Prevention

The effects of abuse and neglect can cause long-term trauma and disadvantage for children and youth. Through prevention programs, we strive to protect vulnerable children and youth, provide nurturing and healing experiences, and break the destructive abuse-poverty cycle. Our prevention programs offer the resources, opportunities and positive life-altering experiences that plant the seeds of hope that allow them to grow into emotionally stable, happy adults.

The Children's Aid Foundation has developed the following strategic prevention priorities:

• Education

• Family violence

• Community safety

• Outreach and engagement with newcomer communities

• Support services for at risk children, youth and families

Program Highlight: National Diversity Fund for Children

Supported by:

Children and youth who are new to Canada face unique challenges in establishing a stable life here. Having left their homes, family, community, financial and cultural supports behind all in an effort to build prosperity for themselves and their families in Canada, the many challenges that must still be faced leave many families at risk. Though now safe in Canada, some newcomers have been exposed to the trauma of war and political oppression in their homelands and arrive as refugees. When language barriers, unemployment, isolation, housing issues and poverty penetrate the lives of newcomers, family breakdown and mental illness are common outcomes. Without support from the child welfare system, health professionals, and other community services, hope for a better future quickly fades away for struggling newcomers.

The RBC New Beginnings: National Diversity Fund for Children provides social workers with a flexible resource to enhance their everyday work with immigrant and refugee children, youth and families who have lived in Canada for less than two years and are considered at risk. This prevention initiative provides tailored supports to help stabilize the family situation and nurture strong relationships between children, youth, their families and child welfare professionals.

For more information on Prevention programs please contact Pat Kemp at pkemp@cafdn.orgor 416-923-0924 x228