Expansion of Nation-Wide Support to Prevent Refugee Children from Entering Foster Care

Peel Children’s Aid Foundation is pleased to announce a transformative gift of $900,000 from Northpine Foundation to support the expansion of the Peel Children’s Aid Society’s (Peel CAS) Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE). This gift will allow CWICE to expand its training services across Canada and work with provincial partners to ensure that refugee families remain together, and children do not enter foster care.

This grant marks a significant milestone in CWICE’s goal to achieve the same success rate of services nationwide as in Ontario, where the organization has consistently maintained zero government assisted refugee children entering foster care.

“The children CWICE supports seek safety when they flee their home of origin to come to Canada, they deserve the chance to experience a nurturing home with equal opportunities to thrive,” said Maryann Kerr, CEO, Peel Children’s Aid Foundation. “We are very grateful to Northpine Foundation for helping CWICE break down barriers, so refugee children, youth, and families involved with child welfare receive the tools they need for future success.”

The grant will assist CWICE in its work with government assisted refugee children who are supported by the Canadian government during their first year in Canada. As protected people, they are approved for asylum while living outside Canada and when they resettle in Canada, they arrive as permanent residents. CWICE’s expansion project aims to further collaborations and trainings with child welfare professionals currently helping to resolve these issues in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland.

“This funding comes at a critical time, especially when we are seeing so many children, youth, and families who are struggling with immigration or border-related challenges across the country,” stated Mary Beth Moellenkamp, CEO, Peel Children’s Aid Society. “With this generous gift we will be able to further enhance our services to turn these challenges into opportunities and help to create a brighter future for every child who calls Canada home.”

Since its inception in 2018, CWICE has trained over 1,400 professionals and presented to another 7,000 individuals to ensure children, youth, and families have successful and equitable immigration plans and pathways. The organization also works with community agencies to provide guidance on eligibility for citizenship while connecting children and families to immigration lawyers and settlement services. An established leader in this area, CWICE continues to work with local, provincial, and federal partners to develop proactive and responsive services to emerging immigration and settlement trends.