How do I make a report about a child I am worried about?

If a person believes that a child may be in need of protection because of child abuse or neglect, they are required to report their concerns to a child welfare agency. To make a report, call our Intake Services at 204-857-8751 or toll free (in MB) at 1-888-339-3576. The toll free number is also our emergency services number, available 24-hours-a-day-7-days-a-week after general office hours which are Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Is Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba a government agency?

Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba (CFS Central) is a private, community based, non-government, non-profit organization in existence since 1934. We are part of the Child and Family Services General Authority which includes private agencies like our own as well as government regional operations. The mandate of the Agency to provide services comes from the Manitoba Child and Family Services Act. The majority of our funding for mandated protective services is provided by the General Authority. Funding for our family strengthening programs however is provided by public, private, individual, corporate and community donors as well as Foundations, grants and sponsorships.

How can I become involved to help CFS Central?

There are many ways that community members can become involved with the work of CFS Central:

• Become a member by purchasing a membership for either one or three years. As a member, you have a voice at our annual general meetings and can let your name stand for nomination as a Board of Directors member.
• Become a volunteer and work with people in a variety of roles within our family strengthening programs and services.
• Become a foster parent and play a very important role in a child’s future. When children are unable to remain in their homes, we need community members who are willing to open their hearts and their homes to these children.
• Make a financial donation towards our family strengthening programs to keep them operating. While CFS Central is provincially funded for mandated protection services, we rely on public, private, corporate and community support as well as grants, sponsorships and Foundations to operate our family strengthening programs, programs which we believe can lead to fewer families in need of protective services.

How do I make a complaint about my worker?

Given the nature of child welfare work, there are occasions when clients are not satisfied with their response from the Agency. In those cases, we encourage you to pursue the internal appeal process. Initially, we hope you will raise your concerns directly with your worker. If you continue to be dissatisfied, then speak with the worker’s supervisor, who will guide you through the Internal Appeal Process.

External sources of Appeal include:

• the General Authority
• the Office of the Child Advocate

What area of the province does CFS Central cover?

CFS Central serves an area in South Central Manitoba, reaching a population of approximately 109,000. Our main office, and Family Resource Centre are in Portage la Prairie, and our other office is in Winkler. We reach as far north as Alonsa, south to the U.S.A. border, west to Victora, Lorne and North Norfolk, and east to Winnipeg’s western boundaries.