, adequate food and clothing, necessary community supports and opportunities to develop.
We are always looking for safe, loving families for children and youth in our care.
People from diverse cultural backgrounds, single people or same-sex couples are encouraged to consider adoption. As well, people with the capacity to adopt children with special needs, sibling groups or older children are needed.
The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) has just issued the following release: Many Children and Youth Awaiting Adoptive Parents in Ontario…click here to access.
Veteran child psychiatrist, Dr. Jim Wilkes, was recognized today for his significant contribution to protecting children and youth from abuse and neglect. The sixth annual Stand Up for Kids Award, sponsored by the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAS of Toronto), Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS), Jewish Family and Child Service, and Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, was presented to Dr. Wilkes today by the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services, as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The award was presented today at Queen’s Park in Committee, Room 230 at 12:30 p.m. (more…)
Foster Family Week runs from October 19 to 26, 2008. This week honours foster parents who play an essential and irreplaceable role in caring for children. Thank you for all that you do for our children and youth. We are always in need of more foster homes, particularly for infants and toddlers, youth 12 to 16 years and children with special needs.
Click here to read the press release from the OACAS (Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies)
October 1, 2008 (TORONTO, ON) – In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Toronto Mayor David Miller will use his voice today in support of the city’s four Children’s Aid Societies to launch the 3rd Annual Use Your Voice Challenge at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. Designed to encourage the community to report instances of child abuse and neglect, the Use Your Voice Challenge will feature local media personalities and government officials.
Educating the public about child abuse and neglect
Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies continue to educate the public about everyone’s responsibility to protect children by reporting suspected child abuse as 27,000 children suffered some form of abuse or neglect last year. During the Child Abuse Prevention Campaign in October, the public is reminded that “kids shouldn’t have to live with abuse” because everyone has a responsibility to act when they see or hear that a child is suffering from abuse or neglect. Call 416-924-4646 to talk with a clinically-trained child protection worker if you have concerns about a child’s safety. Learn more about child abuse, neglect, recognizing it and what happens when you call us at useyourvoice.ca.
To view and download the campaign image which will be found in newspapers, magazines, outdoor, digital, radio and TTC advertisments, along with advertisments placed in selected helathcare waiting rooms click on the link below:
In addition, Public Service Announcement (PSA) will be broadcasted on two Toronto radio stations starting today.
On Tuesday, September 9 CAS of Toronto honoured FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) day. This day is recognized around the world to bring awareness and greater understanding of the importance of FASD as a public health issue in terms of both prevention of the birth of children prenatally exposed to alcohol and treatment for individuals living with an FASD and their families. FASD is the term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and or learning disabilities. FASD is preventable.
Start with a dream.
Maybe a dream that is personal and small,
but worth doing.
Then dream a bigger dream.
Keep dreaming until your dreams seem
impossible to achieve.
Then you’ll know you’re on the right track.
Then you’ll know you’re ready to conjure up a dream
big enough to define your future,
and perhaps your generation’s future.
Vance Coffman
These words shared by David Rivard, Executive Director, at our annual Youth Recognition night were followed by David saying, “There is a bumper sticker in my office that reads, ‘You will always be Mom and Dad.’ These stickers were given out by youth in care at a joint Children’s Aid Society and Children’s Mental Health conference a couple of years ago. I keep the sticker in my office as a daily reminder that our commitment to providing support to young people such as you, should not end at age 21.”
Last night’s Youth Recognition Night at the Delta Chelsea Hotel was a special celebration, a chance to recognize our youth leaving care and all that they have accomplished. For the 50 youth present last night it was a chance to say thanks to their support system, which for many young people is their foster family and worker. (more…)
To join us in speaking up for all of Ontario’s children, click on the picture above.
So many worthy causes, so many passionate defenders, so many voices fighting to be heard. But increasingly lost in the din is one voice, small yet vital. The voice of Ontario’s children. All of them. (more…)
We have more than 740 volunteers who help make the lives of children, youth and families better through their contributions as Special Friends, Toy Room volunteers and Board Members. They are part of of the more than 1.2 million volunteers in Canada who donate their time, energy, skills and expertise to better the lives of people, communities and our country.
We are very proud of our volunteers and thank them for their contribution. They are a source of inspiration for us all.
In the event of a TTC strike this weekend it is likely that drives with CTC may be delayed. We will let you know about the impact on the CTC program in the event of a strike by updating here.
The grounding of the Children’s Transportation Centre (CTC) vehicles is lifted as of 10 am on February 7, 2008.
More than 80 individuals or families have now come forward saying they would like to adopt little Angelica-Leslie. We are having difficulty responding to calls in a timely way due to this huge outpouring of care. At this time, we can no longer take applicants for this little girl; however there are a number of other children waiting for nurturing parents to care for them. (more…)
Why Black History Month, sometimes referred to as African Heritage Month, and what does it have to do with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto?
The month of February provides an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the positive and significant aspects of Black History and Culture. It gives us a chance to attempt to dispel the negative myths and stereotypes related to the “Black” race. Also, it is a time to raise some ugly realities of the history of our development, namely bondage and slavery.