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You may want to begin by contacting your family doctor. A physical examination may help rule out certain illnesses that may look like a mental health problem. A visit to your doctor is necessary before any medication is considered.
As your local children’s mental health centre, we are also here to help. Our approach is to listen closely to what you as a child/youth or parent are identifying as your needs, and it is our job to understand what changes you would like to see. We combine this information from other sources such as the referral source and then we make an assessment with your consent of the type of services we think is most appropriate. Your strengths will assist us a great deal in creating a plan that will build on developing a treatment plan together.
Most of our services are offered in our offices in either Bracebridge or Huntsville. We also offer crisis responses that may occur in your home. These crisis responses must include an assessment that a child or youth is at imminent risk and that cannot wait to go through our normal intake process. You may need to proceed to the local hospital for emergency services and or if you already have a CMH therapist, every effort will be made to connect you with that individual when you are in crisis. However, if that individual is not available or if your are in crisis outside of our regular office hours, we will have a worker available to assist you with seeking the most appropriate services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
General: November 18, 2010
If a child/youth is under the age of 18 and resides within the District of Muskoka, you may certainly qualify for one of our broad range of services under Mental Health. Contact our agency and ask to speak with one of our Intake screeners.
Under Child Welfare, you are eligible for service if a child is under age 16, resides in the District of Muskoka and there is suspicion of child abuse or neglect, or family conflict occurring that may be impacting children.
General: November 18, 2010
Mental health can be about how we feel about ourselves and our lives, how we view ourselves and our future, how we cope with ups and downs of everyday life, how stress impacts our living, and our overall sense of self esteem.
Typical feelings of sadness, worry, anger, fear and grief can occur through certain events in our lives. All children and youth may experience brief problems with some or all of these, but these feelings are often temporary. When the problem starts to interfere with school, family, or everyday living, it may be time to seek help.
A mental health disorder is a behavioural, emotional, or cognitive pattern of functioning that can be associated with distress or suffering that may interfere with one or several areas of our life. Mental health disorders can occur at any age and contributing factors may include; genetics, e.g chemical imbalances, genetic influences, negative early life experiences through abuse, neglect, or other trauma.
General: November 18, 2010
Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka strives to provide the highest quality service to families and children. If you have concerns about our services, we want to work together with you to resolve them. Please discuss your concern with your worker or his/her supervisor.
We have two complaint processes, depending on the services you are receiving:
Additional information is available from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services with respect to Child Welfare (CAS) concerns and complaints. There are two pamphlets which may be helpful:
General: November 18, 2010
Family, Youth and Child Services is an integrated Children's Service Agency offering Children's Mental Health, alternatives for youth and Youth Justice programs, and Child Welfare (Children's Aid) services.
General: November 18, 2010
Many mechanisms are in place, from Family Court to provincial offices to communities, to ensure children, youth and their families are getting the services they need.
In addition to reviews conducted by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, many other mechnisms are in place to supervise the work done by agencies:
- The Family Court system is a powerful mechanism that ensures individual client rights are respected and, ultimately, that children are protected. Children's Aid Societies act on decisions made by the justice system.
- The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth provides an independent voice for children and youth. It receives and responds to concerns from children, youth and families who are seeking or receiving services under the Child and Family Services Act.
- The Auditor General's Report presents the findings of special assignments to perform value-for-money audits as requested by the legislature, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, or a Minister of the Crown. It submits reports detailing the findings of its special examinations of Crown corporations to the corporations' boards of directors.
- The Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB) has the authority to hear complaints from families, children and youth receiving services from a CAS. The board hears complaints and reviews decisions made by a CAS. The CFSRB is subject to investigation by the Ombudsman and judicial review by the courts.
- The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario and the Paediatric Death Review Committee investigate child deaths in Ontario, report findings publicly and make recommendations to improve systems of care.
General: November 18, 2010
As an integrated child welfare provider, Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka operates under the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) and reports to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The Ministry is responsible for the legislative and regulatory framework, which includes determining budgets and issuing standards or directives related to the services delivered to children, youth and their families. The Ministry exercises its accountability by monitoring, supervising, reporting, and taking corrective action if needed.
The CFSA is the legislation that determines mandated assessment criteria, documentation required and specific response times when a report of abuse or neglect is made. Child welfare agencies are legislated to:
1. Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect;
2. Protect children where necessary, and provide guidance, counselling and other services to families for protecting children and for the prevention of circumstances requiring the protection of children;
3. Provide care or supervision for children assigned to its care; and
4. Place children for adoption.
General: November 18, 2010
In most instances, abused children will exhibit a number of behavioural and physical indicators. It's not your responsibility to determine if a child is being abused, but it is your call if you believe a child is in need of protection. Please click here to see a list of signs and indicators of abuse.
General: November 18, 2010
If you suspect a child or youth is or may be in need of protection, call Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka immediately at 1-800-680-4426. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.
General: November 18, 2010
Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka accepts donations for a number of initiatives. They are:
Camp Fund (for local children who may not otherwise experience summer camp)
Dick Knight Memorial Award (bursaries for up to three children or youth per year who have overcome adversity and strive to meet their own personal goals)
Gift and Endowment Fund (financial support provided to children in care, or former children in care, who are seeking to further their careers through education, trades, or other means)
You may direct your donations to any of these funds. If you have any further questions, please contact us at 705-645-4426.
General: April 07, 2009
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