At CASSDG., we believe that children and youth thrive when they remain connected to their families, culture, and community. When a child cannot safely live at home, we look first to their extended family, kin, or community network—people they already know, love, and trust.
Kinship care allows children to remain in familiar surroundings, preserving their identity and relationships. Caregivers may be relatives, neighbours, teachers, coaches, or others with meaningful ties to the child.
Types of Kinship Arrangements
- Kinship Service (Out of Care): The child or youth lives with approved kin or community caregivers but is not formally in the care of CASSDG.. Families receive ongoing support and may access financial and community assistance.
- Kinship Care (In Care): The child or youth in the care of the Society but placed with kin or community caregivers instead of a foster home.
Kinship caregivers are assessed to ensure they can meet the child’s emotional, physical, and cultural needs. Our goal is always reunification with parents when possible. When that cannot happen, kinship families often become permanent, loving homes.
Kinship caregivers receive ongoing support from CASSDG., including access to Temporary Care Assistance through Ontario Works, and supports such as food vouchers, recreational programs, and cultural or camp opportunities.
Kinship care reflects our belief that raising and protecting children is a shared community responsibility—one that strengthens families and preserves cultural and familial continuity.