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.
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To Cancel Membership
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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?
Children's Aid Societies in Ontario pay approximately $3 Million/year in annual "membership fees" to the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Socieites (OACAS), which is a registered lobby/lobbyist group enabling the OACAS to meet with government officials, staff, and others in their efforts to advocate for more funding, resources, and legislative changes on behalf of their members, the CASs in Ontario.
According to the OACAS's 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.)
How To Support Us
There are a variety of ways you can support us in our work to achieve our mission, some of which are listed below.
Join our Discussion Board
Have something to share about child welfare or want to become active in advocating for change? Join our discussion board at fostercare.proboards.com
Apply for Membership
Use the Paypal information on our membership page to subscribe to a membership level of your choice. Then contact John Dunn at johndunn@afterfostercare.ca or call 613-709-3866 for further details on membership. If you wish to send a one-time cheque or money order to support our work, feel free to click on our Contact Us page for our mailing address.
Supplies/Gift Cards
You can send gift cards from Walmart, Staples, Tim Hortons (in case we host a meeting) or where ever you want by mailing them to us at the address on our "Contact Us" page.
Charitable Restrictions
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not deem lobbying the government for legislative changes a 'Charitable Purpose'.
Because of this Federally imposed limitation, we have chosen NOT to become a registered charity in order to continue advocating for much needed legislative changes.
Consequently, we can not issue tax-receipts for donations.
See related CRA Info here