About the Child, Youth and Family Services Act
The Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) governs many of the child, youth and family services that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) delivers, provides, funds and licenses. The CYFSA's main purpose is to promote the best interests, protection and well-being of children and youth.
Services provided under the act include:
- child welfare
- youth justice services
- secure treatment
- children’s developmental services
- out-of-home care services (Although the term residential is a legal term under the CYFSA and its regulations, the ministry is using the term “out-of-home care” instead of “residential” care to acknowledge the traumatic history of the Residential School system in Canada.)
- community support services (including prevention services, counselling or mental health supports)
- adoption services
The CYFSA recognizes that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples should be entitled to provide, wherever possible, their own child and family services. It also recognizes that all services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and young persons and their families should be provided in a manner that recognizes their:
- cultures
- heritages
- traditions
- connection to their communities
- concept of the extended family
About the review
As required by the legislation, we are reviewing the CYFSA to help ensure it continues to promote the best interests, protection and well-being of children and youth.
We encourage all Ontarians to provide feedback so that we improve CYFSA, where appropriate.
You do not need to answer all the questions in the survey — only the questions that are of interest or concern to you.
Over the last five years, we’ve heard feedback on ways to improve the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017. Before you begin answering questions you can read a summary how you’ve suggested we can improve the act.
We will consider all information we receive, and it may not be possible to address all the feedback in the public report.
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