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YORK REGION CAS FALL NEWSLETTER |OCTOBER 2022 |
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Thriving children Resilient families Caring communities
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to York Region Children’s Aid Society’s community newsletter. Having had the privilege of serving as the CEO of York Region CAS for one year now, I endeavor to continue working diligently to bringing more connections to you, our community partners. One way of doing this is by creating a community newsletter.
We plan to share this quarterly newsletter to provide you with updates on what is happening at York Region CAS. I take this opportunity to thank you, our community partners who continue to work with us to achieve our mutual goal of ensuring that children and their wellbeing are at the center of everything that we do. Our approach to community partnerships is closely aligned to the African concept of Ubuntu which infers that we are who we are because of the communities that we serve, and they are who they are because of us. We can only thrive if we have mutual social health.
York Region CAS is revamping our community outreach strategy to enhance and strengthen our work by building and creating more key partnerships and continuing key discussions. This is one of the ways we will build up a stronger community.
Your comments and/or suggestions are always welcomed, and we look forward to hearing from you via our mailbox communications@yorkcas.org.
Sincerely,
Ginelle Skerritt
CEO, York Region CAS
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Foster Family Appreciation Week | | |
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To mark the beginning of Foster Family Appreciation Week, we have sent a heartfelt thank you to our Foster and Kinship Care families for their invaluable contributions and the critical role that they play in the lives of children, youth, and families in our community.
We hope you can become allies in our quest to recruit new foster parents through Each One Reach One campaign initiative by referring a family or couple that you might know, as we are always accepting applications for new foster families from different backgrounds!
Read more...
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On September 27th, our CEO, Ginelle Skerritt, and Senior Administrative Assistant, Diana Horrex, met with CGI IT and Business Consulting Services Firm, leaders from Durham Children's Aid Foundation, and Community Center 55, for a video shoot regarding an upcoming CGI fundraising initiative called the Holiday Wish program, which has 28 years of rich history.
CGI staff have graciously been donating between $7-13K annually to York Region Children’s Fund, along with in-kind donations (recently gift cards) for the holiday season.
Ginelle highlighted the positive impact that the CGI fundraising initiative has had on families, young adults and seniors within our communities.
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The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed on September 30, 2022. This day of honoring and remembering coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which provide an opportunity to honor First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples, their families, and communities.
It allows us to honor Survivors and intergenerational Survivors, and to remember those children who never made it home from residential schools. September 30 is important, but only a single step on a long path ahead.
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From September 26th to 30th, York Region CAS Honouring Indigenous Commitments Committee hosted events focused on Truth and Reconciliation, to provide our staff with opportunities for learning and reflection. We also joined other local initiatives in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
This year’s theme was “Remembering the Children.”
Read more...
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York Region CAS Staff, Foster Parents, and Volunteer Appreciation Event
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On September 21, 2022, on a beautiful fall day, York Region CAS held an Appreciation event to honour staff, volunteers, and foster parents. For many, it was the first-time meeting each other in person! Many service awards were given on that day. Thanks to all our donors for contributing to gifts, entertainment, and food!
We continue to honour our staff, volunteers and foster parents and are committed to working together for the good of children, youth, and families that we serve.
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Remembering this year's Pride month.
On June 1st, we had our official flag raising ceremony. Words of support were offered by Ginelle Skerritt as our CEO and by Andrew Harrigan as President of the Local. Two days later, we were able to physically raise the flag to demonstrate to the community that we recognize, support, and honour the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We were able to capture some video footage of the physical raising of the flag. Other activities included Virtual Drag Queen Bingo which everyone enjoyed tremendously.
Read more...
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During this year's Kinship Awareness Week, we took this annual opportunity to thank and acknowledge the dedication, love, and support they provide to children and youth. Handwritten thank you cards were also mailed to all our Kinship Service Providers.
Throughout Kinship Awareness Week, we shared some good news stories from Kin Services staff acknowledging the week and highlighting the important work done by York Region CAS agency’s kinship service families.
Read More...
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York Region CAS BLACC Committee | | |
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Established in the Fall of 2020 – York Region CAS BLACC (Black, Latency, Adolescent and Continued Care) Committee is dedicated to supporting the organizational commitment to ensuring that the well-being, cultural identity, familial and community connectedness for Black children, youth in care and young adults (CCSY), are achieved with equitable outcomes.
On September 23rd, 2022, the Committee offered a Hair Story program to Black and Black Biracial youth and their Caregivers. The Hair Story program is designed to bring an affirming message to Black and Black Bi-racial youth about their hair, appearance and self-esteem.
Presentations were provided as a wonderful opportunity for the youth AND their caregivers to gain practical knowledge about Black hair and skin, as well as how to provide daily care and maintenance with appropriate products, and styling techniques.
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York Region CAS is preparing to implement the Signs of Safety, a participatory and collaborative practice model that places families and everyone connected to the child at the center of assessment, decision making and planning and promotes equitable and inclusive practices and service delivery.
What is Signs of Safety?
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York Region CAS Child Protection Services | | |
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York Region CAS Child Protection Services promote the best interests, protection and well-being of children by working with community and building on the strengths inherent in every family. Working with families and communities to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect is critical to ensuring that children can reach their full potential, free from physical and emotional harm.
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Some of the highlights that York Region CAS Child Protection Services Department has recently engaged in in partnership with the community include:
- Expectant Families Circle of Care Committee
- Intimate Partner Violence & Family Violence Team
- York Region Center for Community Safety
- Intake Screening: Changing how we work
- York Support Services Network (YSSN) & Children’s Case Coordination
Read more...pg 5
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We Launched Our New Website! |
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This past June, we launched our new website with new, easy-to-use features and updated documen
Visit our website
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What's Happening at York Region CAS:
Listed below are some upcoming activities and events at our agency.
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York Regions CAS will observe Dress Purple Day on October 27, 2022, to focus on bringing awareness to the early help and supportive services available to families facing challenges, and the rights of child and youth to safety and well-being in all spaces.
Read more...p6
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ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH
November is Adoption Awareness Month. Our adoption team work diligently to find and support adoptive families for children and youth in care.
To recognize Adoption Awareness Month, York Region CAS Strategy, Quality and Innovation department will highlight the month on the agency website and on social media, and will work with the Adoption team to share good news stories with staff.
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YOUTH HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
We will be hosting our annual holiday event this year-end to celebrate York Region CAS youth in care!
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