The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is calling on all leaders, political parties, and local candidates to commit to five calls to action this provincial election.
In Ontario, there are 50 designated children’s aid societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies (child welfare agencies). Child welfare agencies are part of the network of community-based organizations and service providers that promote the health, well-being and safety of children, youth, and families across the province. They do not work alone. They work closely with organizations and service providers, as well as kin and alternate caregivers, in their communities to ensure families facing challenges get the right care, at the right time, close to home.
Last year, more than 125,000 calls and referrals were made to Ontario’s child welfare agencies. In 97% of investigations, children and youth remain at home while receiving services. Ontario’s child welfare system is under immense pressure. Overwhelming workloads, increasingly complicated cases, burnout among direct service staff, inadequate access to community-based care, and an outdated funding formula are just some of the challenges child welfare agencies are facing. Agencies are struggling to fill systemic gaps and tackle barriers to care in the broader social services sector – this is not sustainable. Now is the time for bold action and big ideas to transform Ontario’s child welfare system. OACAS and member agencies are calling on all political parties to:
- Strengthen social infrastructure, so children, youth, and families have timely, equitable access to integrated wraparound services, and treatment, close to home and in their community.
- Remove barriers to care and fully fund wraparound supports for children and youth presenting with complex needs, including access to specialized supports, services, and treatment.
- Increase financial assistance for kin and alternate caregivers, including family-based foster caregivers, to help keep up with the cost-of-living and inflationary pressures.
- Modernize the outdated funding formula for child welfare, so it focuses on early intervention, prevention, and connections to kin, culture, and community and responds to regional needs.
- Support youth who are transitioning to independence by permanently and fully funding the Ready, Set, Go program. Ensure youth in transition have robust resources close to home and in their community to address disparities in outcomes, such as reducing homelessness and unemployment.
Our calls to action are based on the OACAS 2025 Pre-Budget Submission, which was informed by member agencies and youth with lived experience. Click here to read our pre-budget submission in full.
