About Us
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions is a non-profit multi-service agency operating in the District of Muskoka and Simcoe County.
Child Protection Services
In Simcoe & Muskoka, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions is one of 2 organizations legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected from within the community. Programs and services are developed in response to the needs of children, youth, and families in our community.
Under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, Children’s Aid Societies are mandated to:
- Investigate allegations or evidence that children under the age of 18 may be in need of protection
- Protect children where necessary
- Provide guidance, counselling, and other services to families for protecting children or preventing circumstances requiring the protection of children
- Provide care and supervision for children assigned or committed to its care
- Facilitate the adoption process for children when needed
Children and Youth who identify as First Nations or Inuit in Simcoe and Muskoka are served by our partner organization, Dnaagdawenmag Biinoojiiyag Child and Family Services. Metis children and youth may be served by one of the organizations (not both at the same time). You can contact them on their main line at 1-844-523-2237.
Children’s Aid Societies are regulated by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and governed by the Ontario Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA).
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions offers counseling and therapy services to children, youth and their families who are in need of mental health supports. This service is available to children, youth and their families who reside in the District of Muskoka.
Our Child and Youth Mental Health programs are funded by the Ministry of Health. There is no charge to families for this service.
The easiest way to access our services is by scheduling a session through our Muskoka Child & Youth Mental Health Counselling Clinic. This clinic provides single-session counselling and can be your first step to accessing CYMH services. To speak with our Intake Clinician and/or to arrange for support for a child, youth or their family, please call 705-645-4426 ext.6270. A trained clinician is available to receive your call Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.
Since the beginning of COVID-19, sessions with clinicians are scheduled by appointment and offered virtually (by phone or video) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the family’s request, meetings can occur in person at our Bracebridge, Huntsville or Gravenhurst locations. During winter hours, appointments are scheduled between the hours of 11:00am and 5:30pm. During the summer months, sessions are scheduled between 10:00am to 5:00 PM.
To access child and youth mental health supports in Simcoe County, please contact Centralized Intake for Kinark and New Path at 1-888-454-6275.
Coordinated Service Planning is a voluntary service that is offered to families who:
- Have a child/youth who is involved with multiple agencies providing specialized services (e.g., rehabilitation services, autism services, developmental services, and/or respite supports, special education).
- Have a child/youth who is experiencing ongoing challenges related to their development (e.g., physical, communication, intellectual, emotional, social and/or behavioural, mental health).
- Have identified that they are struggling with coordinating services for their child/youth, and
- May be experiencing external barriers which make it difficult to coordinate services for their child/youth.
- Reside in the districts of Muskoka, Nipissing, or Parry Sound.
This program is overseen by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. There is no charge for this service. For more information and to download a referral form, please click on https://www.cspmuskokanipissingparrysound.ca/
To access this service in Simcoe County, please contact Catulpa Community Support Services at 705-733-3227.
This program is mandated by the Youth Criminal Justice Act for certain offences and is an alternative to traditional court processes. To access this program a youth needs to be referred by the Crown Attorney and/or the OPP.
Youth (12–17yrs old), their parents, and the persons harmed typically participate in a Justice Circle facilitated by YJC volunteers. The youth are given an opportunity to make amends for their behaviour and understand the impact their behaviour has had on themselves, others and the broader community. The individual harmed is given the opportunity to be heard and partake in what they believe is appropriate restitution. When the youth has completed the sanctions and fulfilled the conditions of the agreement, the charges are withdrawn.
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions has developed Principles that guide how we deliver service in all of our programs. We value feedback to assist us in improving our services. Please don’t hesitate to provide us with your feedback.
Vision & Purpose
Vision
Safe Kids. Healthy Families. Strong Communities.
Purpose
To build safety and well-being with children, youth, families and communities.
Let’s Get Social
11 hours ago
A huge thank you to RBC and Felicia’s team in Barrie, in partnership with Kits for a Cause!
Thanks to them, we now have many winter kits including hats and mittens to give out to local kids and families in need. Winter kits are essential as we approach winter season and our Holiday …program, and we receive many requests from families.
Want to make a donation like RBC did? Visit the link in our bio to learn about our Ways to Give or visit https://familyconnexions.ca/education_program/!
All contributions, big and small, hold the potential to change a child’s life in many ways.
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Un immense merci à RBC et à l’équipe de Felicia à Barrie, en partenariat avec Kits for a Cause !
Grâce à eux, nous disposons désormais de nombreux kits d'hiver, notamment des tuques et des mitaines, à distribuer aux enfants et aux familles dans le besoin de la région. Les kits d'hiver sont essentiels à l'approche de la saison hivernale et de notre programme des Fêtes, et nous recevons de nombreuses demandes de familles.
Vous voulez faire un don comme RBC l’a fait ? Visitez le lien dans notre bio pour en savoir plus sur nos façons de donner ou visitez https://familyconnexions.ca/education_program/ !
Toutes les contributions, grandes et petites, ont le potentiel de changer la vie d’un enfant de plusieurs manières.
#donation #donate #giveback #charity #nonprofit #simcoe #muskoka #ontario #canada #child #children #youth #families #family #communities #community #care #support #partnership #thankyou #thankful #rbc #barrie #kitsforacause #kits #winter #clothes #hats #gloves #mittens
1 days ago
Join us at the Accessible Halloween Village on October 27th!
The event will take place in Barrie from 2:30-4:30PM and is free for everyone.
Share the word and register at https://oatleyvigmond.com/event/accessible-halloween-village-2024/
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…Rejoignez-nous au Village Accessible Halloween le 27 octobre!
L’événement aura lieu à Barrie de 14 h 30 à 16 h 30 et est gratuit pour tout le monde.
Partagez l’information et inscrivez-vous sur https://oatleyvigmond.com/event/accessible-halloween-village-2024/
#accessibility #halloween #inclusion #barrie #simcoe #muskoka #family #families #community #communities #youth #child #children #village #kids #parents #trickortreat #treats #fall #spooky
3 days ago
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Our goal is to showcase our commitment to inclusive employment while helping to break down the barriers that exist for people experiencing disability.
If you have any request for accommodation, visit our website.
For more …information on the awareness month, please visit the Canadian Association for Supported Employment website: https://supportedemployment.ca/initiatives/disability-employment-awareness-month/
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Octobre est le Mois de la sensibilisation à l'emploi des personnes en situation de handicap.
Notre but est de montrer notre engagement pour un lieu de travail inclusif, tout en aidant à briser les barrières qui existent pour les personnes qui sont en situation de handicap.
Pour toute demande d’accommodation, visitez notre site internet.
Pour plus d’information sur ce mois de sensibilisation, visitez le site de l’Association canadienne de soutien à l’emploi : https://supportedemployment.ca/fr/initiatives/disability-employment-awareness-month/
#DEAM2024 #disability #inclusion #equality #fair #handicap #employment #hr #hiring #inclusiveworkplace #workplace #childwelfare #protection #families #employees #communities #children #youth #family #canada #ontario #simcoe #muskoka #community #care
4 days ago
Each year is another opportunity to thank all of the families who play a critical role in their communities and make a difference in the life of a family by providing temporary care to a child or youth.
Foster caregivers provide a stable and caring home and facilitate pathways to lifelong …connections with family and community.
In most situations, children placed in foster care are reunified with their families. In other situations, foster care can open new doors to safety, permanency, and well-being for children whose parents are unable to meet their needs.
The need for foster caregivers is ongoing. If you or anyone you know is interested, or have any questions, please reach out to us. We also encourage you to visit our website and familiarize yourself with our new foster recruitment videos!
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Chaque année est une nouvelle opportunité de remercier toutes les familles qui jouent un rôle essentiel dans leurs communautés et font la différence dans la vie d’une famille en offrant une protection temporaire pour un enfant ou jeune.
Les familles d’accueil offrent un foyer stable et accueillant, et aident à créer des connexions sur le long terme avec la famille et la communauté.
Nous reconnaissons que les enfants et jeunes agissent mieux lorsqu’ils sont placés dans des maisons qui reflètent la diversité de leurs communautés, leur race, ethnicité, foi, orientation sexuelle, identité de genre et/ou expression de genre.
Dans la plupart des situations, les enfants placés dans des familles d’accueil sont réunifiés avec leurs familles. Dans d’autres situations, le placement d’accueil peut ouvrir de nouvelles portes pour la sécurité, la permanence, et le bien-être pour les enfants dont les parents ne peuvent pas répondre à leurs besoins.
Le besoin de familles d’accueil est constant. Si vous ou quelqu’un que vous connaissez est intéressé, ou pour toute question, contactez-nous. Nous vous encourageons également à visiter notre site internet pour vous familiariser avec nos nouvelles vidéos de recrutement de familles d’accueil!
#foster #fostering #fosterappreciationweek #appreciation #care #childcare #home #fosterhome #families #communities #fosterweek
7 days ago
Today, we recognize and celebrate Coming Out day.
This day aims to celebrate and normalize coming out. Sharing our authentic selves with others is not always safe or easy, and it is not a one-day event — but when possible, it can be an extraordinarily powerful key to breaking down the …barriers we face as 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
As we continue our efforts towards more equity and inclusion, we want to highlight folks regardless of their sex and be inclusive of all gender identities.
We encourage you to find resources and reach out to community partners if you need any support.
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Aujourd'hui, nous reconnaissons et célébrons la Journée du Coming Out.
Cette journée a pour but de célébrer et normaliser le coming out. Partager qui nous sommes vraiment avec les autres n’est pas toujours facile, et n’est pas sur une seule journée – mais lorsque c’est possible, cela peut être une façon très puissante pour briser les barrières auxquelles les personnes 2SLGBTQIA+ font face.
Tandis que nous continuons nos efforts vers plus d'équité et d'inclusion, nous voulons reconnaitre les personnes quel que soit leur sexe ou leur identité de genre.
Nous vous encourageons à trouver des ressources et contactez des partenaires communautaires si vous avez besoin de soutien.
#comingout #genderidentity #gender #identity #lgbtq #2slbtq+ #queer #inclusion #visibility #equity #genderequality #love #loveislove #acceptance #tolerance #freedom #simcoe #canada #ontario #muskoka #families #communities #community #family #support #help #equality #lgbtq+ #2slgbtqia+
1 weeks ago
We’re hiring for multiple Volunteer Board Member positions.
Check the details on our website: https://familyconnexions.ca/current-jobs/
We welcome applicants from equity-deserving communities. While we encourage all interested persons to apply, as a skills-based board, we are …particularly interested in community members who work or live in the District of Muskoka and have lived or professional experience in the following areas:
– Francophone, bilingual in French/English
– Children Services
– Law
– Finance, fundraising
Share this post if you know anyone in your network who may want to apply!
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Nous embauchons pour plusieurs postes de Membres du conseil d'administration Bénévoles.
Visitez notre site internet pour voir les détails du poste: https://familyconnexions.ca/current-jobs/
Les candidats issus de communautés méritant l’équité sont les bienvenus. Bien que nous encouragions toutes les personnes intéressées à postuler, en tant que Conseil d’Administration basé sur les compétences, nous sommes particulièrement intéressés à trouver des membres de la communauté qui travaillent ou vivent dans le district de Muskoka et qui ont vécu ou ont une expérience professionnelle dans les domaines suivants:
– Francophone, bilingue français/anglais
– Services à l'enfance
– Services juridiques
– Finance, collecte de fonds
Partagez avec votre réseau si vous pensez connaitre des personnes qui souhaitent appliquer!
#hiring #embauche #applytoday #muskoka #ontario #simcoe #childwelfare #hr #humanresources #board #boardmember #volunteer #benevole #membre #conseildadministration
2 weeks ago
We are so grateful to Giant Tiger, Cundles Road E in Barrie for helping to spread the word about our #RideForRefuge event and provide snacks and supplies as a Goods & Services Sponsor!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? It’s not too late! Contact us!
Our ability to support …local victims of human trafficking is made possible by the support of our community. We couldn’t do it without you!
To learn more, register, or donate to our Ride for Refuge campaign, visit the link in our bio.
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Nous sommes très reconnaissants envers Giant Tiger, Cundles Road E à Barrie d'avoir aidé à faire connaître notre événement #RideForRefuge et d’offrir des snacks et fournitures en tant que parrain Biens & Services!
Intéressé pour devenir un sponsor? Ce n’est pas trop tard! Contactez-nous!
Notre capacité à soutenir les victimes locales de la traite des personnes est rendue possible grâce au soutien de notre communauté. Nous ne pourrions pas le faire sans vous !
Pour en savoir plus, vous inscrire ou faire un don à notre campagne Ride for Refuge, visitez le lien dans notre bio.
#ride24 #rideforrefuge #charity #nonprofit #barrie #simcoe #muskoka #canada #ontario #humantrafficking #fundraising #event #children #child #youth #community #communities #families #family #partners #ride #bike #walk
2 weeks ago
Today, we recognize Sisters in Spirit Day and the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people (MMIWG).
This day draws communities together across Canada to honour the lives of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and gender …diverse people as well as to show support for grieving families and to educate the public on this national tragedy towards action.
Visit https://www.nwac.ca/ and https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1590523702000/1590523850562 to read the report and for more information.
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Aujourd’hui, nous reconnaissance, La journée Sisters in Spirit et la Journée nationale d’action pour les femmes et les filles autochtones, et personnes 2SLGBTQ+ disparues et assassinées (MMIWG).
La journée rassemble les communautés à travers le Canada pour honorer les vies des Femmes et Filles autochtones disparues et assassinées, et les personnes de divers genres, ainsi que de montrer le soutien pour les familles en deuil et éduquer le public sur cette tragédie nationale et se concentre sur l’action.
Visitez https://www.nwac.ca/ et https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1590523702000/1590523850562 pour lire le rapport et pour plus d’informations.
#indigenous #MMIWG #sistersinspit #truthandreconciliation #remember #calltoaction #canada #ontario #simcoe #muskoka #families #communities #children #equity #inclusion #truth #reconciliation #women #girl #2slgbtq+ #firstnations #inuit #metis
2 weeks ago
We are so grateful to the Barrie Police Association for helping to spread the word about our #RideForRefuge event and be one of our generous Route Sponsor!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? It's not too late! Contact us!
Our ability to support local victims of human …trafficking is made possible by the support of our community. We couldn’t do it without you!
To learn more, register, or donate to our Ride for Refuge campaign, visit the link in our bio.
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Nous sommes très reconnaissants envers Barrie Police Association d'avoir aidé à faire connaître notre événement #RideForRefuge et d’être l’un de nos généreux parrains sur la Route!
Intéressé pour devenir un sponsor? Ce n'est pas trop tard! Contactez-nous!
Notre capacité à soutenir les victimes locales de la traite des personnes est rendue possible grâce au soutien de notre communauté. Nous ne pourrions pas le faire sans vous !
Pour en savoir plus, vous inscrire ou faire un don à notre campagne Ride for Refuge, visitez le lien dans notre bio.
#ride24 #rideforrefuge #charity #nonprofit #barrie #simcoe #muskoka #canada #ontario #humantrafficking #fundraising #event #children #child #youth #community #communities #families #family #partners #ride #bike #walk