FACS Facts
July 2025
Child safety is non-negotiable—but how we check has evolved. We pause, ask, and co-design safety with families before acting. That partnership works: over half of referrals end right at intake—no investigation needed. When we do open an investigation, 77% expose real harm that needs action. Smarter triage, sharper focus, better outcomes for kids.
June 2025
We’re excited to share our June edition of FACS Facts Friday, where we lean into one of our most important questions: “Why do we get involved?”
Our latest graphic shows that nearly all investigations stem from three core areas: children witnessing adult conflict or violence, caregivers struggling with mental‐health or addiction issues, or direct abuse. What does this mean? When home life is destabilized—whether by family conflict, untreated illness, or abuse—no single agency can solve it alone. Schools, health providers, social services, and community organizations must work hand-in-hand to spot early warning signs and wrap families in support before crises escalate. Let’s partner to keep kids safe and families together.
May 2025
Five postal codes = 35 % of investigations.
When families face stacked housing, health and income pressures, child-safety concerns rise. We’re teaming up with local collaborative partners to connect families to supports earlier—and keep kids safe at home.
April 2025
Every day, people call us because they’re worried about a child’s safety. We want to show what happens after those calls and what our numbers tell us.
By sharing this information, we hope to build trust and support informed talks. We also want to reduce fear or confusion about child welfare. Our data shows that most families stay together, and child removal is rare. It also helps us see how we respond, who is calling, and where we can do better.
Being transparent is one of our core values. We believe our community should know what we do, how we do it, and what the results are. By sharing this month’s data, we can work together to better support children, youth, and families in Waterloo Region.
