The Association of Native Child and Family Service Agencies of Ontario (ANCFSAO) and the OACAS began discussions regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together in a collaborative and coordinated partnership to improve outcomes for Indigenous children and families. This includes assisting to build capacity at ANCFSAO and Indigenous…
OACAS will host a gathering to apologize for and acknowledge the role the child welfare sector has played historically, and continues to play, in the lives of Ontario’s Indigenous children, families, and communities.
OACAS hosted its fifth annual summer Indigenous Youth-in-Care Gathering, this time at Geneva Park in Orillia. The three days again focused on providing Indigenous youth with the opportunity to connect with, and celebrate, their culture, language, and traditions.
The Ontario child welfare sector unanimously agreed to eight commitments to further the Reconciliation agenda. Children’s Aid Societies committed to: Reduce the number of Indigenous children in care Reduce the number of legal files Increase the use of formal customary care agreements Track and report the number of Indigenous local…
OACAS hosted the second Bringing Our Minds Together Think Tank for the group to reconnect and to present the findings of the Emerging Practices/Actions survey. At this event, participants agreed that the timing was right for an apology from the Ontario child welfare sector to Indigenous communities and families.
OACAS launched a revamped set of curriculum for Ontario’s child protection workers. The Child Welfare Pathway to Authorization Series is designed to be more responsive and better reflect the realities of child welfare work in Ontario using an anti-oppressive framework. It covers topic such as equity, human rights, and anti-racism,…
OACAS hosted an inaugural youth leadership gathering for older Indigenous youth. The winter camp focused on building leadership skills and facilitating a conversation about creating a provincial Indigenous youth advocacy council.
OACAS released Resource Information Overview: Emerging Practices in Child Welfare Sector to Support Indigenous Communities. This resulted from the Bringing Our Minds Together Think Tank and the Emerging Practice/Actions survey released in summer of 2016, where it was suggested that information be compiled to showcase what reconciliation practices were actually…
An Emerging Practices/Actions survey was designed to capture developments in the sector that may facilitate Reconciliation, as well as samples of Reconciliation best practices that could be shared across the sector.
OACAS hosted the fourth annual Indigenous Youth-in-Care Gathering at Bark Lake. Youth from across the province participated in three days of cultural workshops and activities focused on building community.
