Face of Nation : That was the rallying cry of social workers from Brant Family and Children’s Services (Brant FACS) and their supporters who protested in front of their office Friday after their executive director was placed on leave.
The demonstration was organized following an announcement from the agency’s volunteer board of directors that every member was resigning because they could no longer fulfil their mandate due to government cuts.
Support worker Jennifer Kirby said she was there to speak out against cuts that will keep staff from keeping kids safe. She blamed “chronic under-funding” of services in the county for the board’s decision to step down.
“Cuts need to stop. Cuts hurt kids,” she said. “We are the ones working with these families and we know that the services we provide are what keep kids safe.”
Kirby said cuts to the agency, which investigates allegations of child abuse and places children in foster homes, mean kids stay in the system longer and families will be left waiting for support.
Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, said he was disappointed by the board’s approach, saying he believed they could have worked together to resolve the situation.
Smith added he also didn’t agree with their concerns about the level of financial support.
He pointed to regular meetings and reviews of financial information with Brant FACS staff to urge “a change in course,” as well as training about the role of the board and the organization’s funding approach.
“My top priority is to ensure the ministry is taking the necessary steps to avoid any disruption of our services for the children and youth who could have been impacted by the decision of the Board,” he added in a statement.
