Message from the Associate Chair
On behalf of the Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB), I am pleased to welcome you to our website.
On January 25th, 2011, the Child and Family Services Review Board became part of the newly designated social justice tribunals cluster. This second cluster brings together our Board and six other important adjudicative tribunals –Custody Review Board, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Landlord and Tenant Board, Social Benefits Tribunal and Special Education Tribunal (English) and Special Education Tribunal (French). The mandate of these tribunals is to provide all Ontarians with timely access to specialized, expert and effective dispute resolution in a wide range of matters that profoundly affect their everyday lives.
The cluster is led by Executive Chair Michael Gottheil. The former Chairs of the seven adjudicative tribunals were re-designated as Associate Chairs. You may find more information about the Executive Chair, the social justice tribunals cluster, its structure and access to the seven tribunals website at www.sjto.gov.on.ca.
The CFSRB is an adjudicative tribunal that conducts reviews and hearings on a number of matters affecting children, youth and families in Ontario. The Board operates under the jurisdiction of the Child and Family Services Act, Education Act and Intercountry Adoption Act.
The Board has been conducting reviews and hearings since 1979. With amendments made to the Child and Family Services Act in December 2006, the Board has become a much larger tribunal with a significantly expanded mandate.
This website provides easy access to information regarding all aspects of the Board’s work. The website also ensures that Board decisions and processes are open and transparent to the people of Ontario.
It is our hope that the Board’s website offers you useful and detailed information and assists service providers and the many children, youth and parents involved with the educational, child welfare and mental health systems in understanding their rights for a review or an appeal of a decision that affects their lives.
Thank you for visiting our website.
Suzanne Gilbert,
Associate Chair
April 2011