Access to Records and Disclosure
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions provides access to child welfare records to individuals who have received; or are currently receiving services pursuant to Part X Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA). We also provide access to Children and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) records to individuals who have received; or are currently receiving services through CYMH Muskoka pursuant to Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). In addition to access to records, we also provide disclosure of records to third parties with valid consent.
CHILD WELFARE RECORDS
Requesting Records
To submit an Access to Records or Disclosure request, please click on the below link to access our Records Request Form.
When making your request for records, you will need:
- A copy of valid government issued photo identification for yourself and anyone signing their own consent.
- The written consent of any person age 12 years and older to release their information. Click here to access the SMFC Consent Form.
- In some circumstances, you may be asked to provide documents confirming your decision-making authority to make a request or provide consent on behalf of a child. The above request form allows you to upload any relevant document, including all consents, copies of identification, and court orders if applicable.
For more information on how we collect, use and share your personal information, please see our Notice of Information Practices at the bottom of this page.
Record Corrections
If you have received your records and believe that they are inaccurate or incomplete you may request a record correction. You have the right to correct your records if you can demonstrate that the records we hold are inaccurate or incomplete. In some cases, instead of making a correction, individuals append a statement of disagreement to their file. To make a record correction request, please follow this link and send the completed request form by email to privacy.officer@familyconnexions.ca.
Click here to review the IPC interpretation bulletin on record correction, which outlines the factors for determining whether an individual’s request to correct a record of personal information held by a service provider may be granted, as per section 315 of Part X of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA). This bulletin explains who may request a correction to a record, when a service provider has a duty to correct, and exceptions to the duty to correct.
CHILD & YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS
Requesting Records
With limited exceptions, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) provides individuals with a right to access their personal health information held by a health information custodian, and sets out a formal procedure for access requests to custodians. An individual may exercise a right of access to a record of personal health information by making a written request for access to the custodian that has custody or control of the information.
To access your Child & Youth Mental Health records, please email us at privacy.officer@familyconnexions.ca to make your request. For further information on relevant Child and Youth Mental Health documents, please visit our CYMH Resources and Document page.
Record Corrections
If you believe that your personal health information in your records held by CYMH Muskoka is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request a correction. You have the right to correct your records if you can demonstrate that the records we hold are inaccurate or incomplete. In some cases, instead of making a correction, we may offer an opportunity to append a statement of disagreement to their file. To make a record correction request, please email us at privacy.officer@familyconnexions.ca.
The IPC (Information and Privacy Commissioner) in Ontario is responsible for ensuring the privacy and access rights of Ontarians are respected. They oversee Ontario laws, including the CYFSA and PHIPA, that set rules for personal information and/or personal health information held by public sector organizations, health sector organizations, or child and family service providers.
Under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), the IPC has jurisdiction over privacy complaints, including related to the collection, use, retention and disclosure of personal health information.
Under Part X of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), the IPC has jurisdiction over privacy complaints related to the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of personal information by children’s aid societies.
If you have a concern or complaint related to your access to records, or request for record correction, please contact us at 1.800.461.4236. Alternatively, you may file a complaint with the Information and Privacy Commissioner who can be contacted at 1-800-387-0073 or info@ipc.on.ca.
Should you have questions regarding the above, please contact us at 1.800.461.4236 or privacy.officer@familyconnexions.ca.
The Ontario Ombudsman’s Office can also take complaints about services received from a Children’s Aid Society. The Ombudsman has created dedicated units of specialized staff to answer questions, address concerns, conduct investigations, and review complaints:
Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
483 Bay Street
10th floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2C9
Toll-free (inside Ontario only): 1-800-263-1830
Outside Ontario: 416-586-3300
TTY (teletypewriter): 1-866-411-4211
Fax: 416-586-3485
Email: info@ombudsman.on.ca
Website: ombudsman.on.ca
Please visit the website to access resources, including a list of brochures and informative posters.
Learn more about your right to complain to a Children’s Aid Society at Submit a complaint about child welfare services.
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions (SMFC) has been actively building relationships with the First Nations communities across the region and restoring the responsibility of providing child welfare services back to indigenous communities.
Between the 1950s and early 1990s, thousands of Indigenous children in Canada were removed from their families and placed with non-Indigenous foster or adoptive caregivers. Those affected lost contact with their families and critical connections to their language, culture, and identity. A class action lawsuit was launched with the intent to compensate those affected. To learn more visit sixtiesscoopsettlement.info.
In order to support Indigenous persons that were involved with the former Children’s Aid Society of Simcoe County or District of Muskoka, either contact us at 1-800-461-4236 or submit a request to Access to Records Request Form
For more information from the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, see Records Reconciliation and Your Rights.
