The history of child welfare in Simcoe County has its roots with the passing of the "Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to and the Better Protection of Children" in the Ontario Parliament of 1893. Because of this legislation, the first Department of Dependent and Neglected Children was formed under Mr. J.J. Kelso, known since, as the father of child welfare in Ontario. With this Act, socially conscious individuals throughout the Province were encouraged to incorporate Children's Aid Societies into their communities.
The Barrie Society was formed at a Public Meeting on February 6, 1894, which 25 interested people attended. Orillia followed soon after with a meeting to organize on June 29, 1894.
More Societies were formed in the County over the next several years; Collingwood in May, 1897, and Midland in August, 1907. The formation of an Alliston Branch came much later after the Lt. Governor granted the Barrie Society a charter to represent the whole County on November 26, 1913.
The most supportive members of these early societies were the active members of the town clergy, ladies church auxiliaries and prominent business men. All the work of the Society was done by these members on a volunteer basis, aided by the local Police when necessary.
The first County Shelter was opened in 1914 and operated until 1944 when the Society recognized the growing importance of foster care. For years, Shelter staff were the only paid employees doing County Child Welfare work. In fact, the first C.A.S. staff member was not hired until 1916, and this individual, Mr. W. J. Justice, served 21 years as the sole paid employee, using volunteer staff to help fulfill his duties. The coming of World War II increased the work of the Society and by 1945, staff had increased to 7 Social Workers and 5 Secretaries.
Over the years, the Society has had a change of focus shifting from removing children from their families to keeping families together wherever possible. The Children's Aid Society of the County of Simcoe presently employs over 100 staff to serve the ever increasing population of Simcoe County. We are looking forward to our next one hundred years as we move towards the millenium with high hopes for the children who count on us.