Resources
Forms
ADR-Link Referral Form
While the suggestion for ADR can be made by any party including the court, currently, the referrals can be submitted by one of the eight CASs or ten First Nation communities within the South West region of Ontario.
For a case to qualify for the ADR process and receive the MCCSS funding available through ADR-Link, there must be a clear decision that a court intervention is being considered, is pending or is in progress. Additionally, a referral must come from one of the eight CASs or ten First Nation communities in the South West Region of Ontario, specifically:
- Bruce-Grey Children’s Aid Society
- Chatham-Kent Children’s Aid Society
- Elgin-St. Thomas Children’s Aid Society
- Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society
- London-Middlesex Children’s Aid Society
- Oxford Children’s Aid Society
- Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society
- Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society
- Aamjiwnaang First Nation (Chippewas of Sarnia)
- Caldwell First Nation
- Chippewas of Nawash First Nation
- Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation
- Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
- Delaware Nation Moravian of the Thames
- Munsee Delaware Nation
- Oneida Nation of the Thames
- Saugeen First Nation
- Walpole Island First Nation
Steps of the Referral Process
- If the referral agent is CAS, discuss the case with your supervisor. Some cases are not amenable to ADR or the referral may be premature. Your agency may have policies around inclusionary and exclusionary criteria. If the referral agent is an Indigenous community member, consult the Band or ADR-Link for your specific community referral contact.
- Discuss the possibility of ADR with the family and get their agreement to consider ADR.
- If this is an Indigenous family, regardless of who is making the referral, the Band is to be consulted.
- Obtain written consent from all key parties, including children 12 and over, to make the referral to ADR-Link. Use your agency or communities own general consent form for this.
- Complete all sections of the ADR-Link referral form. Submit the completed referral form, OCL notification form and signed consents to ADR-Link.
Download the form and submit via fax at (519) 679-4234 or email to [email protected].
OCL Notification Form
Use this form to notify the Office of the Children’s Lawyer of the intention to make a referral for ADR. You will be required to include the names and dates of birth of the children, your contact information, names and contact information for parents/caregivers, names and contact information of any other expected participants, nature of court proceeding, description of protection concerns, issues proposed for ADR, and the nature of any on-going criminal investigation and/or prosecution. If the proposed ADR is in relation to an openness order, you will be asked to attach a copy of that order in your submission.
Download the form and submit by the referral agent via fax to the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, (416) 314-8050 attn: ADR Intake Coordinator.
CAS Feedback Form
As a CAS worker, ADR-Link needs your opinions and feedback about the process and outcome. Please complete this 2-page survey for each referral at the close of the ADR process, even if no ADR took place. This information is collected to aid the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services as it plans for the next steps of child protection ADR in Ontario.
Download the form and submit via fax at (519) 679-4234 or email to [email protected].
Participant Feedback Form
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.
Download the form.
As a Practitioner for ADR-Link in the South West Region of Ontario, this form asks you to describe case-specific details of the ADR process and outcome and provide feedback on the referral process. Complete this form for each referral as you close the file, including those not reaching completion.
Download the form and submit via fax at (519) 679-4234 or email to [email protected].
Brochures
Links
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: ADR Policy Directive CW 005-06
- Policy directive: CW 003-23 — Preparing Youth for Successful Transition from CAS
- Child and Family Services Act
- Ontario Regulation 496-06, Methods and Procedures Regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Office of the Children's Lawyer
- Linck Child, Youth and Family Supports
- Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex
- Children’s Aid Society of Owen Sound & the Bruce Grey
- Children’s Aid Society of Oxford County
- Family & Children’s Services of St. Thomas & Elgin County
- Huron Perth Children’s Aid Society
- Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society
- Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society
- Aamjiwnaang First Nation (Chippewas of Sarnia)
- Caldwell First Nation
- Chippewas of Nawash First Nation
- Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation
- Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
- Delaware Nation Moravian of the Thames
- Munsee Delaware Nation
- Oneida Nation of the Thames
- Saugeen First Nation
- Walpole Island First Nation
- Mnaasged Child & Family Services
Protection Services for 16- and 17-year olds - Information for Youth-Serving Agencies
Protection Services for 16- and 17-year olds - Information for Youth
Protection Services for 16- and 17-year olds - Information for Youth (Français)
Ready, Set, Go Guide