FOSTER CARE COUNCIL OF CANADA

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED

Unfortunately, to be effective in advocating for transparency and accountability in child-welfare services, money is needed. Over the past several years we have attempted to conduct our activities without the continuous financial support of membership fees or regular donations, and our efforts, although important and effective at various levels, were seriously and negatively impacted.

Impacts of limited financial resources

The following is a list of impacts caused by not having enough resources.

• We could not afford to pay for transcripts required to proceed with an appeal in charges against the Ottawa CAS under Ontario's Corporations Act

• We almost lost our website near the end of 2011

• We could not afford photo-copying, printing and distribution of important public awareness information for ads in public transit and bus-shelters, radio, newspaper, and relevant trade and youth magazines or publications

• We often did not even have basic administrative tools such as printing-paper and toner, phone, Internet, faxing, and other basic office supplies and services.

All of these have had the effect of hindering our administrative and legal options.

"Your paid membership or your donation of money or supplies are the only way we can acheive our objectives"

- John Dunn - Executive Director

What the OACAS accomplished with financial resources

When you compare our having little to no financial resources to conduct our advocacy to that of the resources provided to the registered lobby group of Ontario's Children's Aid Societies -- the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) you will see why it is important that we have adequate resources.

Every year the OACAS spends Millions of dollars in tax-payer's money advocating against external, and undoubtedly more effective oversight mechanisms. To date the OACAS has been effective in lobbying government for exemptions from at least the following;

• Direct oversight of CASs and their staff by the independent Ombudsman via the Ombudsman Act

• Oversight by the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers via the Social Workers and Social Service Workers Act

• Oversight by the College of Registered Psychotherapists via the Psychotherapy Act

• Oversight by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario via the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

• Oversight by the public via the Corporations Act and the new amending Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

How are OACAS funded?

51 of the 53 Children's Aid Societies pay approximately $3 Million/year in annual "membership fees" to the registered lobby group (the OACAS) which enables them to meet with government officials, staff, and others to advocate for more funding, resources, and legislative changes on behalf of CASs in Ontario. As per their own published annual reports, this $3 Million in Society membership fees does not even pay for the staff salaries of the OACAS. In addition to the $3 Million per year the OACAS receives from the Societies for membership fees, the Ontario Government -- through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services -- directly transfers Millions more in public funds to the OACAS on an annual basis. See the financials near the end of the OACAS annual reports by clicking here. (Will open in a new browser or tab so you don't lose this page.)

One Way Your Fees Can Help One Former Foster Child To Help Others

One of our goals is to assist Michele Farrugia, (Pronounced Mickaylee Faroogia) a former foster child and young man who has already demonstrated years of dedication to advocating for youth in and from foster care with his dream of soon becoming a self-sustained advocate for youth in and from foster care.

With your support, we can help him realize his dream by contracting his services as a registered, in-house lobbyist for the Foster Care Council of Canada, enabling us to have an experienced youth voice recently from foster care entirely dedicated to lobbying government, universities, colleges, social work students, mental health professionals, the general public, and others to bring positive change to the way child welfare services and legislation impact the lives of children, youth, and their families.

Photo Credits: The pictures of Michele Farrugia at the Legislature and of the Council's Response to the Five-Year review of the CFSA as presented by Michele are courtesy of Peacockpoverty.org an organization founded by former foster child, Cheryl Smith