Regional council has approved more than $2.6 million in funding for community programs through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund (HRCIF). The program provides vital dollars to non-profit social service and community health initiatives annually. “The HRCIF has grown in both size and impact, helping enhance the health, safety and well-being of our residents,” said regional chair Gary Carr. “The fund has tripled since 2012 to more than $2.6 million today.”

HRCIF funding is provided in one-year or multi-year grants and supports programs that: Address mental health; maintain housing and prevent homelessness; strengthen services to older adults, children and youth; improve food security; enhance safety and well-being; and support vulnerable residents.

Children and Youth unit at Ontario Ombudsman to begin accepting public complaints from May 1, 2019.

Today (April 30, 2019) marks the last day before the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007, is repealed and the Ontario Child Advocate (the Advocate’s Office) closes.

As of May 1, 2019, the new Children and Youth unit at the Ombudsman’s Office of Ontario will take over investigation authority into child welfare (children’s aid societies), residential licensees, such as foster homes and group homes, and secure treatment programs where a young person has been admitted.

Starting 4:30 pm, Monday, April 15, 2019. Please be advised of planned changes to our After Hours Service. Our agency is one of eight Children’s Aid Societies/Child and Family Service agencies in Ontario participating in a six-month pilot to have our calls answered by a Shared Service After Hours Team at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST). The goal of the change is to create consistency, efficiency and to improve service and safety to children and youth.

On October 17, 2018, cannabis became legal in Ontario for people 19 years and older. This is the same minimum age as tobacco and alcohol. Provincial law (Cannabis Control Act, 2017) prohibits individuals under the age of 19 from possessing any amount of cannabis.The government has put in place rules that will keep the province’s children and youth safe. Here’s what you need to know about legalization to help you support youth and talk with them about the risks of using cannabis.

National Volunteer Week, which takes place April 7-13, 2019, is a time to recognize, thank and celebrate Canada’s 12.7 million volunteers. The Halton Children’s Aid Society (Society) encourages you to join us in taking the time to thank the many volunteers who do so much in our communities.

The theme of National Volunteer Week 2019 is ‘The Volunteer Factor—Lifting Communities.’ As noted by one of the Society’s volunteers, “Most long-term volunteers will tell you, ‘I get more out of it than I put in. I always say that I’m very selfish to volunteer. This is my fun time.’” Volunteer Canada states, “When we volunteer, our spirits are lifted when we have the opportunity to work with others. It’s the Volunteer Factor!”

Using the power of relationships, research and knowledge to help kids thrive

Good neighbourhoods can help children thrive. Research tells us that in neighbourhoods where people get along, share values, and trust each other, youth have better mental health. And we know that neighbourhoods with lower social support and higher levels of poverty can negatively impact children’s development.

The demand for measures that help keep vulnerable local residents off the streets is climbing. According to the latest statistics put forth by Halton Region, 1,925 households were supported last year by the municipality’s homelessness prevention services — an increase from 1,746 in 2017.

One Vision One Voice (OVOV) will be leading provincial training for COMMUNITY organizations serving Black families. The training will focus on building capacity at community organizations to support Black families by giving community organizations relevant knowledge about exactly how Children's Aid Societies (CASs) work, what they need to tell their clients and the best way to support their clients who are engaging with CAS.

Help make a difference in the lives of our children, youth and families. The Halton Children’s Aid Society is seeking applications for mature and responsible volunteer drivers to transport children, youth and families to appointments and schools throughout the Halton Region.

The Halton Children’s Aid Society is excited to be implementing Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, a signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (Foundation) that will bring children and youth waiting to be adopted from foster care one step closer to safe, loving and permanent homes.

Action Early Years Committee: The Heart of the Matter by Alison Hilborn, Our Kids Network Acton Community Hub Coordinator Around the Acton Early Years Committee table, making a positive difference in children’s lives is what we all want. We want young children in Acton to grow and flourish, and ultimately become successful, happy adults. We work towards this vision through the many strong partnerships around the table. Over the past four years we’ve met once a month. We’ve brainstormed, discussed, critically analyzed, grown closer, and developed supportive, mindful relationships – relationships with “heart”.

The Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton (CAFH) is the fundraising arm of the Halton Children’s Aid Society (Halton CAS). Together, with you, our community ‘Partners in Caring,’ we assist children, youth and families who are experiencing serious challenges. Our goal is to brighten the holiday season by providing necessities and gifts to those who have been referred to our Holiday Program. Together, we can do it. Keep reading for a few ways you can assist!

Time to Turn Back the Clock and Change the Conversation about Learning through Play. With the end of October nearby, we will soon be reminded to turn back our clocks in order to gain a few extra hours of daylight. It’s also an opportunity for us to literally turn back time and reflect on our experiences as children and what this time of year meant to us.

Every October Children’s Aid Societies across the province raise awareness about the rights of children and youth to safety and well-being, and the responsibility of adults and community services to help children, youth, and families who need support. On Ontario Dress Purple Day we join together with our key partners, Boards of Education, schools, and child care centres and homes, to share this positive message that help is available and to celebrate the community that cares for kids and families. This year Ontario Dress Purple Day will take place on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

Are You Driven to Volunteer? The Halton Children’s Aid Society is seeking applications for mature and responsible volunteer drivers to...

For the first time in history, the Ontario child welfare sector will have Community Engagement Workers, dedicated to providing support to African Canadian families as they attempt to navigate the child welfare system. It is anticipated that both positions will be in place by September 2018. This means that members of the African Canadian community will be able to call on Community Engagement Workers who will have extensive knowledge of the child welfare system, when they are experiencing barriers, systemic or anti-black racism or are trying to navigate the child welfare system. A need for this service was clearly articulated in Phase I of the One Vision One Voice project.

Back-to-School Drive 2018 The Children's Aid Foundation of Halton's Back-to-School drive is on! Remember the feeling of starting the new...

After a special event co-ordinated with Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga, several local children’s charities have become the recipients of brand new playhouses. The delivery of the playhouses has been met with immediate gratitude. “We are delighted to add the playhouse to our playground for children and families to enjoy during their visits at our office,” said Halton Children’s Aid Society’s Lisa Janssen. “The playhouse was being used within minutes of setup, its colourful exterior is inviting and adds a wonderful visual and functional element to our outdoor space — it’s a huge hit!”

SENT FROM PAUL BARTU, BOARD CHAIR, ON  BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HALTON CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY May...

Ontario's provincial election is scheduled for June 7, 2018. Learn more about what we are advocating for to ensure the...

Our Kids Network (OKN) has just released two new reports outlining the results of the 2015-2016 Tell Them From Me...

What can a child make with cardboard, tape, paint, wood and tools? The sky is the limit! Join us for...

With Family Day approaching (Monday, February 19th), Our Kids Network wants to remind parents, other caregivers, and everyone that strong...

We are seeking applications for mature and responsible volunteer drivers to transport children, youth and families to appointments and schools...

Comment Period Open: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 - Phase 1 Proposed Regulatory Provisions. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services invites you to comment on the first phase of the proposed regulatory provisions and statements of policy to support the successful implementation of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, which received Royal Assent on June 1, 2017. Comments are due no later than January 26, 2018.

After 40 years of dedicated service in Child Welfare, Nancy MacGillivray has advised the Board of Directors that she will be retiring to pursue new adventures and spend more time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Nancy will be retiring from the role of Executive Director, a post she has held with distinction for the past 12 of the 18 years she worked with the Halton Children’s Aid Society. Previously Nancy worked at the Hamilton-Wentworth CAS for 22 years.

Were you a Crown ward at any time from the period January 1, 1966 until March 30, 2017? If so, you may be a class member in the class action which has now been certified by the court. The lawsuit seeks money (damages) and other benefits for class members. Please visit https://kmlaw.ca/cases/crown-ward-class-action/ to get more information about this class action and your rights, or contact us at ocwclassaction@kmlaw.ca or 1 (877) 739-8936.

Our Kids Network joins national campaign focused on a child’s right to be safe. Every year, the United Nations promotes children’s rights and welfare by recognizing Universal Children’s Day on November 20th. Here in Halton, Our Kids Network and its partners use the occasion to encourage everyone to think about and discuss children’s rights in our community and around the world.

During November, the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) and Children’s Aid Societies (CASs) across Ontario are promoting Adoption Awareness Month to raise awareness about the importance of life-long relationships for children and youth in care. Adoption is one of a range of permanency options CASs consider when making decisions about the best setting for a child or youth. Other permanency options include kinship service, kinship care, customary care, legal custody, and transition to adulthood.

2017 marks the 13th year of the Bikes for Kids program by PACEperformance. Each year PACEperformance strives to give a...

No one should hesitate to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. That’s the all-important message the Children’s Aid Society of Halton is looking to drive home to residents this month. As October is Child Abuse Prevention Month, it’s an especially timely message that should go without saying. But what constitutes neglect? A child who is neglected, according to the Children’s Aid Society of Halton, is one whose vital needs aren’t consistently met. That could mean poor nutrition, lack of attention, hygiene or unattended physical and medical needs. “From a child welfare perspective, neglect is a concern because it ultimately affects a child’s ability to thrive,” explained Mary Ballantyne, CEO of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS).

On Tuesday October 24th, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS), Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) and key partners will mark Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) with a provincial DRESS PURPLE DAY to raise awareness about how it takes a community to prevent child abuse. The provincial hashtag for the campaign is #IBREAKthesilence. This year, hundreds of schools across the province will be using specialized classroom resources developed by OACAS to support teachers to engage in conversations about safety and well-being with students from JK to Grade 5. The resources are also intended to support schools in their participation in DRESS PURPLE DAY.

Foster Family Week highlights the critical role foster families play in the safety and well-being of children and youth. When children and youth cannot remain at home due to safety concerns, the preferred option is to place them with their immediate or extended family, or a member of their community. If that is not possible, foster care may be the best alternative.

We want to thank the City of Burlington, ON for proclaiming October as Child Abuse Prevention Month and October 24, 2017 as Dress Purple Day in the City of Burlington.

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month and this year the Halton Children’s Aid Society is joining the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and Children’s Aid Societies to raise awareness about the importance of calling Children’s Aid with concerns about the safety or well-being of a child or youth. This year’s campaign specifically highlights the devastating impact neglect—which is classified as a type of abuse—can have on a child or youth. “A child who is neglected is consistently not having their vital needs met. That could mean poor nutrition, lack of attention to hygiene or unattended physical and medical needs,” says Mary Ballantyne, CEO of OACAS. “From a child welfare perspective, neglect is a concern because it ultimately affects a child’s ability to thrive.”

The Winch Group is kicking off hockey season with its eighth Annual Community Sports Equipment Drive. The initiative, which supports First Nations youth and the Halton Children’s Aid Society, collects gently-used sporting equipment that is distributed to young people in need. Last year, items were packed into OPP trailers and transported to Wasauksing First Nation in Parry Sound, as well as Shawanaga First Nation, Henvey Inlet First Nation, and Magnetawan First Nation. Gear was also flown into Neskantaga First Nation. Organizers are looking for hockey gear, bicycles, and other athletic items. They can be dropped off at the Mainway Recreation Centre parking lot at 4015 Mainway (east of Walkers Line) in Burlington on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about the equipment drive, email Lindsay Webb at l.webb@swinchgroup.com or visit www.winchgroup.com/community-outreach.

Halton Families for Families September Family Night Social will take place in Acton and is going to be full of...

Our fundraising arm, the Children's Aid Foundation of Halton (CAFH), is in full swing with this year's Back-to-School drive for...

Make the first day of school sweet. Please consider the children and youth who are supported by the Children’s Aid...

Good-bye Fast and Processed Foods: Learning to Cook from Scratch! By Jennifer Jenkins-Scott, Health Promoter, Healthy Families Division of Halton Region Health Department When was the last time you made a meal from scratch? A whole meal, prepared using fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs? Parents today are so busy that they often rely on fast or processed foods for ease and convenience. But the trade-off is that these foods are much higher in fat, sugar and salt. Eating these types of foods frequently can put children at risk of developing chronic diseases. There is also a lost opportunity for family time together in the kitchen and for children to learn the enjoyment and skill of cooking. Research has shown that improving children’s food skills in the kitchen results in higher vegetable and fruit consumption for the whole family! “Our Kids Eat Well”, a new Our Kids Network work group with a focus on promoting healthy eating in fun and interesting ways, has launched “You’re the Chef!”

April 23-29, 2017 is National Volunteer Week. In 2017, volunteering comes in many forms and is as diverse as Canada itself. Someone who shovels their neighbour’s laneway or who brings a lost pet to the animal shelter is helping to build a stronger community. Sometimes we miss recognizing these people as volunteers because they do not occupy a formal role within an organization or group.