About Us - YRCAS

The York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to promote the well-being, best interests and protection of children and youth from abuse and neglect. As a leader within the child welfare sector, we aim to keep families together and partner with parents, caregivers and community to help create and sustain safe environments for children and youth, through equitable, child-centred, culturally aligned services.

Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of family centred service, we engage with children, youth and families or a stronger, healthier community within York Region.

YRCAS is actively cultivating a culture of belonging and learning based on inclusive leadership that encourages every team member to lead within their role, build strategic relationships, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission, vision and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children, youth and family safety and well-being is prioritized.

Children’s Aid Societies are regulated by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and governed by the Ontario Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA).

York Region Children’s Aid Society strives to ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth in the community, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We partner with parents, caregivers and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.

Keeping children safe is a community responsibility.

We receive many calls each year from concerned citizens, teachers, police, other agencies, and health care professionals about children and families who may need help. Families may be facing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, ill health, domestic violence, or mental health issues. Some families just need parenting support. When a family needs support, we link them to a variety of community services. Together, with community service colleagues, we work with children and families for a stronger, healthier community.

Under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, Children’s Aid Societies are mandated to:

Investigate allegations or evidence that children under the age of 18 may be in need of protection
Protect children where necessary
Provide guidance, counselling, and other services to families for protecting children or preventing circumstances requiring the protection of children
Provide care and supervision for children assigned or committed to its care
Facilitate the adoption process for children when needed

We believe that children belong with their families and our work is done with families and children in their own homes.

For children and teens who are unable to safely remain in their own home, or have no parent or guardian available, we ensure they are placed in a safe and caring environment with members of their extended family (kin), family friends, or a foster caregiver. Many of the children who come to foster families have experienced some form of abuse or neglect and need a loving, stable environment to help them recover from their experience. We provide ongoing support to children in care and their kinship or foster caregivers.

Children’s Aid Society also facilitates public adoptions for children and youth.

Mission & Vision

Mission

YRCAS collaborates with communities to provide and advance equitable and accessible supports to ensure the wellbeing of the diverse children, youth, and families of York Region.

Vision

Every child and youth has a healthy future in a caring family, in supportive communities.

Values

Accountable

We are transparent and act with integrity in applying our values and monitoring our performance.

Collaborative

We work to be community-based by listening and amplifying the voice of diverse communities, working together to leverage our collective resources and meet common goals.

Compassionate

We listen and seek to understand our clients and staff and assist them to meet their goals.

Equitable

We provide services that are fair, inclusive, accessible and trauma informed, to support the unique needs and circumstances of children, youth and families that we serve.

Innovative

We courageously challenge the status quo and work to collaboratively design solutions that improve well-being of children, youth and families.

Proactive

We have a holistic approach to service with a focus on prevention and early intervention to support children, youth, and family well-being.

York Region Children’s Aid Society’s Strategic Plan

To read more about our strategic directions and priorities, please view our Strategic Plan.

YRCAS Strategic Plan

YRCAS Child-Friendly Strategic Plan

Community Partnerships

View All Community Partners