The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) has provided its annual pre-budget submission to the Ministry of Finance. We are asking Ontario to make the needed systemic changes and financial investments in communities so children, youth, and families across the province have access to the supports and services they need to thrive and stay together.
In the OACAS 2023 Pre-Budget Submission: One Community of Care, we identify four critical areas for action and detail specific recommendations that center children, youth, families, and their communities. As a collective, OACAS calls upon Ontario to:
- Take a cross-ministerial approach to the implementation of the child welfare redesign strategy and ensure the strategy is successful by investing in social infrastructure that delivers integrated, localized, and culturally safe supports and services to children, youth, and families.
- Invest in community-based supports that promote mental health and well-being alongside specialized mental health services so all children and youth have access to timely, quality care, including those with complex needs.
- Enhance services and supports to older youth and youth transitioning out of care.
- Develop a funding formula that prioritizes prevention, the advancement of reconciliation and equity, and improving outcomes.
Many intersecting service systems have a responsibility to the safety and well-being of children, youth, and families across the province. OACAS remains committed to advancing systems-level thinking to bring positive change to the child welfare system and broader systems serving children, youth, and families. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the province to improve outcomes for all children, youth, and families.
To read our submission in full, click here.
