A Message from Sally Johnson

I am pleased to share that I officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of York Region Children’s Aid Society on March 16, 2026. It is a privilege to join this Agency and work alongside dedicated staff, caregivers, volunteers, and community partners in support of children, youth, and families across York Region.

I extend my sincere thanks to Laura Davidson for her exceptional leadership as Acting CEO over the past year. Her steady guidance during this transition has been invaluable. I am also grateful to Kim Sylvester, Acting Director of Service, and Alexandra Perley, Acting Manager of Service, for their leadership and commitment in supporting the Agency during this period.

I bring more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in Ontario’s child welfare sector, most recently as Executive Director of Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, with prior senior roles at the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

As I begin this role, my focus is on listening, learning, and building trusted relationships—particularly with communities over‑represented in the child welfare system—so we can continue strengthening equitable, accessible supports that promote wellbeing across our region.

I look forward to working together as we move forward and encourage you to reach out with any questions or support needs at communications@yorkcas.org.

Sincerely, 

Sally Johnson

Together in Care - The Power of Foster Families at York Region CAS

Join longtime foster parents Janet Seow and Deanna Dent (alongside her children), as they share their experiences, reflections, and the meaningful moments that have shaped their fostering journeys with York Region CAS. Click Here to watch the video.

Their dedication and the strong, supportive connections they’ve built with children and youth demonstrates the profound impact foster families make every day in our community. We are proud to highlight their voices as part of our continued efforts to bring greater awareness to fostering and encourage others to consider opening their hearts and homes.

If you’d like to learn more, join us at our Foster Care Information Session on May 26, 2026, from 7-8 p.m. You can register by emailing: fostering@yorkcas.org

Strengthening Community Partnerships

York Region Children’s Aid Society is renewing service agreements with our valued community partners: Your Support Services Network (YSSN), Mackenzie Health’s Centre for Behavioural Sciences Mobile Behaviour Treatment Team (MBTT), and Yellow Brick House (YBH).

These partnerships strengthen access to critical services and supports for children and youth with complex needs, their families, and individuals experiencing family violence. Together, we are working to enhance safety, wellbeing, and positive outcomes across our community.

We are pleased to continue this important work in collaboration with our partners.

Safeguarding Futures: Embedding Privacy in the Modern Child Welfare Landscape

York Region CAS partnered with Durham Children’s Aid Society to host the second annual Privacy Symposium, Safeguarding Futures: Embedding Privacy in the Modern Child Welfare Landscape.

We were pleased to welcome more than 180 child welfare professionals, privacy experts, and sector partners who joined us for a day of thoughtful dialogue and shared learning. The symposium reinforced that privacy in child welfare is about more than compliance – it is relational, personal, and grounded in respect.

York Region CAS Walks in Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser 2026

On February 28, 2026, staff from York Region CAS bundled up once again to participate in the annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraising walk in support of Blue Door.

This family‑friendly national event raises awareness and funds for local charities supporting individuals facing hurt, hunger, and housing insecurity. By choosing to walk in the cold, participants gained a small glimpse into the challenges experienced by unhoused community members throughout the winter months.

From Insights to Impacts: CYFSA - Part X Workshop

York Region CAS was proud to participate in the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario’s From Insights to Impacts workshop series on April 1, 2026, focused on Part X of the CYFSA.

Our Agency’s Director of Legal Services, Alison Moonsie Mohan, joined a dynamic panel of sector voices tasked with identifying practical solutions to real-world challenges faced by practitioners.

On Air with 102.7 CHOP FM - Pickering College

In January, our Manager of Service (Resources), Kim Sylvester, joined 102.7 CHOP FM for Speaking for Safety—a Pickering College student‑led podcast focused on child protection, youth wellbeing, and community responsibility. Hosted by Grade 12 student Vera P., the show amplifies voices creating positive change and encourages open, honest conversations about how safety, trust, and support are built.

Thank you to Vera and Pickering College for giving us the opportunity to share valuable information about our Agency and our work on such a meaningful platform.

Superheroes Take the Plunge for Special Olympics

The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics is an exhilarating fundraising event that challenges individuals, organizations, and businesses to take a bold leap into icy waters in support of an important cause. Participants, known as Plungers, collect sponsorships for their brave dive, with funds going directly toward Special Olympics programs. For the 2026 Polar Plunge, York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) proudly joined York Regional Police (YRP) for another unforgettable plunge. Inspired by the theme SUPER HEROES, our teams helped support YRP in raising an incredible $75,000 for Special Olympics.

Children and Youth in Care Day

May 14 is Children and Youth in Care Day – a day that serves as an opportunity to honour the strength, resilience, and contributions of children and youth in and from care.

Established through the advocacy of young people and formalized by the Ontario government in 2014, this day acknowledges the unique challenges faced by children and youth in care and highlights the importance of community support in their lives.

Join us on May 14 in showing children and youth in and from care they belong and are part of a community!

Foster Care Comfort Kits Supporting Youth in Our Community

Thank You to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada!

York Region Children’s Aid Society and York Region Children’s Fund (YRCF) is proud and grateful to share that we have successfully received a grant from the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAFC) as part of the 2025–2026 Ted and Loretta Rogers Foster Care Comfort Kit Program. Through this generous funding, YRCF received a total of 40 Foster Care Comfort Kits, designed to support children and youth as they enter foster care.

Make a Difference in Your Community - Donate to the York Region Children's Fund Today!

The York Region Children’s Fund is committed to enhancing the lives of children and youth in the care and protection of York Region Children’s Aid Society.

With the community’s support, York Region Children’s Fund helps provide vital childhood enrichment, educational support, and compassionate aid that improves the quality of life for children and youth in our community who have faced abuse, neglect or other threats to their wellbeing. Click Here to learn more.

York Region Children's Aid Society's Youth Advisory Council

Established in 2022, the York Region CAS Youth Advisory Council was created to help provide direct youth voice to the activities, programs and changes occurring within the Agency. The Council's mission is to ensure that the voice of youth are included in all aspects of decision-making.

Click Here to learn more about the Youth Advisory Council and some of the impactful projects that they have worked on.

York Region CAS Celebrates and Honours Black History Month

During Black History Month, York Region CAS celebrated the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black leaders, artists, innovators, and everyday changemakers who shaped history and continue to influence our future. We honoured successes, acknowledged struggles, and committed to learning, listening, and uplifting Black voices.



Our Agency’s Black Staff Advisory Council also hosted a Chai & Chat session featuring guest speakers highlighting the theme Thriving Communities / Each One Teach One.

Throughout February and beyond, we encourage our community to learn, participate, and celebrate the richness of Black history, culture, and joy.

York Region CAS BLACC Committee Hosts Hair Story Event to Kick Off Black History Month



On January 30, the York Region CAS BLACC Committee proudly hosted Hair Story, a vibrant and culturally affirming event celebrating Black identity, hair, self-care, and self-expression at our Agency’s head office in Newmarket. The gathering was offered for Black-identifying and biracial children and youth, as well as foster parents, kinship and adoptive families, allies and staff. Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful conversations about hair care and self-care, explored the cultural significance of Black hair, and enjoyed opportunities for haircuts.

York Region CAS Wears Pink in Honour of Pink Shirt Day



To commemorate Pink Shirt Day, York Region CAS staff wore pink as a collective call to action to help end bullying in all its forms. 

Bullying can deeply impact individuals, families, and communities—affecting mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and social well‑being.

By wearing pink, we hope to encourage conversations about the harmful effects of bullying and highlight the importance of fostering kindness and inclusion in every part of our lives.

Recognizing National Social Work Month and Social Work Week 2026



Throughout March, York Region CAS proudly joined the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) in celebrating National Social Work Month and Social Work Week, taking place from March 2–8, 2026. This annual recognition highlighted the essential contributions social workers make across Ontario in schools, healthcare, community agencies, child protection, and beyond.

To all the social workers and child protection workers at our Agency and beyond — thank you for your tireless efforts and for being the voice of change!

Adoption Information Session

Adoption is a meaningful journey to provide a lifelong commitment to a child or youth. If adoption and permanency for a child or youth is something that you have thought about or have questions, the adoption and permanency team at York Region CAS would like to invite you to our next virtual information session on May 12th, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.



Our information session will provide insight around the needs of the children and youth we support, current trends and other important adoption-related topics. There will be time to ask questions and connect with adoption and permanency staff from York Region CAS.

Mindful Kids Wellness Program

From March 4, 2026 to April 1, 2026, York Region CAS ran the second session of the Mindful Kids Wellness Program, a trauma-informed mindfulness program designed specifically for children and youth aged 6 to 18 who are receiving support from our Agency. The sessions ran once a week for five weeks at our Leslie Street office in Newmarket. York Region CAS staff facilitators and support staff guided 28 children and youth through mindfulness-based activities such as mindful walking, breathing exercises, positive self-talk, and listening to music, mindfully. The staff learned just as much as our children and youth!

Make Waves in Your Community - One Drive at a Time

Volunteers Make Waves is more than a saying—it’s a powerful reminder that one person can create a ripple effect that touches countless lives. Right now, York Region CAS is looking to grow our pool of volunteer drivers, and we invite you to help us spread the word.

Volunteer drivers play a vital role in supporting the children, youth, and families we serve. Time and again, our drivers tell us how meaningful this role is: being a familiar face, a trusted presence, and a compassionate support during moments that can feel overwhelming or chaotic. It’s truly a volunteer opportunity unlike any other.

York Region CAS Speakers Bureau

The Speakers Bureau provides free educational presentations to professionals and community groups that work directly with children and youth.

The Duty to Report and Support presentation explains how Children’s Aid Societies partner with community organizations to strengthen family well-being and promote child safety. It outlines our shared responsibility to support families and keep children safe, including the legal duty to report concerns about a child’s well-being to a Children’s Aid Society.

Heroes Needed! Become a Foster Parent Today!

York Region CAS continues to recruit for foster homes, and your urgent help is needed. We are looking for caring families in our community to open their homes to children and youth in need of temporary placement. By becoming a foster parent, you can make a lasting difference-helping kids stay connected to their families, schools, and the York region community.

Let’s work together to keep kids close to home. We urgently need homes from York region’s many diverse communities and/or homes for teens. If you or someone you know is interested in fostering, please visit http://www.yorkcas.org/foster-caregivers/

You can also reach out by email to: fostering@yorkcas.org or phone 905-895-2318 to learn more.

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If you have any suggestions on how we can work better with you, our community partners, please email:

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