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Durham Children’s Aid Society is non-profit, community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect.
Durham Children’s Aid Society strives to ensure the safety and well-being of the community’s children and youth, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through culturally-competent services, with the support of the community, we help parents and caregivers build healthy families and provide a safe environment for children and youth.
Call us. We are here to help. We are available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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We are hiring! We are currently seeking to hire a Supervisor, Indigenous Affirming Engagement and Outcomes.
The Supervisor, Indigenous Affirming Engagement and Outcomes is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to the development and implementation of an agency-wide approach that centers Indigenous inherent and treaty rights, and actively works to achieve current and future legislative and Indigenous practice requirements and commitments as per the direction and/or collaboration of local First Nations, Métis, Inuit communities, community partners, advisors and staff through our duty to consult.
See durhamcas.ca/careers for more details.
On this Dress Purple Day, our staff are wearing purple as a symbol of caring and collaboration. Protecting children is a community responsibility; we need your help to ensure every child’s right to safety and wellbeing. In addition to physical safety, we must also work to ensure all youth are supported in their community and that we protect their rights and honour their identities. Helping children and youth develop strong connections can lessen their vulnerability and can help them recognize where to turn when they need support. One of the many ways you can be that help is by becoming a volunteer or foster caregiver. Please contact us to get involved.
#DressPurpleDay #DPD2025 #DurhamRegion
Dress Purple Day is a campaign to raise awareness about the supports and services available in communities across Ontario. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of community-based organizations, service providers, teachers and healthcare professionals working to provide early intervention and prevention services to children, youth, and families that may need some support. The campaign also reminds children and youth that they have rights to safety and well-being in all spaces, including at home, at school, and in their community. Today we are wearing purple as a reminder for children and youth that they are not alone. We show them that a strong network of caring adults and community resources is ready to support them and their families. Learn how you can help at https://durhamcas.ca/help/
#DressPurpleDay #DPD2025 #DressPurple #CommunitySupport
Have a safe and happy long weekend. If you have a concern about a child our youth at risk, you can reach us 24/7 at 905-433-1551.
Have a safe and happy long weekend. If you have a concern about a child our youth at risk, you can reach us 24/7 at 905-433-1551.
There is an urgent need for foster homes in Durham Region. Join us at an upcoming info session to learn how you can help. Our next info session is virtual — no need to drive to a meeting!
Even if fostering isn`t right for you at this time, you can help by sharing this urgent message. How will you be There to Care?
#FosterCare #Fostering #ThereToCare
Our strategic plan for 2025 to 2030, `From Insight to Action` is now available on our website. This plan was developed through extensive consultation with staff, families, youth, board members and community partners. As part of this process, we also updated our agency Vision and Mission. These are not just words; this are our commitment to continually learn and evolve to ensure that children are safe and families are supported.
A huge thank you to Bhavana Varma who guided us in the strategic planning process. Your insight, patience, and dedication were fundamental to the success of this process. We thank you for helping us distill the extensive consultations with such clarity and wisdom into the final strategic plan.
#StrategicPlanning #StrategicPlan #Community #DurhamRegion #CommunityEngagement
https://durhamcas.ca/publications/
https://bhavanavarma.ca/
In our strategic plan, we have emphasized our commitment to ethical and innovative leadership, as well as to community-centred partnerships. One way we are fulfilling this commitment is through our collaboration with Egale Canada.
We recently had the honour of presenting Egale Canada with a community partner recognition award for their partnership with us on customized training focused on working with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Egale staff were extremely helpful, creative, and passionate in developing this training, which was tailored to meet the specific needs of the child welfare sector and enhance our capacity.
Building on the success of this partnership, we are pleased to announce that the program is now being developed for province-wide delivery.
Thank you to Mark Fellion, who joined us to accept the award on behalf of Egale. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.
#2SLGBTQIA+ #2SLGBTQ #Egale #equity #inclusion #ChildWelfare #DurhamRegion #EthicalLeadership #CommunityPartnerships #InnovativeLeadership #EgaleCanada
October is Canadian Islamic History Month, first proclaimed by the Canadian government in 2007. This month honours the rich history and significant contributions of Muslim communities across Canada.
Let’s take this opportunity to learn about and share the history of Islam in Canada, and to recognize the achievements of Muslim Canadians in the arts, community service, sports, academia, science, literature, and within local communities.
This is also a time to foster compassion and inclusion, as we learn about and discuss ongoing challenges faced by Muslim Canadians.
#MuslimHistoryMonth #MHM #MuslimHeritage #DurhamRegion
We have an urgent need for foster caregivers. Join us for an upcoming info session to learn how you can help.
#FosterCare #ThereToCare #DurhamRegion
Today, our staff gathered for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, and ideally every day, we reflect on the lasting harm of residential schools and the continued impact of the child welfare system on Indigenous families and communities. Our staff gathered to share very personal stories and their own commitment to learning, sharing and growing.
This day is also known as ‘Orange Shirt Day’; we encourage everyone to wear orange to affirm that Every Child Matters and acknowledge the trauma experienced by generations of Indigenous children. The orange shirt represents the stripping away of culture and forced assimilation of Indigenous children through the residential schools. Wearing an orange shirt is a symbolic step towards reconciliation and building stronger relationships.
#trc #truthandreconciliation #JordansPrinciple #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour survivors and those who never returned from residential schools, along with their families and communities who have been impacted by this legacy.
Commemoration of the tragic, painful history and the ongoing impact of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. This day is dedicated to fostering understanding and promoting healing, a time for us to listen and learn about the traumatic loss of culture, freedom and language experienced by Indigenous communities.
We are committed to sharing the truth about our collective past and the harm that the child welfare system has caused. As residential schools were closed, child welfare services became more intrusive in Indigenous communities. The removal of thousands of Indigenous children from their homes, families, and communities became known as the Sixties Scoop. The child welfare is the successor of the residential school system.
The impact of the child welfare system on Indigenous children and families has been profound. Indigenous children continue to be disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, often facing separation from their families and communities. This has led to further trauma and disruption of cultural connections. As an agency dedicated to continuous improvement, we are actively working to transform our practices.
#TRC #TruthandReconciliation #ChildWelfare #JordansPrinciple #OrangeShirtDay