This policy directive is issued to Children and Family Services for York Region, operating as York Region Children’s Aid Society, under s. 42 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA).

Effective date

This policy directive will come into effect on July 31, 2020.

Requirements

Children and Family Services for York Region (“the society”) is directed to:

  1. Cooperate fully with the ministry of Children, Community and Society Services (the Ministry) in the Ministry’s conduct of an operational review that will include, but not be limited to the following:
    1. Assessment of the society’s compliance with requirements in the CYFSA, its regulations, and directives issued under the CYFSA;
    2. Assessment of workplace culture, including leadership, alleged bullying and harassment of staff, and the diversity and inclusivity of the workplace environment;
    3. Assessment of the society’s change management strategies, particularly with respect to communications, management of change fatigue, and accommodations for staff;
    4. Assessment of the society’s human resources policies and procedures, and the effectiveness of the society’s human resources strategy in the delivery of child protection services; and
    5. Assessment of the society’s Human Resources Wellness Framework.
  2. To make available to the public the final report of the operational review immediately after it is provided to the society.
  3. Within 30 days of receiving the final report of the operation review, to submit a workplan to the ministry which sets out the actions that the society will take in response to the findings and recommendations arising from the Operational Review.
  4. Upon receiving ministry approval of the workplan referenced above, the society shall immediately make the workplan available to the public.
  5. Take steps to ensure that the appropriate governance and leadership structures are in place to permit the society to adequately support and comply with the operational review process, and implement any corrective actions required to respond to the findings and recommendations of the operation review.
  6. Provide regular updates to the ministry, as requested by the ministry, throughout the operational review process, the development of the work plan, and the subsequent implementation of actions and deliverables identified in the work plan.
  7. By August 14, 2020, provide the ministry with a workplan to implement the One Vision, One Voice protocols developed by the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, and once the workplan has been approved by the Ministry, to implement those protocols in accordance with the workplan.
  8. Immediately terminate the retainer with the communications firm that was retained by the society in May/June 2020.
  9. By August 7, 2020, provide the ministry with all documentation, including correspondence, prepared and received by the society and the society’s board of directors regarding the procurement process for the communications firm that was retained by the society in May/June 2020.

Issuance of policy directive CW006-2020: July 31, 2020

David Remington
Assistant Deputy Minister
Child Welfare and Protection Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services