Community Capacity Building Program

• To reduce children, youth and families’ involvement in the child welfare system.
• Provide more equitable access to community services for children and families.
• Enhance connections between Children’s Aid Societies and community programs.

The expectations in terms of program results include the following:

• Reduce the future need for society involvement where possible.
• Improve outcomes for children and youth in need of protection as determined by Children’s Aid Societies (such as safety, permanency, and well-being).

Building a trusting and supportive relationship with a caseworker can be a critical catalyst for at risk families to be able to access the supports they need and move towards achieving their plan of care and life stabilization goals. Each caseworker uses a flexible and personalized approach. They work closely with families and their support system to set goals, identify barriers, and develop a concrete action plan.

Caseworkers have extensive experience working with at risk families and youth. They have established relationships with Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFSGE) staff and many community agencies that also offer support.

• Child Welfare Clients requiring/receiving Service: Children, youth and families who have come to the attention and been assessed by a society as requiring a child welfare intervention through child welfare eligibility and risk assessment tools. This client group also includes children, youth and families receiving ongoing protection services from a society, including those receiving kinship service and children in customary care placements.
• Children in Care: Children and youth in interim and extended society care, and those with other legal status children, may be receiving residential services including in group or family-based care. The latter includes foster care, kinship care and custody (guardianship) arrangements.
• Referred Clients: Children, youth and families who have been referred or come to the attention of a society but have been assessed through the use of standard child welfare eligibility and risk assessment tools as not requiring child welfare intervention at the time.
• Child Welfare Children and Youth Transitioning from Care: Children and youth in transition from child welfare services, including youth on Continued Care and Support for Youth, those returning home, as well as those moving on to adoption or other permanent living arrangements.
• At-Risk Communities: Children, youth and families who are at demonstrated risk of coming to the attention of a Children’s Aid Society. For example, known risk factors for involvement with the child welfare include, domestic violence, few social supports, mental health challenges, and substance use/abuse. There may be groups of clients and/or geographically defined communities where there is a documented increased risk of them experiencing abuse or neglect.