About Us
The Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin (CASDSM) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected from within the community. Programs and services are developed in response to the needs of children, youth, and families in our community.
Children’s Aid Societies are regulated by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and governed by the Ontario Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA).
The Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin strives to ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth in the community, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We partner with parents, caregivers and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.
Keeping children safe is a community responsibility.
We receive many calls each year from concerned citizens, teachers, police, other agencies, and health care professionals about children and families who may need help. Families may be facing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, ill health, domestic violence, or mental health issues. Some families just need parenting support. When a family needs support, we link them to a variety of community services. Together, with community service colleagues, we work with children and families for a stronger, healthier community.
Under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, Children’s Aid Societies are mandated to:
- Investigate allegations or evidence that children under the age of 18 may be in need of protection
- Protect children where necessary
- Provide guidance, counselling, and other services to families for protecting children or preventing circumstances requiring the protection of children
- Provide care and supervision for children assigned or committed to its care
- Facilitate the adoption process for children when needed
We believe that children belong with their families and our work is done with families and children in their own homes.
For children and teens who are unable to safely remain in their own home, or have no parent or guardian available, we ensure they are placed in a safe and caring environment with members of their extended family (kin), family friends, or a foster caregiver. Many of the children who come to foster families have experienced some form of abuse or neglect and need a loving, stable environment to help them recover from their experience. We provide ongoing support to children in care and their kinship or foster caregivers.
Children’s Aid Society also facilitates public adoptions for children and youth.
Mission & Vision
Mission
Working in partnership for children and youth to have safe and supportive families.
Vision
Children, youth and families succeeding together.
Values
Respect
The recognition that everyone is unique and, as a right, entitled to be treated in a manner that promotes the dignity and equality of each other, the families, children and youth we service and our community as a whole.
Inclusivity
The commitment to include people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized by race, class, gender, abilities, gender identity, age, etc. The act of striving to empower people to have their voices heard, to remove individual and systemic barriers to enhance participation, achieve equity and better outcomes for each other, the children and youth we service and our community as a whole.
Accountability
Everyone is equally responsible to voice and empower change, to own and acknowledge decisions, actions and inactions while recognizing our collective commitment to living the values with each other, the families, children and youth we service and our community as a whole.
Integrity
The quality of being honest, open, transparent with ethical standards toward each other, the families, children and youth we service and our community as a whole.
Kindness
Displays of politeness, active listening, courtesy, communication and caring to make a positive and practical difference to the lives of each other, the families, children and youth we service and our community as a whole. Being kind does not mean giving up one’s beliefs or values. It is simply a matter of adapting one’s behaviour to make it more pleasing to others.
