Could money woes put Ontario children at risk?

Ontario children's aid societies are facing such severe cash woes that layoffs and bankruptcies are looming. These money problems will see more backlogs in cases that involve the safety and protection of children.

The Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies could have to close their doors December 16. Layoff notices have been sent to 120 staff members with the Payukotayno James and Hudson Bay Family Services. The York Region Children's Aid Society already fired 18 employees last week because of money problems. It is possible that another 16 jobs will be on the chopping with Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services in the coming days. Children's aid societies have worked to protect children since 1912. The societies promote child welfare issues including the training of all protection workers that deal with children in Ontario. They survive by membership fees, grants from the governments along with revenue producing activities. This year the societies are receiving $23 million less than 2008 in funding from the government. These cut backs have had the CAS unable to meet the mandatory standards when it comes to providing care for the province's most vulnerable residents, its children. If the doors close so do the services Ontario's abused and neglected rely on.