Strong voices needed to advocate for the well-being of all Ontario's children

OACAS and its member agencies are concerned that the Annual Report of the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, 90 Deaths Ninety Voices Silenced, is misleading, creates confusion and potentially undermines the statutory roles that Children’s Aid Societies play in protecting children and supporting families. Read the OACAS response to the report in the Letter to the Editor of the Toronto Star.

It is important to clarify the facts in the Advocate’s report:
In 2007, 90 deaths of children were reported by Children’s Aid Societies to the Pediatric Death Review Committee (PDRC).

14 were not recommended for review because the cause of death was due to natural causes
36 cases did not receive detailed reviews because the CAS first became involved at the time of the child’s death
40 deaths have been sent to the PDRC for future full reviews

In 2007, the PDRC completed reviews of the deaths of 37 children.

Of the 37 deaths, 4 were children in care and none were deemed to be preventable.

All professionals, agencies and policy makers must work together to prevent children from dying and, in tragic cases where death occurs, to change practices so that other deaths can be prevented. Strong voices to advocate for the well-being of all Ontario’s children are needed.

OACAS and its members continue to support the role of the Advocate in helping to advance systemic changes in the broader system of services to children and youth and commit to working collaboratively with the Advocate. By using the right information for the right purposes, all professionals, agencies and policy makers can ensure children and youth are safe, healthy and thriving.