FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2001
Kids remain at risk,
study shows
TORONTO – A workload measurement study, released today by the Ontario
Association of Children’s Aid Societies, confirms results of a union
study in 1998 that showed excessive workload puts children at risk.
"When you cut to the chase, one fact remains: Kids at risk aren’t
getting the protection they need," said Dave Calvert, an executive
board member with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
Calvert, a social worker with the Ottawa Children’s Aid Society, said
the OPSEU study was broader than this one, covering support staff as well
as front-line social workers.
The OACAS study shows an increase in referrals. Staff levels have not
kept up with the increasing work. Higher expenditures have gone largely to
computers and software, Calvert said. "They are essential tools, but
they cannot replace people. Because of misplaced priorities, we are not
providing the safest environment possible for kids.
"Still, it’s good to have management confirm our research
findings."
Linda Aho from the Sudbury CAS, chair of OPSEU’s CAS sector, called
on the government to get more involved.
"The government provides the money and it sets the rules. The
recent announcement of $123 million for CASs is not new money. It is money
owed under the government’s provably inadequate funding formula,"
she said. "Announcing it with great fanfare is a cynical attempt to
gain glory for nothing, instead of accepting real responsibility for kids
who need our help," she said.
Calvert agreed. "A series of important coroner’s inquests have
recommended the need for three-way discussions on CAS workload –
involving the government, the CASs and the staff. The staff has been there
for a long time, and now the CASs are on side. It’s time for the
government to get involved, and that must happen if the process is to mean
anything."
The government is more focused on accountability and administration
than on the work of front-line staff seeing kids and assessing risk,
Calvert said. "We need more workers, not more rules, and in that
regard the government’s reform initiatives are a failure.
"We said that in 1997, and three years later, kids aren’t better
protected because workers are chained to their desks doing paperwork
instead of seeing kids.
OPSEU represents about 2,000 members who work at 17 CASs in Ontario.
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For further information:
Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) (416) 448-7440
Dave Calvert – pager 613-364-3044
Linda Aho – pager 705-521-7470
