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| March 2009 | |||
In This Issue The March edition of The Voice, OACAS’ electronic newsletter, features articles on:
To view this email as a web page, click here. |
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Strong voices needed to advocate for the well-being of all Ontario's children
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Recognizing social workers in child protection
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Providing services to Franco-Ontarians During Francophonie Week, March 16-22, OACAS acknowledges the 7 member agencies designated by Cabinet, through regulation, and the 23 agencies located in Francophone communities for providing services to Franco-Ontarians in the language of their choice. Read more about OACAS Recommendations to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. |
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It’s About Time: Rethinking our system of care for youth
We need to rebuild the "system of care." Presently it prepares youth for “independence” and creates uncertainty, anxiety, and a pattern of relationships that end. It is possible to move to a practice of finding permanent families for youth. This could include treating long-term foster care as a permanency option for children and youth who are unlikely be adopted. It could be legal guardianship, long-term connections with kin or mentors, or adoption for older teens, even after Crown wardship ends. This requires a change in philosophy and eliminating “programming detachment." Let’s focus on the "caring." |
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Safety tips for parents during March Break
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Education Services for child welfare agencies and staff
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OACAS and its member agencies are concerned that the Annual Report of the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, 
In recognition of National Social Work Month, the Ontario Association of Social Workers salutes Ontario social workers in child welfare. We commend your tireless efforts to protect and improve the safety and well-being of at-risk children and youth, and the critical role you play in supporting vulnerable families in difficult times. 
Ontario’s Francophone agencies continue to face numerous challenges in delivering services to their clients due to inadequate funding. Offering services in Canada’s two official languages entails higher costs in delivering essential services, providing specialized services and finding residential services. OACAS continues to advocate on behalf of those member agencies and the communities they serve for sufficient funding to provide services as mandated by the Child and Family Services Act and the French Language Service Act.
Youth in care have been advocating for changes for over 20 years, pleading – "treat us as you would your own kids" and "do what a good parent would do!" Over the past few years, many CASs have listened and have made changes to financial support and government and CASs have invested more in post-secondary support. Emotional support and "aging out of care" are still the biggest issues. The solution is not about planning a better system for discharge, it’s about providing the best support possible to grow up. 
During March Break, when planning to leave a child under the age of 16 unattended or with a babysitter, parents should consider the child’s age and maturity, safety risks in the home and neighbourhood, and emergency measures for their child. Careful consideration of a parent’s decision for older children to be unsupervised at home must include a safety plan so children know what to do in an emergency, who they can call and how to answer the door or telephone. Some safety tips:
Providing an efficient and unique model of the child protection training program for child protection workers at mandated child welfare agencies across Ontario is a service of OACAS. Education Services has a unique program for learners who receive the necessary knowledge, develop the competencies and leave with the tools to perform the core responsibilities of a child welfare professional, manager or resource family in Ontario. The purposeful teaching approach equips learners with the tools to make critical decisions about child safety while simultaneously working alongside families towards better outcomes for children. 
The best source of information on child welfare research and practice is the OACAS Journal. Published quarterly, the Journal welcomes articles from researchers, universities, institutes and child welfare agencies. Articles on programs, projects and initiatives to improve the lives of youth in care and Crown wards are welcomed for the Spring edition by April 15, 2009. The Journal--print and electronic--is distributed to 4,300 readers including child welfare practitioners, researchers, foster parents, volunteers, government representatives, community partners and the media. 
