The Children's Aid Society of London & Middlesex

2008-2009 was a year of rapid change and learning at CAS. Today's Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to celebrate, reflect and look forward to our bright future.

In 2008-2009, we refined our service delivery model to include more focus on the strengths and the integrity of each family. We worked to customize approaches to each family and their situation as well as finding new ways to involve the family in the change process.

Where possible, community partners were invited to participate so that services could be coordinated with the family at the table.

These new directions are complementary to the strategic directions set out by the Board of Directors last year, specifically:

• To develop and deliver evidence-informed programs and services that emphasize permanency and child and family well-being
• To pursue community engagmeent through innovative collaboration strategies

We know that every child needs a family, and that every child needs to belong. Despite our efforts to keep families together, some families are unable to provide the care and nurturing that their children need. When that is the case, we make every effort to seek out extended family to provide care for children in the short and long term. If the family cannot step in, children are placed with foster families or adoptive families where long-term relationships can support them to achieve their potential and succeed in the future.

Over the past year, the Board of Directors has concentrated significant time on the governance of CAS. A smaller Board has been put in place to streamline their work. The focus is on accountability for programs and resources and the positive outcomes we want for our children.

Together with the family, our goal is to work collaboratively with community partners to enable decisions that are in the child's best interest.