In keeping with our commitment to privacy and confidentiality for our clients, we do not publicly discuss any information about clients or former clients and their families. To protect privacy, we will not confirm that any individual is, or was, a Kinark client.
To protect the privacy and confidentiality of children and families receiving services from our agency, and to maintain an appropriate environment for our clients, photography and filming activities at any of our sites is prohibited. More privacy information is available on our Privacy page.
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries please contact:
Communications Department
communications@kinark.on.ca
Kinark Child and Family Services Teams Up with EMHware to Support Operational Efficiency
EMHware, an EverHealth brand and provider of the premier cloud-based agency management solution, announced today that Kinark Child and Family Services, a leading child and youth service provider, is using EMHware to help improve access, efficiencies, and outcomes for its clients.
Keeping Kids, Families and our Staff Safe: Kinark Child and Family Services’ Vaccine Policy
The safety and wellbeing of Kinark’s clients and their families, and our staff, is Kinark’s top priority. The risks of the current COVID-19 pandemic have meant we have had to make a number of changes to our services and processes to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Vaccination against COVID-19 has proven to be one of the most effective public health measures available to protect people, communities and our health services. Public health evidence has shown that that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.
We want you to know that as of November 15, following best advice from public health experts, all of the staff working at Kinark, our volunteers, students and contractors will have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless they have an approved medical or human rights exemption. In order to protect you, we will continue to wear personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves, and continue to deeply clean all of our sites.
We encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada have been proven safe to use and effective. They are available in your community and they are free. Sign up for your vaccine through the provincial booking system.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Ontario government’s COVID-19 website here.
Don’t give up on these kids
The Ontario government is closing a specialized mental health treatment program for primarily Black, Indigenous and racialized kids just at the same time mental health issues are sharply rising in the province. The immediate impact of closing this program is an increased risk of suicides and hospitalization – at a time when pressure on hospitals must be reduced.
Kinark Delivers Virtual Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kinark offices and locations are closed to the public. Kinark has launched virtual clinical services for clients in community-based Child and Youth Mental Health, Autism and Intensive Support and Supervision Programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are regularly assessing and re-assessing our clients’ needs and adjusting our approach to service and support as needed. Our menu of available services continues to expand. We are also working with the Ministry of the Attorney General to explore options for virtual Supervised Access visits.
March 5, 2019 – Kinark Response to Government of Ontario Autism Program Changes
In response to questions from our clients about recent changes made to the Ontario Autism Program by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, and after further clarifying how the proposed changes may be implemented, Kinark has prepared the following statement which outlines our response, recommendations and how we are working to support Ontario families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
June 1, 2017 – Kinark Named a 2017 Digital Transformation Awards Finalist
Kinark has been named one of 26 finalists in IT World’s inaugural Digital Transformation Awards.
Launched in January 2017 to inspire Canadian organizations to embrace the latest technology, the Awards program recognizes digital transformation excellence across the country in both the private and public sectors.
TELUS nominated Kinark for one of four awards that will be handed out at the Digital Transformation Conference to be held in Toronto on June 14th.
Before its digital transformation began in 2016 the agency was using multiple legacy systems and working with different carriers and suppliers to manage various aspects of its business.
Working closely with TELUS, Apple, Cisco, Microsoft and other partners the organization is now into the second year of a five-year IT Roadmap to upgrade its infrastructure and systems, which includes the adoption of integrated cloud-based solutions for voice/data, telecom, human resources, financial, clinical information systems, mobile devices and security.
These investments will help Kinark improve service delivery, and enhance productivity and communications across all of our program streams and sites. “Ultimately, our goal is to improve the experience clients and families have with our organization,” says Kinark Chief Information Officer, Karim Ramji.
Karim, who will be a guest panelist for a discussion on Digital Healthcare at the conference, says being nominated and named a finalist is a real feather in Kinark’s cap.
“We’re in great company,” he says. “It’s a real honour to be named a finalist alongside companies such as Barrick Gold, CIBC and Canadian Tire.”
Upgrading Technology to Better Serve Clients
Kinark is in the process of upgrading the technology across the agency in partnership with TELUS in order to provide better services to our staff and clients. During this process, TELUS has learned more about the work we do and how their technological solutions are helping us to improve the services and supports we provide to children, youth and their families. To showcase Kinark’s partnership with TELUS, the following video was produced by TELUS, with the assistance of Kinark staff across several of our offices. We are pleased to now share it with you.
Media Releases
Wednesday, June 25, 2020
Kinark Child and Family Services Closes Childcare Programs in Georgina, Ontario
GEORGINA, ON, June 25, 2020 – After more than 25 years of providing childcare in Georgina, Kinark has made the very difficult decision to close all our childcare programs.
Read More
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Children’s Mental Health Ontario releases 2016 Annual Report Card
TORONTO, May 3, 2016 – Children’s Mental Health Ontario has released their 2nd Annual Report Card on the current state of Ontario’s child and youth mental health system that features new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
Most notable is new data that shows now one in four children are having mental health issues by the time they are 18 years of age. This is up from the previous, one in five statistic. Also notable is a 54 per cent increase in emergency department visits and a 60 per cent increase hospitalizations for children and youth seeking mental health treatment.
Monday April 20, 2015
Children’s Mental Health Week: Triple P parenting expert & parent available for interview
TORONTO, ON, April 20, 2015
Parents who use positive parenting strategies in their day-to-day interactions with their families often find that their children are not the only ones to benefit.
Read More
Monday May 6, 2013
Kinark Child and Family Services Launches ‘Rise Against Stigma’ Campaign
MARKHAM, ON, May 6, 2013 /CNW/
On Friday, Kinark Child and Family Services launched its ‘Rise Against Stigma’, online campaign to recognize Children’s Mental Health Week, which occurs from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12, 2013.
Read More
Monday May 6, 2013
Parents Invited to Free Presentation on Tuesday, May 7: “Understanding Mood Problems in Children and Adolescents: From Mood Swings to Depression and Bipolar Disorder”
PETERBOROUGH, ON, May 6, 2013 /CNW/
Peterborough Healthy Families invites parents and caregivers to a free presentation entitled, “Understanding Mood Problems in Children and Adolescents: From Mood Swings to Depression and Bipolar Disorder” on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Library.
Read More
Thursday May 2, 2013
Jelisa Clarke and Ron Bartley receive 22nd Annual Krista Sepp Memorial Awards
MARKHAM, ON, May 2, 2013 /CNW/
On May, 2, 2013, Ron Bartley, Senior Child and Youth Worker, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, and Jelisa Clarke, Child and Youth Counsellor, Vanier Children’s Services, received the 2013 Krista Sepp Memorial Awards in recognition of their service to children and families.
Read More
Tuesday May 8, 2012
Kinark takes aim at bullying with Children’s Mental Health Week video and photo contest
MARKHAM, ON, May 8, 2012 /CNW/
Kinark Child and Family Services is stopping the stigma and starting a conversation about Children’s Mental Health with Facebook photo and video contests during Children’s Mental Health Week (CMHW) May 6 to 12. Read More
Kinark In the News
May 7, 2021 – Demand for children’s mental health help grows amid the pandemic
CTV News Barrie
Experts in children’s mental health are concerned that the demand for help during the pandemic has increased. In Barrie, both the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Kinark Child and Family Services say clients seek more help to cope with the pandemic.
To read the full article, click here.
May 6, 2021 – Kids in crisis: Inside Ontario’s overloaded mental-health system
TVO.org
TVO.org investigates what happens to youth when a strained mental-health system meets a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. According to Cynthia Weaver, chief operating officer of the community-based mental-health provider Kinark Child and Family Services, a number of the children the organization works with haven’t managed well virtually. “For some youth who have fairly significant and complex mental-health issues, they really need to connect in person,” she says. “And when they get into crisis, they really do need that individual support within the same room as them.”
To read the full article, click here.
April 29, 2021 – Canada and Ontario Invest over $44 M in Improved Culture, Recreation, and Green Infrastructure in Partnership with 15 Communities Across Ontario
Ministry of Infrastructure
The Kinark Outdoor Centre (KOC) will receive nearly $1.5 million in grant funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure. This grant is part of a $13 million joint federal and provincial government partnership to improve local cultural and recreational facilities in Ontario through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. To read more about how the funds will be used at the KOC, click here.
December 7, 2020 – Supporting Children’s Mental Health This Winter
Global News
Children are dealing with the pandemic too. As numerous children’s wellness agencies put efforts into mental health awareness, we speak with Cynthia Weaver of Kinark Child and Family Services. Together we look into some of the ways our children express mental health issues, how parents can help kids navigate the winter months ahead, and list of some of the helpful resources in the community and online. Watch the video.
July 28, 2017 – Autism Ontario Summer Camp Focuses on Fun
Toronto Star
At Camp AOK, kids with autism can take a break from everyday challenges, let loose and just be kids. Read one youth’s story about how the camp, including visits to the Kinark Outdoor Centre, help him do exactly this.
Read More
To learn more about the Kinark Outdoor Centre, go here: http://www.koc.on.ca/.
To learn more about Autism Ontario, go here: http://www.autismontario.com.
December 21, 2015 – MHCC Conference Conference: Improving mental health outcomes for emerging adults
Mental Health Commission of Canada
In November, the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Consensus Conference on the Mental Health of Emerging Adults brought together emerging adults, families, service providers, and policy makers from across the country to develop recommendations for improving the mental health of emerging adults living in Canada. The panel, delegates, and 16-person jury, including Kinark’s President and CEO, Cathy Paul, presented draft guiding principles and an initial set of recommendations for improving mental health outcomes for emerging adults.
Read More
November 15, 2013 – Change stigma over mental health: Researcher
Peterborough Examiner
Dr. Heather Stuart, Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair, gave a public lecture about the impact of media stereotypes of mental illness on the attitudes and beliefs of the general public and children. Dr. Stuart’s lecture is the first of a series four on children’s mental health, presented by the Healthy Families Centre Community Partners, including Kinark Child and Family Services.
Read More
May 7, 2013 – Students Learn About Bullying and Mental Health
CHEX Television Peterborough
Jacob Wilson and Jessica Vallentyne, Kinark Child and Family Services youth ambassadors, took the Rise Against Stigma Campaign on the road to Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School students in Peterborough, Ontario. They shared their experiences overcoming mental illness and bullying.
May 8, 2013 – Teens Share their Stories of Overcoming Depression, Bullying and Mental Health Challenges
Peterborough Examiner
Jacob Wilson, 18, of Barrie, and Jessica Vallentyne, 23, of Keswick, former client of Kinark Child and Family Services, spoke to Grade 10 students at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School about their experiences overcoming mental illness and bullying.
Read More
May 9, 2013 – Children’s Mental Health
CBC Radio Metro Morning
As a part of Kinark Child and Family Services’ Rise Against Stigma campaign, Jessica Vallentyne, one of Kinark’s youth ambassadors, spoke to CBC Radio Metro Morning’s Matt Galloway in Toronto about how she overcame her struggle with childhood depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies.
Listen
May 10, 2013 – Children’s Mental Health
CBC Radio Metro Morning
As a part of Kinark Child and Family Services Rise Against Stigma campaign, Jacob Wilson, one of Kinark’s youth ambassadors, spoke to Matt Galloway of CBC Radio Metro Morning in Toronto about how he overcame his struggle of being bullied to the point of attempting suicide.
Listen
May 13, 2013 – Dealing with Mental Health
CBC Radio Metro Morning
Kinark Child and Family Services social worker, Vickie Dickinson, spoke to Matt Galloway of CBC Radio’s Metro Morning about how we are helping kids/youth find tools they need to cope with mental health struggles.
Listen