For over 100 years, OACAS has been enhancing and promoting the welfare and well-being of children, youth and families in Ontario. OACAS works to create a highly effective system of services for children which has the confidence of Ontario families and communities. There are 50 Children’s Aid Societies (CASs) and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies in Ontario. The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is an association representing 48 member organizations. Of these, 47 are mandated CASs and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies and one is a pre-mandated Indigenous agency. On behalf of our membership, OACAS provides advocacy and government relations, public education, training, information and knowledge management, and event planning. OACAS is governed by a voluntary board of directors which works with the member agencies, communities and government to bring positive change to child welfare services.

Role In the System:

• We are a convener.
  We bring agencies and partners together around shared challenges and opportunities.
• We are a bridge.
  We translate sector realities into system-level dialogue and strengthen alignment between agencies and government.
• We advocate through relationship.
  We advance clear, evidence-informed solutions through trusted and constructive engagement, while remaining firm in our positions.
• We are an advisor.
  We influence through relationships and credibility, reducing duplication and lightening the lift for members wherever possible.