“When the OVOV team approached us about helping them execute this plan, it was a no brainer for us,” says ByBlacks.com co-founder Roger Dundas. “The ByBlacks team is so passionate about serving our local communities. It is a chance to help address disparities in outcomes within the child welfare system and it is something we immediately wanted to be part of.”

In Ontario, Black children and youth are disproportionately taken into care. There are many cases where the parents of these children and youth are referred to resources that are not culturally or racially appropriate. This further adds to their trauma of being separated from their children. The Black Service directory features clinical practitioners, businesses, services and community organizations that provide culturally and racially appropriate services for Black families.

“Phase II of OVOV came to an end on March 29, 2019. This resource is an important part of OVOV’s foundational work and legacy for the African Canadian community in the province so that any family engaged with the child welfare system has access to a list of culturally relevant services that fit their needs," says Kike Ojo, Project Lead, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, One Vision One Voice Project

“As Phase II of OVOV winds down, we are pleased that the OVOV team has built this partnership with ByBlacks.com. Availability of a publicly accessible database of Black Services means that there is transparency in ensuring that members of the Black community are able to advocate for appropriate services and resources for Black families engaged with CAS and societies can also access the same information at any time,” says Julian Hasford, Chair, African Canadian Provincial Advisory Council, OACAS

To browse the directory, visit: https://byblacks.com/directory/black-youth-family-services

For more information visit: www.oacas.org/onevisiononevoice

About the One Vision One Voice Project

Aligned with A Better Way Forward: Ontario’s 3-Year Anti-Racism Strategic Plan, OACAS through One Vision One Voice, and in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the African Canadian community, has taken a leadership role in working to combat the overrepresentation, address the disproportionalities and eliminate the disparities experienced by African Canadians engaged with child welfare agencies.

About the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies

Since 1912, OACAS has represented Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario and provided service in the areas of government relations, communications, information management, education and training to advocate for the protection and well-being of children.

About ByBlacks.com

ByBlacks.com is Canada's #1 Black online magazine, highlighting Black-owned Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs with a mix of news and entertainment. Founded in 2013 by Roger and Camille Dundas, the magazine has been acknowledged by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for highlighting Canadian Black excellence. It has won the Innovation Award from the Canadian Ethnic Media Association and won the best online magazine award from the National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada.