Ontario CAS Terms Explained | SafeHarbor Family Aid

  • A Temporary Care Agreement (TCA) is a voluntary arrangement between parents and the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in Ontario. Under a TCA:

    • CAS temporarily cares for your child, usually for a set period, while parents retain legal rights such as decision-making and visitation.

    • Parents can agree to specific terms about how their child is cared for, including living arrangements, schooling, and medical decisions.

    • TCAs are often used when parents are experiencing temporary difficulties, such as health issues, financial challenges, or other situations that make day-to-day care difficult.

    Key Points:

    • Parents are not giving up their rights permanently—the TCA is meant to be short-term.

    • CAS is responsible for day-to-day care and safety, but parents can often stay involved and maintain contact.

    • TCAs are legally binding once signed, so understanding the terms before agreeing is critical.

    How SafeHarbor helps:

    • We explain every clause in the TCA so parents know their rights and obligations.

    • We provide guidance on visitation, communication with CAS, and record-keeping.

    • Our support helps parents ensure a smooth return of the child once the temporary period ends.

    • We can help families negotiate terms that protect the child’s best interests while maintaining parental rights.

    ✅ Why this matters:
    A TCA can be a positive, flexible solution for families in temporary crisis—but only if parents fully understand the agreement. With SafeHarbor’s support, families can maintain control, contact, and clarity during this period.

  • Visits in CAS-approved setting with worker present.

    Supervised Access means that visits with your child must occur in a CAS-approved setting—like a CAS office or a designated community location—with a worker or trained supervisor present. These visits are designed to:

    • Ensure the safety and well-being of the child.

    • Provide a structured environment for parents and children to interact.

    • Help CAS assess family dynamics, progress, and readiness for more independence.

    How SafeHarbor helps:

    • We guide parents on best practices during supervised visits, so every visit is positive and constructive.

    • We provide coaching on communication, bonding techniques, and conflict management.

    • Our support can help demonstrate to CAS that the parent is ready for less restrictive visits.

    • Ultimately, we help families transition from supervised to unsupervised visits safely and effectively, increasing the likelihood of expanded access.

  • Visits without supervision once trust is established.

    Unsupervised Access allows parents to spend time with their child without a CAS worker present, typically in the family home or another agreed-upon location. These visits are granted when CAS has confidence that:

    • The child is safe with the parent.

    • The parent consistently demonstrates responsible caregiving and appropriate boundaries.

    • Progress has been made on any court- or CAS-mandated goals.

    How SafeHarbor helps:

    • We prepare parents to maintain consistency, safety, and healthy routines during unsupervised visits.

    • We help document progress from supervised visits, which CAS often requires to approve unsupervised access.

    • We support families in creating a smooth transition plan, reducing stress for both parent and child.

  • A court order where your child remains at home but CAS monitors the family for 3–12 months.

    👉 We guide parents to meet conditions without prolonging CAS involvement.

  • 📂 Protection Application – CAS asks a judge to decide if a child needs protection.
    🔄 Status Review Application – CAS requests court to extend, change, or end an order.

    Intake – CAS receives a report and decides whether to investigate.
    Investigation – Worker meets the family, speaks to the child, assesses risk.
    Case Conference – Meeting to review progress, risks, and next steps.
    Risk Assessment – CAS scores family situations to determine child safety.
    Plan of Care – Outlines how your child’s needs will be met.
    Service Plan – Steps CAS requires parents to complete (parenting programs, therapy).

  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Kinship Care – Child lives with relatives or close family friends approved by CAS.
    🛏️ Foster Care – Child placed with foster parents approved by CAS.
    🏢 Group Home – Child lives in a residential program with multiple youth and staff.
    💞 Adoption – Permanent transfer of parental rights to adoptive parents.

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