ADR Methods
Below are the four prescribed methods for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Child & Family Services Act of Ontario.
Indigenous Approaches/Original Dispute Resolution (ODR) is a decision-making process for resolving disputes between a children’s aid society (CAS) and the family of child(ren) who are (or may be) in need of protection. Funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) supports the use of ADR if a court intervention is being considered, is pending, or is in progress.
Family Group Conferencing (FGC) is a decision-making process for resolving disputes between a children’s aid society (CAS) and the family of a child who is (or may be) in need of protection. Funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) supports the use of ADR if a court intervention is being considered, is pending, or is in progress.
Child Protection Mediation (CPM) is a decision-making process for resolving disputes between a children’s aid society (CAS) and the family of a child who is (or may be) in need of protection. Funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) supports the use of ADR if a court intervention is being considered, is pending, or is in progress.
The 4th Option or “Other” is a unique method of ADR to be utilized in circumstances where one of the other prescribed methods (FGC, CPM or ODR) is not available or where another method is deemed more suitable. This is a decision-making process for resolving disputes between a children’s aid society (CAS) and the family of a child who is (or may be) in need of protection. Funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) supports the use of ADR if a court intervention is being considered, is pending, or is in progress. There are specific criteria for 4th Option or “Other” referrals.