In situations where a child is or may be in need of protection, a Children’s Aid Society (CAS) must consider ADR if there is a possibility of going to court or already court involvement. When contested cases go to court, they take a long time to finish and it costs everyone involved a great deal of money, time, and emotional pain. Children may be left in limbo and not knowing what the future holds for them or how they will see their family. Also, the court process becomes a competition where only one side can “win.” When a judge decides the outcome after a trial, someone always walks away unhappy with the outcome and the family has lost the opportunity to develop their own family solution to the problems. ADR provides an opportunity for families to “have their say” and create a workable plan for the children.

Any family that is involved in a child protection matter involving the CAS where there is a possibility of going to court or already court involvement may fit the criteria to participate in ADR. Participants may include family, extended family, community supports, legal representatives, OCL (Office of the Children’s Lawyer), Elders, Chiefs, Band Representatives and other supports.

ADR-Link is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) to provide ADR to families, CAS and First Nation communities at no cost to the participants. Additional costs associated with the ADR process are approved on a case by case basis.

Please click here for the referral process.

The length of process can vary depending on the type of ADR method and nature of the referral. Practitioners require time to consult and prepare participants as part of the ADR process. After the initial consultation, the Practitioner will be able to estimate how long your particular process will take.

Participants are asked to complete feedback at the end of the ADR process. Having your feedback helps us all continually improve the process for users of the service.

• ADR participant feedback forms can be found here.
• CAS feedback forms can be found here.
• Practitioner feedback forms can be found here.

Each region of Ontario has its own referral process. ADR-Link serves 8 counties in the South West Region. For information about child protection ADR in other parts of Ontario, contact your local CAS.

Child Protection Mediation
The Ontario Association for Family Mediation is the approved trainer for child protection mediation in Ontario. For more information please click here.

Family Group Conferencing
The George Hull Centre is the approved trainer for family group conferencing in Ontario. For more information please click here.

Indigenous Approaches/ODR
According to Ministry guidelines, Practitioners interested in practicing Indigenous Approaches/ODR must follow specific criteria. This criterion includes being recognized by the Indigenous community with whom the child is affiliated or by an Indigenous organization as qualified to engage in Indigenous Approaches/ODR, possess knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act, and hold a satisfactory criminal record check completed within the last three years. For more information, please contact ADR-Link.

4th Option/Other Approaches
According to Ministry guidelines, Practitioners interested in practicing the “4th Option” or “Other” must meet a number of requirements. For more information, please contact ADR-Link.