News

Since 2014, The Family Centre, Family & Children Services of the Waterloo Region, and 15 community organizations have worked to co-create and develop The Resilience Project together.

When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in Ontario, Family & Children’s Services developed a plan to help ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and foster parents as well as the children, youth and families we work with.

Quarni means Generations in the Somali language. Quarni provides much needed opportunity for Black identifying seniors and youth to connect culturally...

Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region says it's had to place more than 80 children in foster homes outside the region this year due to a shortage of local foster parents.

The community needs to listen and pay attention to kids if it wants to prevent child abuse, say a number of youth working with Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region.

The phone rings. A teacher or neighbour or family member is calling about a child who has been hurt, abused, maybe neglected. One of our workers will go out to speak to the child and family and work on ways to keep this child safe — ideally at home or with family.

Every October Children’s Aid Societies across the province raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families.

As I reflect back on the past week where we have celebrated our foster families and their different stories, achievements and inspiring moments, I think of the word relationships

Michelle has been fostering for over 20 years. She brings many unique skills to the table, partly due to her career in special needs education.

When Kelli became a foster parent, she was worried about how she would relate to the families of the foster children. “You think of all the stereotypes,” she says.

Foster parents in normal circumstances go the extra mile; fostering during COVID-19 is even tougher.

Julie never really considered fostering, in part, because she has some health issues that she thought might get in the way. Then a friend of theirs became a foster parent, and they found out how rewarding it can be.

Through Youth Resilience Project funding, we are thrilled to continue to offer Youth Activities that are open to everyone. Please review the below information and share with all of your families and youth.

You may have noticed the rainbow flag at the entrances to the Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region offices. The rainbow flag is used as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) pride and social movements.

To the Black families in our community, we are here to support you...

With schools and many daycares closed, there are fewer people keeping an eye out for vulnerable children, says Karen Spencer, executive director, Family and Children's Services of the Waterloo Region (Rick Gibbs/CBC)

Children rely on their parents to care for them and keep them safe. During a pandemic, this may be at risk: if parents are unable to look after their children because they are ill, the community will need to provide resources and supports.

This is a list of current resources available to families and children through the Federal and Provincial Governments.

Older Youth in care face a number of challenges even without a pandemic. They often worry about making the transition to living independently when they “age out” of care, and having ongoing supportive relationships with adults.

Waterloo Region is an increasingly diverse community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for
sensitivity and an awareness of human rights in our decisions and actions is greater than ever.