The provincial government has appointed a temporary supervisor for the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society (KHCAS), saying, “we no longer have confidence in the society’s ability to address its operational issues and growing deficit.”
Minister of children, community and social services (MCCSS), Michael Parsa, made the announcement Oct. 23. On the same day, the board of KHCAS announced they had tendered their resignations.
Parsa said he’d appointed Rosaleen Cutler as supervisor to oversee and operate the society, “and help ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth receiving services.”
He added, “although the government does not direct children’s aid societies on placement decisions, we require them to ensure placements are safe, appropriate and meet the child’s needs. That’s not an option, it’s the law.”
The MCCSS said it had provided $4.6 million over and above the KHCAS’ funding allocation since 2020-21, while working with the society to address findings of various ministry-led reviews, they say have “identified a number of significant risks related to the overall operations and financial management of the society.
“In addition, the ministry does not have confidence in the society’s ability to make the necessary strategic decisions to address its growing deficit and operational issues, which may negatively impact the safety and quality of protection services that vulnerable children and youth depend on.”
Cutler will be responsible for overseeing the operations and managing the society in place of the board of directors and executive director, for up to a year.
Board ‘worked diligently’ to avert this
The minister said that during her term, Cutler will address the society’s “growing financial and operational issues and reinstate good governance and fiscal sustainability, while ensuring the continuity of services to children, youth and families.”
The board told media Oct. 23, “it is with profound sadness” they had tendered their resignations. They were notified a day earlier of the appointment of a supervisor.
“Board members can no longer meet their fiduciary duty when this happens. The board worked diligently to avert this from happening; however, the difficulties we experienced are echoed across the sector and were not repairable within the structures and guidelines we must work within.
“Although there will be difficult days ahead, we know that the staff and leadership team at Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society will continue to provide excellent care and service to the children, youth and families in our communities.”
In the summer, KHCAS announced plans to shutter its branch at 73 Victoria St. in Haliburton next year, and drop one fulltime staff member, while committing to still offering its services across the County. They were talking to partners about accessing space elsewhere. The changes were to have taken effect for April 1, 2025.
The KHCAS is currently working with approximately 30 families in Haliburton. Head office is in Peterborough with another branch in Lindsay. Most of the outreach work is done in client family homes, or within the community. They have remote work agreements with staff as a result of COVID and most employees work from home, with access to the office.
The KHCAS attributed the deficit to years of funding reductions, increased costs, increased complexity of need, and the lack of services required by legislation within the funding allocation.
