Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (French: Ministère des Services à l’enfance et des Services sociaux et communautaires) is the ministry in Ontario, Canada responsible for services to children and youth, social services such as welfare, the Ontario Disability Support Program, and community service programs to address homelessness, domestic violence, spousal support, adoption, and assisted housing for people with disabilities. Michael Parsa was appointed Minister of Children, Community and Social Services after the resignation of Merrilee Fullerton in 2023.

Ontario Works

Ontario Works is a social assistance program overseen by the ministry. Prior to 1997, persons requiring this assistance received support under the General Welfare Assistance Act. Its origins are in the Ontario Works Act, 1997 as a workfare program which began under the Mike Harris government.

In 2014, a $240-million Social Assistance Management System (SAMS) software platform deployed by IBM's Cúram Software caused $20 million of overpayments to 17,000 Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program (OW/ODSP) recipients, while thousands of others received token $5 monthly payments or nothing at all. Some were unable to pay for rent or electricity, in some cases leading to their eviction. Others were manually issued paper cheques.

Juvenile corrections

The ministry operates correctional facilities for juveniles who are convicted of crimes.

Secure juvenile facilities include:

• Arrell Youth Centre (Hamilton, Ontario)
• Donald Doucet Youth Centre (Sault Ste. Marie)
• Cecil Facer Youth Centre (Greater Sudbury)
• Kennedy House Youth Centre (Ajax)
• Portage Youth Centre (Kenora)
• Peninsula Youth Centre (Fenwick, Ontario)
• Ge-Da-Gi-Binez Youth Centre (Fort Frances)
• William E. Hay Youth Centre (Ottawa)
• Justice Ronald Lester Youth Centre (Thunder Bay)
• Roy McMurtry Youth Centre (Brampton)
• Syl Apps Youth Centre (Oakville)
• Sprucedale Youth Centre (Simcoe)

Ministry agencies

The ministry is currently responsible for three agencies:

• Council of The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Ontario’s Youth Justice Task Force
• Soldier's Aid Commission

List of ministers

See also

• Family Responsibility Office
• List of youth detention center incidents in Ontario

External links