Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
CTV
Last week, Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas told the Ontario Legislature about a mother in her riding who gave up guardianship of her eight-year-old, high-needs daughter to the Children’s Aid Society (CAS).
Last week, Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas told the Ontario Legislature about a mother in her riding who gave up guardianship of her eight-year-old, high-needs daughter to the Children’s Aid Society (CAS).
The family could not get the support they needed to properly – and safely -- care for the child, forcing the mother to make the heartbreaking decision.
Gelinas said she’s advocating to see the return of community-based children’s agencies rather than parents receiving funds to access private, for-profit services.
"We have tried to help her at every step of the way, but the Ford government changed the system," she said.
At one time, Gelinas said parents could access care based on their needs. Now you get funding to pay for private care to look after high-needs children.
"That doesn't work in northern Ontario," she said.
Gelinas said she knows of three families in Nickel Belt alone who have given up guardianship to the CAS after exhausting all other avenues for care.
