Building Momentum for Child Welfare Redesign

Over the past year, CASO has continued to lead and participate in efforts to drive meaningful reform in the child welfare sector. While these are just some of the highlights, they showcase our commitment to addressing the systemic challenges that impact children, youth and families in our community.

Back in 2019-2020, CASO played a pivotal role in shaping the province’s child welfare redesign strategy, which was launched in July 2020. We provided direct guidance and input, drafting a proposal for a new funding formula that prioritizes best practices, prevention, and early intervention while upholding our commitments to Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. This foundational work set the stage for our ongoing efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable child welfare system.

In October 2023, we brought together government officials and community partners for a crucial discussion on how we can collaborate to improve outcomes for vulnerable children, youth and families. This event underscored the need for stronger interministerial collaboration and integrated services to create a cohesive support system that addresses the complex needs of those we serve.

As the situation in Ottawa grew more urgent, we issued a news release in June 2024, drawing attention to the critical gaps in resources and supports. We highlighted the growing crisis, where families were turning to CASO not because of abuse or neglect, but due to the lack of appropriate treatment options for children and youth with complex needs. We called for immediate government action and stressed that only through coordinated efforts across sectors can we provide the comprehensive care these children and families require.

In a show of solidarity, CASO and OPSEU Local 454 held a joint press conference, which garnered significant media attention. We warned that the sector is at a tipping point, with chronic underfunding leaving workers overwhelmed and families without the supports they need. Our message was clear: the government must prioritize sustainable funding and a more integrated service delivery model if we are to meet the needs of our most vulnerable youth.

As the crisis deepened, CASO unionized staff went on strike for about four weeks, advocating for urgent reform and sustainable funding for the sector. During this time, we published an op-ed that underscored the pressing need for a shift in how child protection is supported. We emphasized that investing in early intervention and preventative services is not only the right thing to do but also a financially sound approach that can prevent costly crises in the future.