Children's Aid Society of Algoma leads the way in Ontario

The Children's Aid Society of Algoma has set the bar in Ontario for providing guardianship.

A six-member team from Ontario's Ministry of Children and Youth Services conducted an annual week-long review last week and awarded CAS a 97.2 per cent compliance rate in all ministry standards. Executive director Jim Baraniuk was told at the time it was the highest compliance score yet awarded to an Ontario CAS, which average 76 per cent.

"It reflects the system we've put into place, with our child protection supervisors and staff that are taking a really focused approach in improving quality care for our children," Baraniuk said Tuesday.

For example, he said the local board of directors has made increased school performance a strategic goal this year. The review found 88 per cent of children in care were making significant progress in school.

The team also said local staff significantly exceeded the amount of contact with their children compared to provincial averages.

He added the achievement is even more remarkable considering the provincial government has stepped up scrutiny of Children's Aid societies after the provincial auditor's damning review last December. Auditor General Jim McCarter ripped into Ontario's 53 chapters for leaving at-risk children in abusive or neglectful homes, sometimes for months, without social workers following up within proper time frames.

The Crown Ward Ministry Review team interviewed and took a fine-tooth comb to the files of 71 of the 106 permanent wards of the Algoma CAS, auditing all aspects of the child's placement according to provincial standards that measure his or her physical, emotional, social, cultural and educational well-being. That's 25 per cent higher than in past years, Baraniuk said.

The current score compares to 100 per cent awarded in the previous two years. The slightly lower compliance rate probably speaks to the "increased accountability of the province's review team," he said.

"When we measure comparatively, we're probably within the top one per cent in Ontario."

Frank Dobrovnik
May 01, 2007

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