like branches on a tree, reports/yrcas_annualreport-2017-18.pdf · directions, but our roots remain...

NANCY FRENCHCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BARB GRAYCHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LIKE BRANCHES ON A TREE, we all grow in different directions, but our roots remain as one.

As human beings, our roots are a crucial part of our identity, giving us a sense of belonging that anchors us to our past, present, and future. Our roots are made up of our families, friends, communities, traditions, and heritage. Remaining connected to these is vital to our overall wellbeing.

We recognize that a child’s roots uniquely shape their voice and their individual needs. This is why we commit to engaging the people and communities a child knows and loves in order to provide services in the best interest of that child.

With this as our commitment, we welcomed the long-awaited Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), which came into effect April 30, 2018. The act echoes our service philosophy of ensuring services to children and youth are respectful of their identity, gender, race, culture, and heritage. Furthermore, the act commits the child welfare sector to the Truth and Reconciliation journey by ensuring Indigenous children and youth’s roots are respected and remain intact. The CYFSA also includes extended supports to assist youth with the successful transition to adulthood and independence. These are just some of the positive changes that are now legislated in the CYFSA to support children and youth.

ANNUAL REPORT • 3ANNUAL REPORT • 3

BARB GRAYCHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NANCY FRENCHCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Barb Gray CHAIR

Richard Kinch VICE CHAIR

Belal Taha SECRETARY

Tim Flemming TREASURER

Susan Bird

Kar-Woon Choy

Bob Ebrahimzadeh

Ascenzio Farina

Cindy Laidlaw

Michael McKenzie

Jill Moore

John Rogers

Zahid Salman

Tahir Shafiq

Jennifer Shelton

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A special thank you to staffLike the branches of a tree, each of you provide the necessary strength and balance to keep our agency rooted in the communities we serve.

Thank you for bringing your unique perspectives, skills, and expertise to the work you do every day to support children, youth, and families.

It is an honour to work alongside you.

— NANCY

WE COMMIT TO RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE UNIQUE AND DIVERSE ROOTS OF THE CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES LIVING IN YORK REGION.

We continue to work alongside and learn from our local communities through established traditions, such as our annual Iftar Ramadan community dinner, and through new traditions, such as standing with Indigenous communities to address missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls at the Sisters in Spirit vigil.

The CYFSA also reinforces our existing commitment to protect children and youth exposed to human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Sex trafficking is a complex issue, and children, youth, and families who are impacted require specialized attention. Children as young as 14 are targeted for exploitation. Our agency’s shared protocol with York Regional Police’s Special Victims Unit Human Trafficking Team helps identify and protect children and youth. Our employees have been trained to identify warning signs of sex trafficking and to educate and support youth and their families. We continue our work with York University to create evidence-informed services and supports to meet the specific needs of survivors and their families and to help protect at-risk youth.

We are privileged to be on this journey with our many skilled and knowledgeable community partners, who we are grateful to work alongside each day. Our community partners connect children, youth, and families to assistance, support, and resources needed to ensure their wellbeing.

As we continue on this path to change, we look forward with hope of evolving as an agency, and a community member. Thank you to our exceptional staff, resource families, volunteers, and board members: you are each an instrumental part of our service team. We appreciate your diligent work to deliver on our mission of thriving children, resilient families, and caring communities.

4 • 17/18 YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY

OUR AGENCY IS HONOURED TO STAND ALONGSIDE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ONGOING RECONCILIATION PROCESS.

OUR COMMITMENTto Reconciliation

DNAAGDAWENMAG BINNOOJIIYAG CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICESWe are honoured to work alongside Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services on their journey to the restoration of the child welfare mandate to serve all Indigenous families in south central Ontario. Founded in 1998, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services is a multi-service Indigenous wellbeing agency that provides a stable foundation for children, youth, and families through wraparound services that are culturally-based and family-focused. Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services delivers services to eight First Nation communities, seeking to support families in the way they deserve, with care and authenticity, and by recognizing and respecting spirit. The trailblazing work of Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services is clearing a path for inspiring, ground-breaking work that helps, heals, and changes lives.

SISTERS IN SPIRIT VIGILThe Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, in partnership with York Region Children’s Aid Society, hosted a Sisters in Spirit Vigil in Vaughan to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The death and disappearance of Indigenous women and girls is a devastating loss that is felt in every Indigenous community across Canada. Children are left without sisters, mothers, aunties, and grandmothers. Parents cannot heal without answers about what happened to their children. Communities are deprived of the knowledge, wisdom, and spirit of these cherished individuals.

LEFT TO RIGHT:

Nancy French, CEO of York Region Children’s Aid Society; Elder Shelley Charles, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation; Dawn Sillaby-Smith; Caitlyn Kasper, Lawyer for Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto.

ANNUAL REPORT • 5

OUR COMMITMENTto Change

We continue to work to address the over representation of Black children in care within the child welfare sector by implementing recommendations from the province-wide One Vision One Voice project. For example, in February, we launched a recruitment campaign for Black mentors and foster parents as a part of our ongoing commitment to keep children and youth connected to their cultural identity and rooted in their communities. We continue to collaborate with York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities, who received a grant through the province’s Black Youth Action Plan that will be used to develop a mentoring and life skills program for Black youth.

York Region Children’s Aid Society is a proud ally of LGBTQ2S+ communities.

We recognize the importance of inclusivity and are working to build greater solidarity in support of human rights for all.

Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression are integral to individual identity, and we acknowledge the need to create safe and positive spaces for those who identify as non-heterosexual, transgender, and non-gender conforming. We are taking positive steps to ensure that our services are safe, open, inclusive, affirming, and positive for LGBTQ2S+ children and youth served by our agency, as well as for LGBTQ2S+ employees, volunteers, resource parents, and our wider community.

Mark and Nicole, Foster Parents

ONE VISION ONE VOICE


From the first time Rob and Dave saw a photo of Owen, they knew they were looking at their son. After they heard more about Owen from their Adoption worker, they declared their desire to adopt him.

Rob and Dave had family experience with autism, and were not discouraged by Owen’s diagnosis. They have lovingly embraced their son for the unique individual he is.

OWEN’S FATHERS HAVE ALSO WELCOMED OPENNESS WITH HIS BIRTH FAMILY, AND OWEN VISITS WITH THEM TWICE A YEAR.

To learn more about adoption: www.yorkcas.org/adoption.asp

OUR STAFF WORK TO ENGAGE THE PEOPLE IN A CHILD’S CIRCLE OF LOVE WHEN EXTRA SUPPORT IS NEEDED.

When a family experienced crisis after the unexpected death of the father, the youngest child struggled with violent, angry outbursts. Mom was very concerned about her child and contacted our agency for guidance and support.

Our Intake and Assessment worker connected Mom to children’s mental health supports, while our Kin and Family Finder worked with her to map the family’s strengths and a network

of family and friends to ask for support. Discussions focused on the child’s need to stay connected to family and friends during this difficult time of grieving and healing. The late father’s best friend proposed a temporary living arrangement, and the child remained connected to his mom and sibling while the family engaged in grief counseling.

We recognize and appreciate the ongoing love and support of our 65 dedicated kinship service families.

To learn more about kinship: www.yorkcas.org/kinQA.asp

LEFT TO RIGHT:

Jennifer, Kin and Family Finder and Karen, Intake and Assessment Worker, work together to provide

wraparound services to children, youth,

and families.

KINSHIPSUPPORTING FAMILIES DURING CRISIS

ADOPTION

ANNUAL REPORT • 7

LEFT TO RIGHT: Nadine, Foster Care Support Worker, supports Mary in her role as a foster parent.

“THE NAME ROSES FROM CONCRETE CAME FROM MY BELIEF THAT OFTEN TIMES BEAUTIFUL THINGS COME FROM DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.”—TASH

Finding and maintaining supportive lifelong family connections for children is an integral part of our work. When the young child living in Mary’s home was able to be adopted by the child’s aunt, Mary wanted to ensure the best transition possible for the child. Mary invited the child’s aunt to stay in her home for a week, to give the child and the aunt time to become acquainted. This time together helped the child get to know and connect with her aunt, which helped the child flourish in her new home with her family.

“I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT,” MARY SAID OF THE WEEK-LONG TRANSITION VISIT.

York Region Children’s Aid Society recognizes and appreciates the ongoing love and support of our 117 dedicated foster families.

To learn more about fostering: www.fosteringatyork.com

FOSTERINGFOSTER PARENT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND

“I SO APPRECIATED THE HELP AND ASSISTANCE I RECEIVED FROM CHILDREN’S AID THAT WHEN I CAME OF AGE, I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING TO TRY AND SUPPORT OTHERS,” SAYS TASH.

“I created Roses from Concrete, an empowerment group for young women who are facing challenges, to try to be a light along their journey,” explains Tash. “Roses from Concrete engages young women in one-on-one mentoring, group discussions, and planned activities to help build friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.”

“People always told me I’m a born leader, and that everything I went through at a young age was not for me; it was to help others,” shares Tash. “Now I’m seeing that begin to manifest with Roses from Concrete.”

York Region Children’s Aid Society is proud of the personal and academic achievements of current and former children and youth in care. These bright and capable individuals continue to thrive, succeed, and inspire us!

YOUTH EMPOWERING YOUTH


33%POLICE

16%OTHER CAS

7%DOCTOR/HOSPITAL

3%SOCIAL

SERVICES

2%COURT SYSTEM

2%ANONYMOUSLY

2%INTERNAL STAFF

21%SCHOOLS

8%SELF4%

COMMUNITYMEMBER

HOW FAMILIES ARE REFERRED TO OUR AGENCY

REASONS CHILDREN COME INTO CARE OF OUR AGENCY

CAREGIVER CAPACITY

CAREGIVER—CHILD CONFLICT/CHILD BEHAVIOUR

ORPHANED/ABANDONED

PHYSICAL FORCE/MALTREATMENT

INADEQUATE SUPERVISION

CHILD EXPOSURE TO PARTNER VIOLENCE

NEGLECT OF CHILD’S BASIC NEEDS

CHILD EXPOSURE TO ADULT CONFLICT

CAREGIVER INABILITY TO PROTECT

48%

12%

9%

8%

6%

3%

3%

3%

2%

Our goal, first and foremost, is to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.

In approximately 97% of the situations we investigate, the children involved remain in their homes with their families or legal guardians.* York Region CAS is committed to providing in-home visits and support for families that are struggling.

SERVICEStatistics ALL STATISTICS ARE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR APRIL 1, 2017, TO MARCH 31, 2018.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS WE WORK WITH

PROVIDING CARE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

SUPPORTING CHILDREN & FAMILIES

50COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDING HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND POLICE

9,033CALLS RECEIVED CONCERNING SAFETY & WELL-BEING OF A CHILD

388CHILDREN IN CARE OF OUR AGENCY

7ADOPTIONS

65KINSHIP SERVICE FAMILIES

13KIN IN CARE FAMILIES

100FOSTER FAMILIES

4INDIGENOUS FOSTER FAMILIES

206CASES CONSULTED ON BY CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

3,913INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETED

117YOUTH SUPPORTED

10,051CHILDREN SERVED

138CHILDREN SERVED IN KINSHIP SERVICE FAMILIES

5,373FAMILIES SERVED

70EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY

AGENCY RESOURCE FAMILIES IN YORK REGION:

*Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect–2013.

ANNUAL REPORT • 9

33%POLICE

16%OTHER CAS

7%DOCTOR/HOSPITAL

3%SOCIAL

SERVICES

2%COURT SYSTEM

2%ANONYMOUSLY

2%INTERNAL STAFF

21%SCHOOLS

8%SELF4%

COMMUNITYMEMBER

HOW FAMILIES ARE REFERRED TO OUR AGENCY

REASONS CHILDREN COME INTO CARE OF OUR AGENCY

CAREGIVER CAPACITY

CAREGIVER—CHILD CONFLICT/CHILD BEHAVIOUR

ORPHANED/ABANDONED

PHYSICAL FORCE/MALTREATMENT

INADEQUATE SUPERVISION

CHILD EXPOSURE TO PARTNER VIOLENCE

NEGLECT OF CHILD’S BASIC NEEDS

CHILD EXPOSURE TO ADULT CONFLICT

CAREGIVER INABILITY TO PROTECT

48%

12%

9%

8%

6%

3%

3%

3%

2%

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

160VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP CHILDREN/ YOUTH DIRECTLY IN THE COMMUNITY

86CHILDREN/YOUTH SUPPORTED THROUGH ONE-TO-ONE VOLUNTEER MENTORSHIPS

574,545KILOMETERS DRIVEN BY VOLUNTEERS TAKING CHILDREN/YOUTH TO FAMILY ACCESS VISITS, ACTIVITIES, AND APPOINTMENTS

18,424TOTAL HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE(not including Board Members’ hours)

7 PROGRAMS THAT USE VOLUNTEERS:

• Big Buddy Mentor Program

• Homework Club• Family Visit Support

Program

• Tutor Program• Administration• Drive Program• Special Events & Projects

To help mentor a child or youth through our agency, please visit www.yorkcas.org/volunteeropportunity.asp or email [email protected].


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THE MANDATE OF EVERY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY IN ONTARIO IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN, TO PROMOTE CHILD WELLBEING AND TO IMPROVE FAMILY FUNCTIONING.

Each day, child welfare workers assess any concerns expressed by professionals or non-professionals about the safety or wellbeing of children, provide in-home services to children and their families, and in very rare cases will place children in out-of-home care.

The following descriptions of the services we provide are based on information that is readily available, non-identifying and is aggregate client data. These numbers are intended for use by child welfare managers and policy-makers to inform decisions about programming and policy development and also to provide basic information on a regular basis about our work in the community.

10 ANSWERS Every Child Welfare Agency Should ProvideFALLON, TROCMÉ, BLACK, CHAN & SAWH

HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY?There are just under 211,000 children 15 years of age and under in the York Region area.

About 0.41% of the catchment population are Indigenous. This number was based on Census 2006.

The median household income is $82,804 (4 quartile), and 24% are lone parents. These numbers were based on Census 2016.

WHAT PROPORTION OF CHILDREN FROM OUR COMMUNITY DO WE ASSESS EACH YEAR?Each year, about 2.3% of children come to the attention of our agency for a concern about their wellbeing or safety that needs to be assessed.

HOW MANY FAMILIES ARE ASSESSED FOR A CONCERN EACH YEAR?Each year, approximately 3,076 families are assessed for a concern about their children.

HOW MANY FAMILIES AFTER ASSESSMENT ARE PROVIDED WITH ONGOING CHILD WELFARE SERVICES EACH YEAR?About 551 families (or 0.4% of the York Region child population) are provided with ongoing services after assessment each year.

ANNUAL REPORT • 11

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9

10

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2

HOW MANY FAMILIES RETURN TO OUR AGENCY AFTER RECEIVING ONGOING CHILD WELFARE SERVICES?After receiving ongoing services from York Region CAS, 3% of the families return to our agency within 12 months.

WHY DO FAMILIES RETURN TO OUR AGENCY AFTER THEIR ONGOING SERVICE FILE HAS BEEN CLOSED?Families who return to our agency after receiving services return for an urgent need in only 0.4% of cases and for a more chronic need in 2.1% of cases.

HOW MANY CHILDREN DO WE PLACE IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE?Our agency places approximately 135 children each year in out-of-home care. This number represents 3% of all children we assess and less than 1% of the child population of York Region.

HOW LONG DO THESE CHILDREN REMAIN IN THE CARE OF OUR AGENCY?Within 36 months, 78% of children in our care have been discharged from care.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT CHILDREN SPEND IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE?The average number of days that children spend in our care is 322.

DO THE CHILDREN IN CARE STAY IN THE SAME PLACEMENT DURING THEIR TIME IN CARE?About 51% of children stay in the same placement for the duration of their care. 23% of children move once. 12% of children move twice. 14% of children move three or more times.


STAFF 289

AFTER HOURS WORKERS

24

FAMILY VISIT SUPPORT COACHES

40

BOARD MEMBERS15

KINSHIP SERVICE FAMILIES

65

PLACEMENT STUDENTS

11

VOLUNTEERS160

RESOURCE FAMILIES 117


EXPENSESSalaries & Wages $24,292,975

Benefits $7,083,473

Travel $1,130,444

Training & Recruitment $37,263

Building Occupancy $1,177,470

Professional Services – Non Client $273,437

Boarding Rate Payments $14,164,334

Professional Services – Client $951,761

Client Personal Needs $894,067

Financial Assistance $12,639

Medical & Related $531,079

Promotion & Publicity $30,073

Office Administration $237,117

Miscellaneous $140,993

Mortgage Interest $145,921

Information and Technology $437,508

Net Amortization of Capital Assets $209,935

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $51,750,489

Excess of (expenses over revenues)/ revenue over expenses ($1,192,712)

1 During the year, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services provided the Organization with funding of $155,672 to be applied towards prior years’ deficit. As this funding decision was made in the current fiscal year, the amount is included in the revenue for the year ended March 31, 2018.

FINANCIALSFOR THE FISCAL YEAR APRIL 1, 2017, TO MARCH 31, 2018.

REVENUEProvincial Grant1

$48,023,688

Income & Recoveries$2,534,089

TOTAL REVENUES$50,557,777


With the community’s help, the York Region Children’s Fund provides childhood enrichment, educational support, and compassionate aid to help children and youth in the care of York Region Children’s Aid Society reach their full potential.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO GAVE $2,000+

• All Languages Ltd.

• CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish

• Neetan Bakshi

• Samfiru Tumarkin LLP

• Anonymous Donor

We are grateful for the generous donations of post-secondary bursaries for youth in care:

• Aurora Optimist Club 2 x $250 bursary

• Newmarket Lions Club $1,500 bursary

• Newmarket Optimist Club $1,000 bursary

• Canadian Federation of University Women Aurora-Newmarket chapter, $1,000 bursary

• Canadian Federation of University Women Markham-Unionville chapter $1,000 bursary

In addition, the Canadian Federation of University Women Aurora-Newmarket chapter generously provided monetary awards to youth passing to the next grade in high school during the annual “It’s Cool to Stay in School Awards.”

IWILLSWIM raised $1,275 to send kids to swimming lessons. iWillSwim was created when William Deo, a former student of St. Andrew’s College, realized the cost of swimming lessons meant many kids miss out on learning this important skill.

Thank you to Grade 5/6 students at CHARLTON PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THORNHILL for choosing to donate $726 to the Children’s Fund, which they raised by selling gently used toys, books, and treats as part of a class project!

Big thanks to KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY staff for donating $1,175, which they raised during a community car wash held on their annual volunteer day.

Thank you MILESTONE’S NEWMARKET for donating $475, which was 10% of food sales during the East Gwillimbury Emergency & Community Safety Services Celebrity Server Event!

BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT GENEROUSLY DONATES: www.yorkregionchildrensfund.org

Charitable Registration Number: 8314 0634 RR0001

Special thanks TO EMPLOYEES OF YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID WHO GENEROUSLY DONATED $16,223 THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS!

TOTAL DONATIONS:

$57,453

Jill Moore, CHAIR

Brandy Elliot, VICE CHAIR

Ascenzio Farina, SECRETARY

Tim Flemming, TREASURER

Susan Bird

Barb Gray, CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY

Cindy Laidlaw

Sivan Tumarkin

Nancy French, CEO, YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY


PHONE

905.895.2318

TOLL FREE

1.800.718.3850

WEB

www.YorkCAS.org

FOSTER [email protected] www.fosteringatyork.com

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

SPEAKERS [email protected]

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

@YorkRegionCAS @CEOYorkCAS

CONTACT & Service Locations

LESLIE OFFICE

16915 Leslie Street, Newmarket, ON L3Y 9A1

RICHMOND HILL OFFICE

120 East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 301, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4V1

VAUGHAN OFFICE

3901 Highway 7 West, Suite 202, Woodbridge, ON L4L 8L5

Member of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.

Content by the Strategy, Quality, and Innovation department.Designed by RC Design.Printed on environmentally friendly paper.

Thank you to those individuals who graciously shared their stories to help create this annual report.

YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY IS INCORPORATED AS CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR YORK REGION.

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