Message from the Executive Director
By Jeanette Lewis

Over the past few months, OACAS has taken strong advocacy positions on several issues including funding for member agencies, providing the Ontario Child Benefit to children in care, making public adoption available at no cost to Ontarians and implementing the Transformation Agenda. OACAS has also engaged Ontarians in advocating for the well being, safety, health and education of Ontario’s children, especially our most vulnerable children and youth. The Speak Up campaign in the spring encouraged Ontarians to speak up and work together to give all children the best opportunities to reach their full potential.

On June 27, OACAS applauded the Ontario Government's announcement of new funding of $11.5 million in 2008/09, growing to $16.2 million in 20011/12, for children and youth in care to participate in learning and recreational programs to build the skills and confidence they need to achieve their full potential when they leave care. The Government announced funding equivalent to the maximum Ontario Child Benefit payment for each child and youth in care for learning, tutoring, skills building and recreational programs based on their individual needs. In addition, Children’s Aid Societies will be opening savings accounts to accrue amounts up to $3,300 for youth in care aged 15 to 17 to access when they leave care. This initiative will provide needed enrichment opportunities and investment options for youth in care.

At the OACAS/CMHO Joint Conference on June 4, the Youth Policy Advisory and Advocacy Group (YPAAG), representing approximately 160 youth at the conference, gave detailed recommendations on how to better prepare and support youth in care for success in life. YPAAG shared their recommendations for financial and educational supports and raising the age of eligibility while emphasizing the need for emotional support. Youth asked, “Who would you call?” to remind child welfare professionals, researchers and foster parents that youth in care rely on their local agency for emotional support.

OACAS has a refreshed logo. With a softer edge and an additional shadow, the logo has evolved to symbolize the child, protected by a parent and supported by the community. All publications, including The Journal, are being revised with the new look and will be available in electronic, web-friendly formats. The e-versions of the Journal will be available this summer on www.oacas.org.

The summer edition of The Journal features articles about the research and practice of programs and projects to improve and promote the safety, protection and well being of Ontario’s children, including translating research into practice, studying the incidence of child abuse in Ontario, exploring best practices in web-based education, maintaining stable environments at school for children in care, supervising stress management and providing opportunities for young people living in group care to develop resilience. These articles showcase the research projects and initiatives in practice that improve the lives of all Ontario’s children.

Jeanette Lewis
Executive Director