“A person’s a person,
no matter how small.”
YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
2014/15 ANNUAL REPORT
Excellent Service. Growing Partnerships.
Visionary and Forward Focused.
Colette Prévost
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jill Moore
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
– Colette Prévost,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DIRECTRICE GÉNÉRALE
At York Region Children’s Aid Society, we
are continuously striving to ensure strong
community engagement and services that
complement and reflect the needs of children,
youth, and families. We remain committed to
passionately serving the growing communities
of York Region. It is an honour to work
alongside such dedicated staff, foster families,
and volunteers who together make a difference
in the lives of so many children and youth.
À la société d’aide à l’enfants de la région de York,
nous nous efforçons sans cesse d’offrir un engagement
communautaire solide et des services apportant un
complément aux besoins des enfants, des jeunes et des
familles. Nous demeurons déterminés à servir avec
ardeur les collectivités en croissance de la région de
York. C’est un honneur de travailler en compagnie
d’un personnel, de familles d’accueil et de bénévoles
dévoués qui, ensemble, font une différence dans la
vie de tant d’enfants et de jeunes.
York Region Children’s Aid Society continues to be forward focused as we strive to deliver evidence-based services and programs to children, youth, and families. We are dedicated to meeting the particular needs of families within unique socio-environmental and cultural communities through supportive and nurturing engagement.
We remain energized and eagerly engaged with our many community partners as we work to champion a visionary service structure that is tailored to the highest standards of care. It is our belief that a collaborative approach to leadership is instrumental in advancing the social fabric of child welfare in our region.
We are guided by our interest in ensuring the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and youth. Through an advanced strategic planning process, York Region CAS has positioned itself as a strong partner in the continuum of children and youth services. We look forward to building a collaborative energy aimed at an integrated service approach. Our recognition of the value of partnership, engagement, diversity, and difference will help shape our vision as we strive to achieve innovative service excellence.
I am proud to thank and applaud the staff, volunteers, board, and families who are committed to changing the lives of children and families. Together we will continue building excellent services and growing our community partnerships while maintaining a visionary forward focus. Warmest regards,
Jill Moore
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, leftColette Prévost
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, right2014/2015 Annual Report 3
What makes our partnership with York CAS successful is
the ongoing vision to integrate key services, combined with
our common values, shared perspective, and mutual respect.
Sylvia Pivko
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BLUE HILLS CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE
Un service d’excellence. Des partenariats
en croissance. Un organisme visionnaire et
tourné vers l’avenir.
La société d’aide à l’enfants de la région de York continue d’être tournée vers l’avenir en s’efforçant de fournir des services et des programmes fondés sur des données probantes pour les enfants, les jeunes et les familles. L’organisme se consacre à répondre aux besoins particuliers des familles au sein de collectivités socio-environnementales et culturelles uniques, par l’entremise d’un engagement de soutien et attentionné.
Nous conservons notre vitalité et demeurons vivement engagés avec nos nombreux partenaires communautaires en nous faisant les champions d’une structure de services visionnaire adaptée aux normes supérieures de soins. Nous croyons qu’une approche coopérative en matière de leadership contribue à faire progresser le tissu social du bien-être de l’enfance dans notre région.
Nous sommes guidés par notre intérêt à garantir la sécurité, le bien-être et la permanence des enfants et des jeunes. Par l’entremise d’un processus de planification stratégique développé, notre organisme s’est positionné à titre de solide partenaire dans le continuum des services aux enfants et aux jeunes. Nous serons heureux d’apporter une énergie coopérative axée sur une approche intégrée en matière de services. En étant conscients de la valeur du partenariat, de l’engagement, de la diversité et de la différence, nous pourrons mieux façonner notre vision en visant l’excellence d’un service innovateur.
C’est avec fierté que nous félicitons le personnel, les bénévoles, les membres du Conseil et les familles qui s’engagent à changer la vie de nos enfants et de leurs familles. Ensemble, nous continuerons de mettre en place d’excellents services et d’accroître nos
partenariats communautaires, tout en demeurant visionnaires et tournés vers l’avenir.
Sincèrement,
Colette Prévost
DIRECTRICE GÉNÉRALEJill Moore
PRÉSIDENTE DU CONSEIL D’ADMINISTRATION5,530
FAMILIES SERVED FAMILLES SERVIES117
FOSTER FAMILIES FAMILLES D’ACCUEIL14
BOARD MEMBERS MEMBRES DU CONSEIL341
STAFF MEMBRES DU PERSONNEL191
VOLUNTEERS BÉNÉVOLESAt a glance
Aperçu
Many children and families coming through child welfare have mental health concerns, so it is a natural partnership for Blue Hills and York CAS to work together. Blue Hills has a 45-year history working to ensure the best treatment and service options for children’s mental health. About a year and half ago, a children’s mental health professional began sitting at York CAS to provide consultation to workers about children they are supporting. Over the past year, the children’s mental health professional consulted on and assisted with 69 cases at York CAS. This is one of nine shared services.
Another initiative we have recently collaborated on is the Road 2 Resolution program, an alternative dispute resolution method that involves a meeting with two- third party facilitators, York CAS, and the family. This meeting takes place when a child has been removed from the home with the goal of engaging the family in early decision making and to assist in ensuring positive interactions and practices between York CAS and the family.
Together, we work with the family to ensure First Nation’s customs are respected and so the community can help decide where children and youth live when they can’t stay at home. This process was established about 10 years ago and has inspired similar protocol between other CASs and First Nation communities in the province.
York CAS strives to understand the way in which First Nations people live and raise their families. Over the past year, York CAS staff came to Georgina Island to complete Aboriginal Alternative Dispute Resolution training and to understand the legislation in the Child and Family Services Act that directs CASs to deliver provisions of service to First Nations families.
When I think about the relationship we have with York CAS, this teaching comes to mind: we each paddle down the river, side by side, in our own way of paddling. We might paddle differently, but we are going in the same direction.
York CAS calls
me first about
any concerns
regarding the
children of
Georgina Island’s
First Nation.
Shannon Crate
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES CHIPPEWAS OF GEORGINA ISLANDFOSTER PARENTS WITH
YORK REGION CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
Gordon & Bev
We have been foster parents with York CAS for 11 years. We began fostering because we wanted to give back to our community. After much training with York CAS, we began doing relief visits for other foster parents. It kind of felt like being a first-time mom again, except having different boundaries because they are not our children. But we felt like this is what we should be doing; like it was our calling in life. We have supported 23 children who have lived in our home, with 11 returning to family or kin, and five being adopted. Currently, we have four boys living with us; two are siblings that have been with us since the beginning. These brothers have grown up with us, enjoying all our regular family activities and outings over the years and travelling across Canada for family vacations with us. We will continue to foster knowing we are making a difference in kid’s lives.
From attending
school activities and
sports practices, to
youth camps and
scouting – fostering
makes us smile and
keeps us young.
To learn more, please visit www.fosteringatyork.com or call our
EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEING A FOSTER PARENT?
2014/2015 Annual Report 7
Revenue
Provincial Grant1 $46,138,590
Income & Recoveries $2,272,840
TOTAL REVENUES $48,411,430
Expenses
Salaries & Wages $22,205,096 Benefits $6,508,088
Travel $1,209,293
Training & Recruitment $55,495 Building Occupancy $1,156,966 Professional Services – Non Client $229,825 Boarding Rate Payments $14,022,006 Professional Services – Client $865,586 Client Personal Needs $614,443 Financial Assistance $10,355 Medical & Related $590,714 Promotion & Publicity $25,691 Office Administration $300,674 Miscellaneous $151,525 Mortgage Interest $175,385 Information and Technology $411,417
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $48,532,559
Excess of (expenses over revenues)/
revenue over expenses
($121,129)Board of
Directors
Jill Moore, CHAIR Barbara Gray, VICE-CHAIR Brandy Elliot, TREASURER Al Suleman Amy Lau Ascenzio Farina Avanthi Goddard Bob Ebrahimzadeh Darryl Wolk Jennifer Shelton Karen Singh Mark Foerster Rod Staveley Sara Austin Tahir Shafiq“There can be no
keener revelation
of a society’s soul
than the way in
which it treats its
children.”
– Nelson Mandela
Financials
1 During the year, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services provided the
Organization with funding of $547,839 to be applied towards prior years' deficit. As this funding decision was made in the current fiscal year, the amount is included in the revenue for the year ended March 31, 2015.
High Risk Infant Nurses provide assessment and intervention services to vulnerable infants and toddlers and their families to promote infant safety, well-being, and permanence. The nurses’ specialized role combines medical and community nursing expertise with child protection experience and perspective. Nurses provide prenatal services to expecting mothers and their families. The focus of working with the prenatal population is to connect with pregnant women, and their partners, early in their pregnancies to engage them in services that will promote the delivery of healthy newborns and to ensure necessary supports are in place at the time of birth. The nurses also work jointly with child protection workers to provide medical and developmental assessments of infants and toddlers. Nurses provide services to medically complex children in the care of the agency and support foster parents and kinship providers to meet the needs of these infants and toddlers.
High Risk Infant Nurse Program
Statistics
Our
Work &
Services
FAMILIES SUPPORTED PRENATALLY CHILD PROTECTION CASES MANAGED HIGH RISK INFANT NURSES ON STAFF4
HIGH RISK INFANT NURSES PROVIDED SUPPORTIVE SERVICE TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM BIRTH UP TO AGE TWO
377
41
25
Police 33% School 21% Other CAS 14% Self 7% Health practitioner 7% Community member 4% Emotional harm/exposure to conflict 32%Request for assistance 18%
Caregiver capacity 17%
Physical abuse 16%
Neglect 9%
Abandonment/separation 5%
Sexual abuse 3%
Cases by referral source
Reason for call/referral
Social services 3%
Legal system 3%
York CAS Staff 3%
Relative 2% Other 2% Anonymous 1%
8,713
CHILDREN SERVED10,300
CALLS RECEIVEDCONCERNING THE SAFETY
159
YOUTH SUPPORTED3,916
INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETED44
PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY VIA THE5,530
FAMILIES SERVED
Primary reasons for referral to the program:
1.
Alleged risk of/or physical abuse/ neglect to infant/toddler2.
Caregivers who have a mental health issue that impacts their ability to parent3.
Caregivers who misuse substances2014/2015 Annual Report
York Region Children’s Aid Society 11
10
8%
NEGLECT2%
EMOTIONAL HARM/EXPOSURE TO CONFLICT24%
ABANDONMENT/ SEPARATION53%
CAREGIVER CAPACITY9
20,190
STUDENT PLACEMENTS HOURS OF SERVICE DONATED128
CHILDREN DISCHARGED FROM CARE10
ADOPTIONS17
FAMILIES RECEIVING ADOPTION SUBSIDIES295
191
STAFF MEMBERS VOLUNTEERS21
594,349 km
AFTER HOURS WORKERSKILOMETRES DRIVEN BY VOLUNTEERS TAKING CHILDREN TO FAMILY ACCESS VISITS, APPOINTMENTS, ACTIVITIES
25
9
FAMILY VISIT SUPPORT COACHES PROGRAMS THAT USE VOLUNTEERS25
LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY YORK CAS STAFFOur Staff
Our Volunteers
23.5%
AGES 7–12 YEARS RICHMOND HILL10%
VAUGHAN5%
OUTSIDE YORK REGION8%
EAST GWILLIMBURY4%
AURORA5%
GEORGINA20%
MARKHAM24%
NEWMARKET24%
54%
AGES 13–18 YEARS2%
REQUEST FOR COUNSELING11%
PHYSICAL ABUSE22.5%
AGES 0–6 YEARS448
CHILDREN CURRENTLYIN THE CARE OF OUR AGENCY
576
CHILDREN IN CARE SERVED DURING THE YEAR11
NEW FOSTER HOMES OPENED117
FOSTER HOMES18
KINSHIP HOMESChildren in care
Children in care
Reason for admission to care
Permanency
for children
Where they
live
York Region
Children’s
Fund
CHAMPIONS: $25,000+ Frank Scarpitti Charitable Foundation Thank you to all of ourcommitted donors – at all levels – for your support throughout the year. You are truly making a difference in
The York Region Children’s Fund has now completed our first full year in operation! We are proud of the work that has been accomplished to provide children and youth served by York CAS opportunities to grow and thrive. A solid foundation has been laid on which we will continue to build. Much work this year has been about sharing the message that, with our community’s help, we can enrich the lives of vulnerable children and youth – year round – to help them reach their full potential. There is still so much to be done, and we look forward to the coming year with hope and purpose.
With sincere gratitude,
Bruce Herridge
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rachel Agnoluzzi
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORBoard of Directors
Bruce Herridge,CHAIR
Robert Rupnik,TREASURER
Patrick Lake,SECRETARY
Brian Johns Graham Brown Ian Proudfoot Joanne Giannakopoulos Mark Foerster Rebecca Clark Stella Partipilo
Impact of Donor Support
With our focus on childhood enrichment, support for education, and compassionate aid, this year the Children’s Fund has helped:
Huge thanks to our
donors!
To learn more or getinvolved, please contact: Rachel Agnoluzzi
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
York Region Children’s Fund 905-895-2318 ext 6103 rachel.agnoluzzi@yorkcas.org
Please help the York Region Children’s Fund make a lasting difference in the life of a child.
FRIENDS: $5,000-$9,999
Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish Magna Closures Dortec Industries Magna International Inc. Newmarket Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic RBC Foundation HOLIDAY HEROES PARTNERS: York Regional Police St. Andrew’s College Hasbro RC Design Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation Barrick Gold Corporation St. Andrew’s College Spring Smash Staff of York Region Children’s Aid Society Children’s Fund Team, Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon
EVERYDAY HEROES: $10,000-$24,999
Audited financial statements available on request.
Travel costs covered for a college student so she could attend a once-in-a-lifetime internship in Banff to complete her college tourism program
A bus pass for a youth living independently so he could stretch his limited finances to purchase the tools needed to complete his trade program
A First Steps kit filled with essential baby supplies given to a new mom when she had the courage to leave an abusive relationship with only the clothes she was wearing
Proper winter boots for a 16-year-old because “boots were just too expensive” as an independent-living youth with no family support
Individualized support so two brothers with physical and intellectual disabilities could attend day camp alongside their friends
A trip home for the holidays so a college student could be with her sister, who is her only family
These are just a few examples of your support in action:
154 CHILDREN living inimmediate or extended family settings
114 YOUTH who are moving
to independent living, growing up in the care of the agency
22 INFANTS involved with
the agency’s High Risk Infant Nurse program
35 CHILDREN participating in
the Book Worm program to instill a lifelong love of reading
OVER 400 FAMILIES and 140 YOUTH who received
much-needed support during the holiday season
Thank you to those who shared their stories
and helped to create this annual report.
All statistics and financials included in this annual report are for the fiscal year April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015.
York Region Children’s Aid Society is incorporated as Children and Family Services for York Region.
Kennedy Place
16915 Leslie Street Newmarket, ON L3Y 9A1
Richmond Hill
120 East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 301 Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4V1