Archived News
January 22, 2024
September 28, 2022
SafeCare Accreditation
Congratulations on implementing SafeCare with the highest standards! It is our pleasure to approve your SafeCare Accreditation for June 2022 to May 2023. The NSTRC appreciates your agency’s hard work to maintain the implementation standards of SafeCare and want to thank you for taking time to participate in the SafeCare Accreditation process.
Take the Pledge
An entire generation of kids is at risk if they don’t receive the mental health care they so urgently need. Prior to the pandemic, over 28,000 Ontario children and youth were waiting up to 2.5 years for mental health care. The pandemic has exacerbated what we already knew—that kids are in crisis.
This provincial election, join us in calling on all Ontario political parties to take the pledge to make Ontario the #1 jurisdiction for kids' mental health services
Understanding Child Welfare in Ontario
Child and Youth Mental Health
Virtual Session Demo
KRRCFS offices are currently closed to the public due to Covid-19, however, our Children's Mental Health Program is offering virtual sessions. Virtual sessions can be done by video, phone, or chat. What does a video session look like? Take a look at this great video for a demonstration! Give us a call for further information and to access services
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies in Ontario ARE continuing their child protection services. We are NOT closed. Although agencies across the province have modified their business practices to respond to health and safety concerns, their core protection services continue. If any member of the public or professional have a concern about the safety and/or well-being of a child or youth under 18, they should immediately contact their local Children’s Aid Societies or Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agency. A list of local contact information for these agencies are available here: http://www.oacas.org/childrens-aid-child-protection/locate-a-childrens-aid-society/
Thank you for the Donations
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services would like to extend their appreciation to members of our community that have generously provided donations to our Agency. Thank you to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Hill Family Grant, Enbridge Gas, and the Moffat Fund, and to all of those who continue to support children and families. We greatly appreciate your support.
June 29, 2022
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Place: Virtual via BlueJeans
Cameron Bay Children’s Centre
820 Lakeview Drive, Kenora, ON
• Receiving and considering the annual report and financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022 and the report of the auditors thereon;
• Appointing auditors; and
• Transacting such further and other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
May 26,2022
KRRDCFS Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services is closing all six of its office locations: Atikokan, Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake. This office closure will take effect on March 17, 2020 and continue until at least April 5, 2020. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of the families, youth and children we serve, our community members and our employees.
1. The Kenora office reception will remain open to receive urgent messages at 1-800-465-1100 (toll-free) or 807-467-5437.
2. Messages will be relayed to the appropriate personnel. All KRRDCFS staff not away on vacation will continue to be available by telephone and email. Arrangements will be made to have mail checked on a regular basis. Our Management Team will meet at least twice a week to continue to monitor and assess the situation.
3. Core Child Welfare teams will continue to operate in each office community and respond to urgent needs. If a referral received requires a field visit due to child protection matters, workers will exercise cautionary measures.
4. We want to ensure you that our Child and Youth Mental Health Team remains dedicated to supporting children and families in the Rainy River District. We understand that the rapidly changing circumstances resulting from COVID-19 virus can be stressful to child and caregivers alike. Although in person sessions are on hold at this time, if you require support, please contact our toll-free number as above. Same day sessions by telephone can be arranged for youth and caregivers and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Suicide Risk response will continue to be available 24/7.
5. All non-essential face to face contacts, family visits, therapy appointments and home visits will be postponed until further notice. Contacts, visits and appointments can be maintained by telephone, email, FaceTime, Skype or using any technology that we can make available to the families, youth and children we service. Court appointed visits will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
6. All payments will continue without interruption.
7. For reliable and up-to-date information, we suggest the following resources:
Ontario Ministry of Health (updated twice daily, 7 days a week)
Your local Public Health Unit for community-specific information
Coronavirus and First Nations communities (Public Service Announcements available in Indigenous languages)
Government of Canada – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update
We will continue to keep everyone informed. Please be safe, take care of yourself and support family and friends.
Sincerely,
William Leonard, BA, BSW, MSW (Clinical), RSW
Executive Director
COVID 19 UPDATE FOR December 8, 2021
Please note that the Kenora KRRDCFS offices are now open to the public. All COVID-19 safety protocols apply. The other offices will remain closed to the public until further notice. Please call 1-800-465-1100 or call the local office directly at:
Kenora 807-467-5437
Sioux Lookout/Dryden 807-223-5325
Atikokan 807-597-2700
Red Lake 807-727-2165
Fort Frances 807-274-7787
Social Work Week in Ontario
March 7 to 13 is Social Work Week in Ontario. KRR recognizes the essential contributions of social workers in child protection. The pandemic has placed an immense burden on every aspect of our work, and our lives. Across Ontario, social workers in child protection have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety, well-being and mental health of our communities’ most vulnerable children and families. The Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) is leading a campaign to recognize and celebrate social workers across Ontario. We have placed an OASW message on our KRR website banner recognizing social workers in our communities. Thank you for all that you do…
Vince Kastrukoff
Director of Services (child welfare)
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2022/2023
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Cameron Bay Children’s Centre (Board Room – A15), commencing at 5:00 p.m. It is our hope that you will demonstrate your interest in the Society by purchasing a membership and attending this meeting.
Membership Application
The Society Membership is for the period from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. This membership allows you to vote at our annual Meeting. To be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting, your membership must be paid as of the official Record Date. The record date has been established as May 24, 2022, which is thirty days in advance of our annual general meeting of members. Should you wish to purchase a membership, please complete the form and return it, along with the assessment of membership dues in the amount of $2.00 (Two Dollars) to the office, care of the Executive Assistant at:
Cameron Bay Children’s Centre
820 Lakeview Drive
Kenora, ON P9N 3P7
Your membership would be appreciated and we thank you for your interest in the Society.
Additional membership forms can be obtained from each office. Please feel free to recruit membership from within your community and associated collateral agencies.
March 7, 2022
Adopt an Angel
Every year, for the past 18 years, the Fort Frances office has organized “Adopt- an -Angel”.
The program was initially intended for children in care to receive an additional gift under the tree. The program has blossomed into a district- wide community event that benefits all children/youth in the who are nominated by any service.
This year over 150 children and families benefited from the program.
A huge thank you to Kari Petrin, and everyone else who has assisted by picking up gifts, setting up or taking down trees, and delivering the massive amount of donations to the various offices.
This isn’t an easy job, but the joy it brings to families reminds us why we do what we do.
Merry Christmas to you all, and thank you for supporting this program.
Cheers,
Becky
COVID 19 UPDATE FOR March 16, 2021
Please note that KRRDCFS offices will remain closed to the public until further notice.
Please call 1-800-465-1100 or call the local office directly at:
Kenora 807-467-5437
Sioux Lookout/Dryden 807-223-5325
Atikokan 807-597-2700
Red Lake 807-727-2165
Fort Frances 807-274-7787
December 8,2021
Dress Purple Day
Every October, Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign. The campaign is more important than ever, since the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stressors for families, and in some cases has increased risk for the well-being and safety of children and youth.
This year, Dress Purple Day will take place on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
We are calling on all Ontarians to wear something purple to show children, youth, and families that they are here to help!
October 19. 2021
Children and Youth in Care Day 2021
This important day, proclaimed provincially in the Children and Youth in Care Day Act, 2012, is an opportunity to recognize the enormous contributions that current and former youth in care make to the province, as well as the strength, bravery, and resilience shown by these children and youth in the face of adversity
May 17, 2021
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2021/2022
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Friday, June 18, 2021, at the Cameron Bay Children’s Centre (Board Room – A15), commencing at 5:00 p.m. It is our hope that you will demonstrate your interest in the Society by purchasing a membership and attending this meeting.
The Society Membership is for the period from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. This membership allows you to vote at our annual Meeting. To be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting, your membership must be paid as of the official Record Date. The record date has been established as May 18, 2021, which is thirty days in advance of our annual general meeting of members. Should you wish to purchase a membership, please complete the form and return it, along with the assessment of membership dues in the amount of $2.00 (Two Dollars) to the office, care of the Executive Assistant at:
Cameron Bay Children’s Centre
820 Lakeview Drive
Kenora, ON P9N 3P7
Your membership would be appreciated and we thank you for your interest in the Society.
Additional membership forms can be obtained from each office. Please feel free to recruit membership from within your community and associated collateral agencies.
February 24, 2021
COVID 19 UPDATE FOR MAY 26, 2020
Please note that KRRDCFS offices will remain closed to the public until June 15th. Please call 1-800-465-1100 for assistance.
COVID 19 Update for April 20, 2020
In conjunction with the Provincial Government, KRRDCFS will be extending its emergency measures to May 12. While our offices remain closed to the public, our staff are here to support children, youth and families. Call us at 1-800-465-1100.
COVID 19 Update for April 1, 2020
We are all doing our part to protect and support our communities during COVID-19. In these uncertain times, we must remember that we also play a role in strengthening families and ensuring child safety and well-being. Our staff will continue to work from home until April 20 and will be checking email and voicemail throughout the day. If you know a child, youth, or family that needs help or support, call us at 1-800-465-1100.
August 20, 2020
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: A15/Board Room/BlueJeans
Cameron Bay Children’s Centre
820 Lakeview Drive, Kenora, ON
Receiving and considering the annual report and financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2020 and the report of the auditors thereon;
Electing directors;
Appointing auditors; and
Transacting such further and other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
May 29, 2020
New Privacy Laws Come into Effect January 1, 2020
Ontario has a law that protects your personal information relating to services that you receive from Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services. We are required to follow the privacy rules under the Child Youth and Family Services Act, 2017. We are required to keep your personal information safe and secure. You have the right to know how we may use and give out your service information, and how you can get access to it. Privacy Statement – Child Welfare Services.
For Child and Youth Mental Health and Developmental Services, Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services is designated as a health information custodian, and is committed to complying with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). This has been in effect since 2004. PHIPA Privacy Statement
For more information about the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, please see: https://www.ipc.on.ca/guidance-documents/
Mental Health Week May 4 to 10, 2020
As we were unable to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week in the community this week, the Children’s Mental Health team at KRRDCFS came up with a creative solution…a video message from the team: Call us at 1-800-465-1100!
Children and Youth in Care Day 2020
May 14, 2020 is Children and Youth in Care Day 2020 – Let’s Celebrate Together! This important day, proclaimed into law as the Children and Youth in Care Day Act, 2012, offers an opportunity to recognize the enormous contributions that current and former youth in care make to this province, as well as their strength, bravery and resilience in the face of adversity. Who are children and youth in care? They are children and youth who live in kin, foster, and group homes. They are children and youth who are not able to live safely with their primary caregivers because of neglect and abuse. An average of 800 youth in care transition to adulthood and independent living every year. To support the new Children and Youth in Care Day campaign OACAS has a hashtag – #CARE4CARE – and logo. The lion in the new logo represents the bravery and courage these children and youth need in order to overcome the obstacles and challenges of being an individual in and from care. On May 14 we raise awareness within and beyond the child welfare sector about the importance of caring for children and youth in/from care.
May 25, 2020
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2020/2021
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Friday, June 19, 2020, at the Cameron Bay Children’s Centre (Board Room – A15), commencing at 5:30 p.m. It is our hope that you will demonstrate your interest in the Society by purchasing a membership and attending this meeting. The Society Membership is for the period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. This membership allows you to vote at our annual Meeting. To be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting, your membership must be paid as of the official Record Date. The record date has been established as May 19, 2020, which is thirty days in advance of our annual general meeting of members. Should you wish to purchase a membership, please complete the form and return it, along with the assessment of membership dues in the amount of $2.00 (Two Dollars) to the office, care of the Executive Assistant at:
Cameron Bay Children’s Centre
820 Lakeview Drive
Kenora, ON P9N 3P7
Your membership would be appreciated and we thank you for your interest in the Society.
Additional membership forms can be obtained from each office. Please feel free to recruit membership from within your community and associated collateral agencies.
January 9, 2020
FASD Awareness Week—September 2019
September 9th was chosen so that on the 9th day of the 9th month of each year, the world will remember that during the 9 months of pregnancy, a woman should abstain from alcohol. FASD Community Partners have chosen to honor the week to FASD Awareness.
SafeCare Accreditation
Dear Kenora Team,
Congratulations on implementing SafeCare with the highest standards! It is our pleasure to approve your SafeCare Accreditation for June 2019 to May 2020. NSTRC and the SafeCare Accreditation Team appreciate your agency’s hard work to maintain the implementation standards of SafeCare and want to thank you for taking time to participate in the SafeCare Accreditation process. As a token of your accreditation, attached is your agency’s accreditation seal, which you can use to announce and advertise your accreditation. In addition, you will receive an Accreditation Plaque plate via mail noting your accreditation year 2019-2020.
We love having your agency as part of our SafeCare Community and look forward to continued collaboration throughout the year.
Best,
Leslie Sawell
NSTRC Accreditation Committee
Leslie Sawell, MS
Senior Training Specialist
National SafeCare Training and Research Center
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services’ Children’s Mental Health Program Achieves Accreditation Renewal
On June 12, 2019, Board President Syrena Lalonde received official notice from the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA), announcing that Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services’ (KRRDCFS) Children’s Mental Health Program was awarded another four year accreditation.
“Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Program is proud to be accredited through the CCA, a third-party review based on accepted organizational practices that promote ongoing quality improvement and responsive, effective community services,” says Lalonde. She adds, “To be CCA accredited is truly a seal of approval.”
Executive Director Bill Leonard adds, “I commend the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of our staff and Board of Directors. This is clearly reflected in this significant achievement. Our stakeholders can be assured that we have undergone an extensive internal and external review process that measures our practices against sector and industry standards.”
KRRDCFS’ Children’s Mental Health Program was awarded accreditation for the period of April 2019 to April 2023 in recognition of achieving established standards for quality in government, management and services.
“We are very pleased that our Child and Youth Mental Health programs have received a renewal on our accreditation by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation,” says Janice Gagne, Director of Clinical and Community Services. “The accreditation process ensures that our programs are committed to quality service, a high level of professionalism, and continuous improvement though ongoing learning and evaluation. We are very proud of the service our staff provides every day in delivering quality, evidenced informed programs to the children, youth, and families in the Rainy River District.”
September 12, 2019
The State of Infant, Child & Youth Mental Health in Ontario
6 IN 10 YOUTH
Report having had concerns about their level of anxiety.
72% Increase
in Emergency Department visits and a 79% increase in hospitalizations in the past 10 years in Ontario
12,000+
children & youth are waiting up to 18 months for mental health treatment
What’s New in KRRDCFS Child and Youth Mental Health Programming?
We are preparing for our second accreditation and our site visit is April 9-11. Our programs were first accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation in 2014.
School Board Counselling Program: We extended our partnership with the Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) and the Northern Ontario Education Leaders (NOEL) in September 2018 and have since been able to provide expedited on-site services at all schools within the Rainy River District.
Recent and upcoming training for clinical staff:
February 2019: Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) Healing Relationships & Promoting Resilience http://www.emotionfocusedfamilytherapy.org/
March 2019: Zones of Regulation, A curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control. http://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html
April 2019: Brief Intervention for School Clinicians (BRISC) is an evidence-based problem-solving triage model designed for students with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. http://depts.washington.edu/risemh/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/The-Brief-Intervention-for-School-Clinicians-BRISC_A-mixed-methods-evaluation-of-feasibility-acceptability-and-contextual-appropriateness.pdf
May 2019: FRIENDS Resilience - FRIENDS Programs are a suite of evidence-based, social and emotional skills programs designed to build life-long resilience in individuals, families, and communities. https://www.friendsresilience.org/
June 2019: Single-Session Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy Training https://www.canadiansfbtc.com/
September 11, 2019
FREE Summer Youth Programming!
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services is pleased to be offering numerous fun-filled activities for youth ages 6-18 throughout the months of July and August… FREE of charge! Some of our upcoming events include:
-Trip to the Mounds for Science North
-Mindfulness activities in the park
-Strawberry picking
-Trip to Emo spray park
-Hiking events
-Cooking events
+ much more!
Lunch and snacks will be provided. Come join us to practice social skills, learn and most importantly to have FUN! If you would like further information about any of the summer programming or to sign up
Understanding Child Welfare
Have you ever been approached by friends and families, as soon as they learned you are working in child welfare, with questions like “What is a Children’s Aid Society? What exactly do you do? How do you look after abused children?” and even bigger questions like, “What is Child Welfare?”! Most of the time you probably struggled to answer these questions, because, well, the answer is complicated.
The 4-minute video below provides a concise, simple – and for some, surprising – description of why children, youth, and families receive child welfare services in Ontario and how Children’s Aid Societies work. English French
July 16,2019
Children’s Mental Health Week
Did you know that May 5th to 11th is Children’s Mental Health Week? This is a week where we draw attention to the issues that children, youth and families face when seeking mental health treatment in Ontario.
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services Issues
Public Statement
Over the past two days, various reports have been made in the media regarding statements made by a lawyer representing Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services. Executive Director, Bill Leonard, met with the Board of Directors of KRRDCFS this morning to further discuss the matter and issue a public statement:
“I would like to apologize for the comments made by our lawyer, Mr. McCallum, in an Affidavit that was filed with the court in July, 2018. In this Affidavit, it states “A fourteen or fifteen (sic) is a sexually mature young woman. Not a ‘child,’ as the term is generally understood…”
“Furthermore, this statement is appalling and intolerable, and I agree with comments reported regarding the abhorrent nature of this statement.”
Under Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act, anyone under the age of 18 is considered to be a child. Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services takes the protection of all children very seriously.
Leonard adds, “Mr. McCallum’s statement undermines this commitment and is in no way reflective of our practice, knowledge or belief. His services have been terminated effective today.”
For more information contact:
William Leonard, BA, BSW, MSW (Clinical) Executive Director Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services (807) 807-467-5437
May 6, 2019
Sixties Scoop Survivor?
Between 1965 and 1984, thousands of Indigenous children were removed from their homes and placed with non-Indigenous families. If you were a service recipient during this period, you may be eligible for compensation.
Learn more about the Sixties Scoop lawsuit.
Records Reconciliation and Your Rights
November 29, 2018
Ontario Dress Purple Day
Every October Children’s Aid Societies across the province raise awareness about the rights of children and youth to safety and well-being, and the responsibility of adults and community services to help children, youth, and families who need support. On Ontario Dress Purple Day we join together with our key partners, Boards of Education, schools, and child care centers and homes, to share this positive message that help is available and to celebrate the community that cares for kids and families.
This year Ontario Dress Purple Day will take place on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
Foster Family Appreciation Week is October 15th-21st, 2018
We celebrate and are very grateful for our foster families across the Kenora-Rainy River District. What amazing families they are, that offer love and kindness to the many children and their families. They welcome and accept with compassion and integrity and give the children and their families support during some very difficult times. Foster parents and Caregivers are essential and without the constant care and commitment they provide we would not be able to offer a place of safety that some children in our district desperately need.
Foster parenting can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs a family can undertake. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated Foster Parents and their families that give of themselves and their time with our children and youth. These individuals and families deserve recognition and great thanks for the work that they do. Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services commends all of our caregivers and recognizes the invaluable role they play in providing services to the children in our communities.
August 13, 2018
Identity-Based Data Collection
Why are we collecting identity-based data? The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services and Children’s Aid Societies would like to better understand you and children and youth receiving child welfare services. We want to support programs and services that respect who you are.
All identity-based data that we collect is confidential and is voluntary to answer.
June 29, 2018
Child Welfare Mandate Expanding
Expansion of the Child Welfare Mandate to include 16 and 17 year olds
Informed by advocacy from the child welfare sector, community based professionals including the Offices of the Children’s Lawyer and the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, but most importantly by the province’s children and youth themselves, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services has amended the Child and Family Services Act extending the sector’s mandate to include child protection services to 16 and 17 year olds.
March 21, 2018
Loving Homes Needed
Hear My Story
We have an urgent need for foster parents in all of our communities, to provide a nurturing, secure and comforting environment for infants, toddlers, preschool age children, adolescents and children with high medical needs.
Foster parents provide a safe, secure, structured environment; are good role models and team players; have a positive attitude with an optimistic outlook; have patience, a good sense of humour, empathy, and an ability to advocate effectively. Become a foster parent today!
September 15, 2017
The Oneesh Tam Key Award
Each year Tikinagan presents an award at our Annual Chiefs Assembly for leadership in Indigenous child welfare. The Oneesh Tam Key award honours people or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Tikinagan's progress. Translated, Oneesh Tam Key means "someone who sits at the front of a canoe guiding the direction". This year Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services (KRRDCFS) was selected to receive the award in recognition of its agency's longstanding collaboration with Tikinagan, and KRRDCFS recognition that First Nation families in the district are best served by First Nations agencies.
Tikinagan looks forward to the opportunity to honour the leadership KRRDCFS has shown - not just KRRDCFS recognition of First Nation jurisdiction over their children with words, but with action by providing authority to Tikinagan to provide child welfare services to members of our First Nations in the district. KRRDCFS has acknowledged that Indigenous CASs serving specific First Nations would have the closer connections with the extended family, the community, the First Nation leadership and the specific First Nation culture so that the best interests of the children can be served as well as best supporting the well-being of the family as a whole.
September 30, 2016
After Hours Change
As of Friday, September 30th, 2016, there is a change in Child Welfare After Hours services provided in Dryden, Kenora and Ignace. Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services (AAFS) will be providing After Hours services to all Treaty 3 band members. Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services (KRRDCFS) will be providing After Hours services to all other families, including those who would receive services from Tikinagan Child and Family Services.
