Join us for an interactive virtual information session
about becoming a foster parent!

Thursday July 29, 2021
7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance by emailing:
Fostering@Yorkcas.org
A meeting link will be sent to you to attend virtually

Reflections on Discovery of Unmarked Graves at Marieval Residential School

York Region Children's Aid Society continues to stand with Indigenous communities across Canada in grieving the unmarked graves of the bodies being found across the country at former residential school sites. We are saddened on behalf of the children whose bodies were found and for their families and the communities of the Cowessess First Nation whose lives have been impacted by the Marieval residential school in Saskatchewan. Saddened for the hurt and continuing grief that Indigenous families experience because of decisions made by systems built on anti-Indigenous racism.

We join the Cowessess community, residential school survivors, family members, and Indigenous communities in their grief in this confirming of the loss of their children.

York Region Children's Aid Society is committed to the Calls to Action in The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's recommendations. We hear the recommendations that we individually and as an organization need to review again Volume 4 of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Missing Children and Unmarked Graves. As a child welfare agency, we are committed to demonstrating, by our behaviour, implementation of the nine commitments made by the child welfare sector, to Indigenous people and decolonizing practices, systems, and procedures that contribute to the negative child welfare legacy that continues to impact Indigenous communities today.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been created to provide support for former residential school students and those affected. Emotional and crisis referral services are available by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.

July 25: How To Become a Thriving Muslim Foster Caregiver

Join Mercy Mission FosterLink, in collaboration with MyUmmah, York Region Children's Aid Society, and Children's Aid Society of Toronto for "How To Become a Thriving Muslim Foster Caregiver" on Sunday, July 25, 2021, from 2-4 p.m.
Please pre-register to attend this free online webinar. For more information and to register please visit: fosterlink.ca

2020-21 York Region Children's Aid Society's Annual Report

We are proud to share the 2020-21 York Region Children's Aid Society Annual Report.

We are very grateful to the outstanding staff, kin and foster families, volunteers, and board members who work diligently to fulfill YRCAS's mission of thriving children, resilient families, and caring communities.

Honouring and Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ Identities

We proudly raised the #Pride and #Transgender flag at #YRCAS in Newmarket on June 1. With heavy hearts, after raising the flag, it was lowered to half-mast in honour of the 215 #Indigenous children whose bodies were recently found.

Pride month has been marked at York Region Children's Aid Society for the past few years, and it is a milestone moment we celebrate annually. We also reflect on the history and importance of what honouring Pride months means. In 1969, Canada decriminalized love between two people of the same sex, which before then was criminalized and punished inhumanly. In 2013, the civil marriage act was amended, and in 2017 the Human Rights Code added protections for gender identity and expression. In 2018, the government formally apologized for discriminating against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. There is still a long way to go.

We give space and honor the Black, Two Spirit, Indigenous and racialized members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who continue to be marginalized. We must promote equity, protect rights, and address discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities - both past and current. Raising the inclusive Pride and Transgender Flag reflects YRCAS's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and represents a celebration of identity, acceptance, and love. Happy Pride!

For those seeking support, please contact:

• Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): 1-866-925-4419 (24/7 crisis line)
• Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program : 1-888-301-6426

Family Emergency Planning for COVID-19

York Region Public Health and Social Services are asking parents and caregivers to plan ahead and make a Family Emergency Plan for COVID-19, in the event somebody in your household gets infected with COVID-19. This plan should include arrangements for an emergency caregiver in case you cannot care for your children due to self-isolation requirements or because you are too ill or need to be hospitalized.

York Region has developed a COVID-19 Resource Package for Parents and Caregivers that includes:

• Tips for making a family emergency plan
• Considerations when selecting an emergency caregiver
• Family Emergency Planning for COVID-19 Form that can be printed and given to an emergency caregiver and emergency services if needed
• Resources and Supports for Parents and Families
• Healthy Babies, Health Children Program

•  Targeted Emergency Child Care for health care and other front-line workers

•  Telephone Support for Parents with Children (up to Age Six)

•  Information about booking COVID-19 Vaccinations (As of May 25, 2021, anyone 12+ living or working in York Region can book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccination)

York Region Children's Aid Society - Our Work Plan in Response to
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services'
Findings in their Operational Review

2020 Operational Review of YRCAS
In July 2020, after receiving allegations of racism, bullying, and harassment by senior management at York Region Children's Aid Society (YRCAS), the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) initiated an Operational Review, which included a workplace assessment and review of service compliance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. The review included looking at all aspects of YRCAS including board governance, internal operations, human resources policies and practices, diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and service delivery. On November 13, 2020, MCCSS released the Operational Review Final Report to YRCAS's Board of Directors and staff, and made available to the public on the YRCAS website www.yorkcas.org/pdfs/operational_review_Nov2020.pdf.

Results of Operational Review: Change is Needed
The Operational Review found that YRCAS staff had been deeply impacted by "an autocratic, deficit-based culture of fear that targeted dissent and enabled oppressive behaviours."¹ The workplace assessment found that staff had been deeply impacted by a culture that enabled oppressive behaviours, including racism and anti-Black racism. The file and data review identified that in service delivery there was high compliance with most service requirements assessed in the review.

Recommendations from the Operational Review included the need for a new leadership direction and actions to create a healthy workplace culture. YRCAS views the review and its recommendations as an opportunity to make changes within the organization toward a healthy, respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace, and delivery of services. Racism, anti-Black racism, and anti-Indigenous racism, bullying, and harassment will not be accepted in our workplace.

YRCAS's 2021 Operational Work Plan
YRCAS was eager to take the steps necessary to be the healthy, equitable, and inclusive organization that staff, resource parents, board members, and children, youth, and families need and deserve. An Operational Work Plan was developed holistically by YRCAS staff and the board. It reflects YRCAS's commitment to address the 35 recommendations included in the Operational Review. The work plan is the first step toward change, with many projects, change initiatives, planning, and actions required to actualize the needed changes.

Please find English and French versions of the Operational Work Plan available here:

YRCAS Operational Review Work Plan

YRCAS Plan de travail en réponse à l'examen opérationnel

Progress Report: March 2021

YRCAS Operational Review Work Plan: Progress Report - March 2021

YRCAS Mise à jour du Plan de travail de l'examen opérationnel - Mars 2021

Progress Report: June 2021

YRCAS Operational Review Work Plan: Progress Report - June 2021

YRCAS Mise à jour du Plan de travail de l'examen opérationnel - Juin 2021

Questions about the work plan can be directed to Laura Goobie at Laura.Goobie@yorkcas.org.

Media inquiries can be directed to Tara Gaston at Tara.Gaston@Yorkcas.org

¹ Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services; Operational Review FINAL REPORT: York Region Children's Aid Society; October 2020.