Family and Children’s Services Guelph and Wellington County (FCSGW) is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children, youth, and families in our community. Serving the City of Guelph and Wellington County, we are a compassionate network of staff, volunteers, foster families, adopting families, and donors who work together with the community to create a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive environment for children, youth, and families in need.
Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County is committed to the decolonization of the child welfare system while remaining focused on the safety and wellbeing of children with their families and kin. We are committed to honouring the diversity of our community and to providing equitable services that are inclusive of one’s identity and lived experience. When working with families, we strive to work from anti-oppressive practice and address racism, bias, and discrimination. We commit to understanding the needs of families and to reducing barriers to ensure equitable outcomes.
We are a charitable, non-profit organization that is legislated and primarily funded by the provincial Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. We are often known as the Children’s Aid Society.
The video below will help you better understand child welfare in Ontario.
At FCSGW Guelph and Wellington County, we offer a range of services to support families, including:
- Child Protection Services: we investigate concerns about child abuse or neglect and work with families to ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth in Guelph and Wellington County.
- Clinical Support Services: we provide resources and support to families who are facing challenges and need assistance to maintain a healthy family environment.
- Adoption Services: we work with families who are interested in adopting children and provide support throughout the adoption process.
- Foster Care Services: we recruit, train, and support diverse foster families to provide safe and nurturing homes for children who cannot live with their birth or extended families.
- Youth Services: we offer support to youth who are transitioning out of the child welfare system and into adulthood.
We also provide help and support services for families to ensure that children and youth are protected from physical and emotional abuse or neglect. We currently receive funding for the following services:
- Investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect
- Protecting children and youth when they are at risk of harm
- Covering basic living costs for children and youth who have been placed in foster care or who have moved to an independent living situation
For more information about Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County, visit the pages below.