The economic downturn has forced both the private and public sector to find efficiencies given dwindling revenues, and this is no different for child welfare. In September, the government appointed a Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare to find better ways to do business while improving outcomes for the children and youths receiving services.

So how do we build a sustainable child welfare system in Ontario? I believe that a sustainable child welfare system must be accountable to the Standards of service set by funders. It must also demonstrate efficiencies through a service-delivery model that leverages resources and maximizes community partnerships towards common outcomes.

The Children’s Aid Society of Algoma’s Strategic Goals encompass this approach by stating:
The Society will meet its statutory obligation to deliver child welfare services and will do so in a fiscally responsible, sustainable, and accountable manner. Our Society continued to demonstrate one of the highest levels of compliance to Ministry Crown Ward Review audits in the province, scoring 95.2% this year. Algoma’s average Crown Ward Review compliance rate over the last 5 years has been 95%, well above the provincial average. We also continued to demonstrate financial efficiency by having the lowest overall unit costs for service in our region.

........To read Mr. Baraniuk’s complete report as well as the President’s report please click on 2009-2010 Annual Report