TORONTO — The Ontario government says the province’s child welfare system is facing challenges.
Not all children, youth and families are getting the support they deserve, and some children are struggling once they leave care, states a press release from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
On Aug. 23 associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues Jill Dunlop announced the launch of an engagement with youth, families, caregivers, frontline workers and child welfare sector leaders to strengthen the child welfare system for children and youth.
“If we are going to make a difference for children and youth, we must listen to them and then build programs that protect them and help improve their futures,” said Dunlop.
“Ontario’s most vulnerable children and youth deserve the best supports we can provide, and we look forward to hearing advice and ideas on how we can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
The ministry says challenges include:
– children and youth don’t always get the quality of care they deserve;
– a disproportionate number of black and indigenous children and youth are in the care of children’s aid societies;
– children and prospective adoptive parents are not being matched together for adoption as often as could be possible;
– the supports and services children and families access when they need help are not consistent province-wide; and
– the system is not operating as efficiently as it should.
The government is encouraging youth, families, caregivers and frontline workers to provide feedback through an online survey available on the ministry website as of Aug. 30. The ministry will be engaging directly with indigenous partners, service providers and stakeholders for their input. All participants will be asked for their insights about the gaps, barriers, and opportunities to support better outcomes for children, youth and families.
In the process, the government will engage with a third party to provide independent advice on modernizing services to ensure they are better coordinated, focused on prevention, culturally appropriate, and responsive to the needs of children, youth and families.
