Child Abuse Prevention Month is Only Weeks Away!
The month is a great opportunity to raise awareness about the role of the community in protecting children. On October 1st, wear a purple ribbon to show you care. Click here to find out how you can get involved. Click here to learn more about the signs of abuse.
Practice Safe Sleeping Arrangements
Last year, 38 infant deaths reviewed by the Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC) were attributed to unsafe sleeping arrangements, which included bed-sharing, crowded cribs and improper sleep surfaces. Of these infant deaths, 24 involved bed-sharing with an adult or another child and 14 involved unsafe sleep surfaces. Thirty-seven involved infants five months of age or younger. Click here to learn about safe sleeping arrangements.
Association asks Government of Canada to reconsider replacing mandatory census long-term
OACAS joins many government, community and business groups across Canada in requesting that the Ministry of Industry reconsider their decision to replace the mandatory census long-form with a voluntary National Household Survey.
The information gathered by the census long-form is critical in understanding Canadians and their needs. It helps community organizations properly target scarce resources and develop services for children, youth and families. This leads to safer communities, a stronger economy, and improved outcomes for all Canadians.
OACAS’ concerns are that data will become biased and results will not be valid if the survey is voluntary. The new data will not be comparable to previous years’ information, which limits forecasting. Ontario’s community agencies may not be able to use historical trends to develop services and programs for their communities’ future needs. Without access to the data provided in the census long-form, the ability to target resources to the communities in the greatest need will be reduced.
Click here to read more about why census information matters.
Ontario's child welfare association appoints new executive director
Following the retirement of Jeanette Lewis in June, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) today announces the appointment of Mary Ballantyne as Executive Director of the provincial child welfare association. With over 24 years experience in child welfare, Ms. Ballantyne has contributed significantly to the field in a leadership and management role.
OACAS continues to advocate for youth in care
The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies continues to focus on the needs of youth in care.
In support of the 'Not so Easy to Navigate' report by the Laidlaw Foundation, OACAS' advocacy efforts were featured in three recent Toronto Star articles. Alicia Venditti and Adam Diamond, OACAS Youth Coordinators, were interviewed in Youth in state care need RESPs; OACAS Director of Social Policy, Virginia Rowden, wrote an op-ed piece entitled Hazardous passage for at-risk youth; and the Toronto Star published the editorial, A better idea for foster kids, which supported the recommendations of the OACAS and Laidlaw report.
OACAS releases Child Welfare Report "Your Children's Aid" - More needs to be done
The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) released a report on the well-being of children in care. Priorities for change and ideas about what more needs to be done have been identified in the three areas of services: Aboriginal children and families, adoption and youth growing up in care.
The protection and well-being of children is everyone’s business, so Ontarians must be aware of what children and youth need to achieve better outcomes. Ontarians should also know they play an active role in protecting and caring for children by: reporting child abuse and neglect; becoming foster and adoptive parents; and being advocates for change and supporting the recommendations in this report.
Read the report and recommendations. Read the French version of the report.
