Every October, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and children’s aid societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies (child welfare agencies) across the province raise awareness about the important role individuals and communities play in supporting children, youth, and families facing challenges through the Dress Purple Day campaign. The campaign also aims to highlight supports and services available in communities across Ontario.
On the last Friday of October, OACAS and its members wear purple alongside partners in government, community-based organizations, service providers, direct service staff, and individuals to show children, youth, and families facing challenges that they are not alone. Dress Purple Day 2024 will take place on Friday, October 25.
“This year, we are also wearing purple to send a message to the Ontario government that far too many children, youth, and families across the province are struggling to access the community-based care essential to their health and well-being,” said Solomon Owoo, CEO, OACAS. “The province has to step up and ensure children, youth, and families have timely access to the right care, at the right time, close to home.”
OACAS and provincial partners sent an open letter to Premier Doug Ford, calling on the Ontario government to take immediate action to ensure community-based organizations and service providers across the province have adequate resources to truly respond to the needs of children, youth, and families.
The open letter has been signed by organizations dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families across the province. They include municipalities and non-profits, as well as organizations in child welfare, immigration and refugee services, integrated youth services, mental health care, community health, child development and rehabilitation, child and family services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, hunger relief, housing, and social work.
Click here to read our open letter.
Children, youth, and families should have timely access to high-quality, trauma-informed supports and services that are inclusive and identity-affirming. But this is not the reality for many. Community-based organizations and service providers delivering critical supports and programming have become increasingly scant, siloed, and splintered.
“Systemic gaps and barriers to care are felt in different ways,” continued Solomon Owoo. “We know that the inadequate access to care is acutely felt by Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomers and refugees, and 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth, and families. Weak social infrastructure is only exacerbated by location. Those living in Northern, rural, remote communities face significant challenges accessing supports, services, and treatment close to home. Plus, children, youth, and families presenting with complex needs face their own unique challenges in accessing highly intensive, specialized care.”
In a period of heightened economic vulnerability and a human resources shortage, community-based organizations and service providers are cutting back programs and services to cope, wait lists are growing, and the number of closures is climbing. The government of Ontario cannot ignore these warning signs.
Working towards integrated systems of care that truly wrap around children, youth, and families that promote their health and well-being when they need it most is a responsibility that cuts across all levels of government, ministries, and provincial partners, as well as community-based organizations and service providers. Together, we can transform our systems of care. Children, youth, and families cannot wait.
To learn more about the Dress Purple Day campaign and how you can get involved in championing the needs of children, youth, and families across Ontario, visit our webpage at oacas.org/dresspurpleday.
