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| Type | Provincial Children Protection services |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Non-governmental organization |
| Purpose | Child and family services |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario |
Region served | Canada |
Official language | English, French |
| Website | www |
Children's Aid Societies (CAS) are certified non-governmental child protection organizations in Ontario, Canada which operate independently of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community, and Youth Services to provide child protection services. The declared goal of CAS is to "promote the best interests, protection and well being of children".[1]
Their principal functions are to:[2]
- Investigate reports or evidence of abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18 or in the society's care or supervision, where necessary, take steps to protect the children
- Care for and supervise children who come under their care or supervision
- Counsel and support families for the protection of children or to prevent circumstances requiring the protection of children
- Place children for adoption
These societies receive funding from, and are under the supervision of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.[1] However, they are regarded as a Non-governmental organization (NGO), which allows CASs a large degree of autonomy from interference or direction in the day-to-day running of the Societies by the Ministry. There are 49 children's aid societies across Ontario, including 11 Indigenous societies.[3] An oversight body, known as The Child and Family Services Review Board, exists to investigate complaints against a CAS and maintains authority to issue orders against the Societies.[4]
- ^ a b Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (SO 2017, c. 14, Sched. 1)
- ^ "About Ontario's children's aid societies". Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
- ^ "Ministry of Children and Youth Services". Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ^ "Complaints Against a Children's Aid Society". Child and Family Services Review Board. Archived from the original on 12 September 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.