Family Services

The Children's Aid Society of the the District of Thunder Bay (the Society) believes that we all share a responsibility to protect children from harm. Child Protection Workers use a professional, standardized process to determine if reported concerns require further investigation.

Responding to Your Calls

• When you call the Society to report your concerns about a child's safety and well-being, we begin to gather detailed information about the situation. This includes an Intake worker speaking with the child, parents, school officials etc., and determining the supports a family may need.
• If the Society determines that the referral is of a non-severe nature, the Society will assist the family by seeking helpful support services such as crisis management, mental health treatment, counselling, training in safe parenting skills, and other supports to prevent child abuse and neglect.
• Since children are adversely impacted by violence within the home, the Society will also look for signs of domestic violence in order to provide referrals and support in this area.
• The Intake Unit conducts investigations and assessments in accordance with the standards set out by the Ontario Child, Youth, and Family Services Act and the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. A Differential Model of Services is used which includes customized interventions, which best suit, the child and family's needs. The Agency also provides Emergency after-hours services to handle referrals 24 hours per day in Thunder Bay and District.  The Society has three district offices in Nipigon, Geraldton and Marathon.

Keeping Families Together

• In most cases, the Society is able to keep children at home while we work with their families.
• When there is a determination that child protection services are required, families may be involved both short-term and long-term with our Family Services Unit.
• Where there are concerns about a child's safety within the home, the Society may seek a court Order to supervise children at home.
• If necessary, the Society may seek a court Order to place children in the temporary care of relatives or friends through Kinship Services or with friends or resource parents (aka foster parents).
• The Society places high value on a child's connections with their extended family and cultural needs when planning for their safety.

Involving You in Planning For Your Child's Care

• Whenever possible, the Society actively involves children and families in planning the care and service they receive from the Society.
• The Society develops a collaborative outcome plan with families, meets regularly with children and families, advocates for services and assists families in accessing needed services.
• The Society brings together extended family, community and other professionals to discuss concerns and build upon family strengths.
• The Society uses approaches such as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Signs of Safety to work with families, children and youth.

Collaboration with community service providers is an essential part of the work of the Family Services Unit.

Responding to Your Concerns

• From time to time, children and/or their families who are recipients of the Society's services may disagree with the service that is provided to them. It is important for us to try and resolve these complaints as soon as possible.
• Please discuss your concerns with your worker and review our Client Complaints Resolution process to learn more.