Safe Children Bright Futures

 

Who We Help

CAS protects children and strengthens families. We are legally mandated by the Child and Family Services Act to:

  • Investigate allegations or evidence that children under the age of 16 might be in need of protection
  • Protect children where necessary
  • Provide guidance, counselling and other services to families for protecting children or preventing circumstances requiring the protection of children
  • Provide care for children assigned or committed to our care
  • Supervise children in care
  • Place children for adoption

Protecting Children And Strengthening Families

CAS is required by law to intervene when a child under 16 has been threatened, harmed or neglected physically, emotionally or sexually.

We know that children are better off growing up in their family home and we try to keep families together wherever possible. We work with families and provide counselling and support services to create safe homes.

Foster Care

When parents cannot safely care for their child, CAS may seek a Court order to supervise children in their own home or place them with friends or relatives, or in a foster home, or in other kinds of residences. Some residences are managed directly by CAS and some by other community agencies.

Placements are usually short-term and most children return home when their family situation gets improves.

Adoption

Some children are unable to return home and need a permanent placement. Wherever possible, CAS attempts to arrange adoption. We strive to keep children in touch with their family when it is in their best interest.

Our Goals

All children thrive in a safe, stable and loving family:

  • Children experience a sense of belonging with meaningful relationships
  • Children experience stability
  • Families have the abilities, resources and support to nurture and protect their children

Children served by the Society reach their full potential:

  • Children have the appropriate knowledge, skills, training and attitudes to achieve meaningful employment and healthy relationships as adults

Society as a whole is actively engaged in responsibility for the well-being of children:

  • Communities, governments and other agencies are working collaboratively to promote the best interests, protection and well-being of children
  • Communities, governments and other agencies are addressing root causes of child maltreatment and family breakdown

Our Guiding Principles

Child Safety And Well-being

Children will:

  • Be safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and appropriate
  • Be supported to achieve their potential in all developmental areas
  • Live in a safe environment that encourages their well-being

Child’s Sense Of Belonging And Identity

Children will:

  • Be provided with an opportunity to attach to and depend on a nurturing adult
  • Whenever possible, live in family-based care that is nurturing and supportive
  • Experience long term relationships that are meaningful and lasting

Empowering Families

  • Each family is unique and requires a customized response
  • Service provision should be based on collaborative relationships with families
  • Services should focus on strengthening families and building their capacity

Supporting Families Through Community

  • Families are best supported within a strong community
  • Service provision should be based on respectful and collaborative partnerships with community

Effective Intervention And Inclusive Services

Service provision will:

  • Reflect a strong commitment to early intervention
  • Be flexible and respond to the unique needs of the family
  • Support an inclusive model of intervention that emphasizes the family’s right and obligation to plan for their children
  • Reflect the critical importance of time in a child’s life stage (children have a sense of time that is different from that of adults and services must respect this)