Historical Timeline: Children's Aid Society of Oxford County
|
Year |
Event |
| 1894 |
The first recorded meeting of the Woodstock Children's Aid Society is held at the Woodstock YMCA. Mr. George R. Pattullo becomes the first President of the Board. |
| 1895 |
The Children's Aid Society of the Town of Woodstock receives its official charter under the Children's Protection Act of 1893. Retired farmer and Board member, Daniel Larke, is appointed as the first Local Agent. |
|
1900 |
A shortage of foster homes in Woodstock results in some children being placed at the House of Refuge and the London Children's Shelter. |
| 1909 |
At age 80 Daniel Larke resigns as the Local Agent and is succeeded by Reverend C.S. Pedley former Minister of the Congregational Church in Woodstock. |
|
1914 |
The Society purchases the Nellis property which is converted into the Woodstock Children's Shelter. |
|
1920 |
The Society enters into a financial agreement for funding with the Town of Woodstock and the County of Oxford. A Children's Shelter Board of Management is formed to oversee the Shelter's operations. |
|
1921 |
The Children of Unmarried Parents Act provides protection services to illegitimate children and the Society completes 65 adoptions under the Adoptions Act of Ontario. |
|
1925 |
A total of 250 children had been made Society Wards by the Courts dating back to 1907. The use of foster homes as an alternative to the Shelter begins. |
|
1935 |
The appointment of the first trained social worker as Superintendent, Mr. Eric Smit. |
|
1940 |
The Society's Shelter is closed and the children were placed in foster homes. The Department of National Defence uses the Shelter for a Military Hospital. Society offices move to the County Court House. |
| 1942 | The British Child Guests Act during World War II allowed for the Society to place and supervise children shipped over from Great Britian and other Dominion governments. |
| 1944 | The first Juvenile Court is established in Oxford County. |
| 1945 | The Society celebrates its 50th year anniversary. |
| 1954 | In September 1954, the Society's new office building situated on the County Square is officially opened. The Province amalgamates the Protection Act, the Adoption Act and the Unmarried Parents act into the Child Welfare Act of Ontario. |
| 1960 | The first staff psychologist is hired by the Society. The Homemaker Program and the Infant Nursery are added. |
| 1966 | The revised Child Welfare Act makes the Provincial Government responsible for the funding of Children's Aid Societies. |
| 1970 | The Society celebrates its 75th year anniversary. There are 18 full-time staff members. The Tillsonburg sub-office opens. |
| 1975 | A second floor addition is added to the Society's main office building. |
| 1978 | Stronger abuse laws are now in place, broadening the definition of child abuse to include deprivation, mental abuse and sexual molestation. |
| 1980 | The Ministry provides funding for prevention services. The Inter Agency Child Abuse Team is formed. |
| 1982 | The Society feels the impact of the new Young Offenders Act. |
| 1983 | Arson damages the Society's main office building resulting in temporary relocation. A full-time Volunteer Program begins. |
| 1985 | The Child Welfare Act is replaced by the Child and Family Services Act. |
| 1986 | The Family Violence Counselling Program begins offering treatment and support services and programs for victims and perpetrators of family violence. |
| 1993 | Addition completed to 92 Light Street |
| 1994 | The official opening of the Society's new building expansion by Premier Bob Rae. |
| 1995 | The Children's Aid Society of Oxford County celebrates 100 years of service to children and families. |
| 2002 | Internal renovations to increase office space at 92 Light Street, Woodstock |
| 2009 | Agency moves Resources and Children’s Services Department to renovated space at 989 Dundas Street, Woodstock |
| 2014 | March – staff move from three locations into new building at 712 Peel Street, Woodstock |