The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society is a child protection agency mandated under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 in Ontario. Our responsibility is to protect children from harm or the risk of harm due to neglect and physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) across the province of Ontario, also known as Family and Children’s Services (F&CS), are independent agencies working in local communities to provide help and support to children and their families. Established under the authority of The Child and Family Services Act, children’s aid societies are a non-profit corporation governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected from within the community. Board members have a specific interest in the welfare of children and offer individual skills to assist in the governance of the agency. Programs and services are developed in response to the needs of children and families in the local community.
The field of child welfare is focused on improving the health, well-being, education and safety of children and youth. Children’s Aid Societies work with service partners and the community to ensure the safety, well-being and stability of children and youth. Community partners such as hospitals, schools, community service agencies and police services work together with Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies to prevent abuse and neglect, provide opportunities for early help, improve child safety, maintain children’s health and wellness and support and strengthen families to better care for children.
When Should I Call a Children’s Aid Society?
At the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society we believe that the best way to deal with child maltreatment is to prevent it. A person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is, or may be, in need of protection must make the report directly to a Children’s Aid Society and professionals who work with children who suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect must report these suspicions to the CAS; failure to do so could subject that person to a fine.
Families can also self-refer to a children’s aid society. If you are concerned about the welfare or well-being of your child, you can call the Society at any time.
When should you call CAS?
Anytime you suspect abuse or neglect a phone call to a children’s aid society will bring help to a child potentially at risk. It is not your responsibility to determine whether abuse or neglect has occurred. Each Society is responsible for the investigation and the assessment of abuse and neglect of children and also the ultimate management of a case when a child is taken into care.
