OACAS responds to jury recommendations from the Inquest into the death of Jeffrey Baldwin

TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - On the anniversary of the Inquest into Jeffrey Baldwin's death, the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) has provided the Coroner's Office with its response to the recommendations assigned by the jury on Feb.14, 2014.

Jeffrey Baldwin's death in 2002 was a tragedy that has affected the entire child welfare sector. Its impact has reverberated through the system, precipitating numerous changes in the past decade.

Last year's Inquest into Jeffrey Baldwin's death provided additional meaningful insight into his death and continued opportunities for improvement. OACAS welcomed the 103 recommendations of the jury, a significant number of which were directed at OACAS and Children's Aid Societies. Since the Inquest OACAS has worked with its member agencies and with Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto to develop a coordinated and comprehensive approach to responding to the recommendations.

Mary Ballantyne, Executive Director of the OACAS says, "We can't allow Jeffrey Baldwin's death to be in vain. Children's Aid Societies along with OACAS take the jury's recommendations very seriously. We are actively working to improve our practices."

The OACAS response to the Coroner addresses each of the recommendations that were assigned. Over half the recommendations have been or will be implemented. The remaining recommendations are going through continued careful analysis with recommendations for best practice approaches expected to be made in June 2015.

About the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies: Since 1912, OACAS has represented Ontario's Children's Aid Societies in Ontario and provided service in the areas of government relations, communications, information management, education and training to advocate for the protection and well-being of children. http://www.oacas.org

SOURCE Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

Image with caption: "Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (CNW Group/Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150211_C8297_PHOTO_EN_12007.jpg

Christina Campbell, Advocacy and Media Relations Specialist, [phone] or [email protected]