News release

Kings County Family and Children's Services Joins Community Services

Community Services

The integration of Family and Children's Services of Kings County and the Department of Community Services will provide consistent service delivery for children and families, Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services, announced today, May 21.

"Community Services, along with the board of directors of Family and Children's Services of Kings County, feel it is in the best interest of local children, families and staff, that they integrate with the department," said Ms. Streatch. "Our priority is to protect children and families who need help and support."

Community Services staff will work with the Kings County agency to manage and provide support throughout the integration process, which will become final when their board and agency status is dissolved on Dec. 31. The department will be responsible for service delivery and the staff will become civil servants on Aug. 31.

"The board members of Family and Children's Services of Kings County will continue to be strong advocates for children," said Mark Mander, president of the board of directors. "By moving the agency over to the Department of Community Services, board members will be able to concentrate their efforts more on the needs of children and community development."

A recent audit on the agency's files by child welfare staff from Community Services found management and direct practice concerns that included poor documentation, inadequate assessments and inconsistent response times.

The audit results were presented to the agency's board of directors and they decided, in recognition of other agencies integrating with the department, it would be an appropriate time to amalgamate.

Effective today, May 21, Leonard Doiron, former acting director of child welfare for the province, will manage the Kings County office on an interim basis to address concerns identified in the audit.

In addition to the appointment, these measures will be implemented immediately:

  • a risk-management process consistent with provincial child protection and children in care standards
  • training, as required, to reaffirm and reorient staff to provincial child welfare standards
  • work with the board, staff and regional resources to develop an action plan to address all of the issues identified in the review

The department's overall objectives are to ensure the province's standards, policies and guidelines under the Children and Family Services Act are followed, and to review the abilities of professionals assigned to each file.

The Department of Community Services is auditing all child welfare offices and agencies in the province.