Alternative Dispute Resolution Program

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (ADR) provides services to child welfare agencies and their clients in the Eastern Ontario counties of Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, Renfrew and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry. The ADR Program, funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, operates out of Family Services à la famille Ottawa (FSFO).

The services provided through the ADR Program are intended to:

Be less adversarial alternatives to court
Allow for more timely decision to be made for the care of children
Provide families the opportunity to actively participate in decision making about the care of their children

The guiding principles of the ADR Program are that:

Participation in the program is voluntary
Families know their families best
No one person makes the decisions
The services are child focused

According to the Child and Family Services Act of Ontario, child welfare agencies must consider whether Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) would be appropriate in the following instances:

If a child is or may be in need of protection, a children’s aid society must consider whether ADR could assist in resolving any issue related to the child or a plan for the child’s care.
A judge, with the consent of the parties, may adjourn the court proceeding to permit the use of ADR for any issue in dispute.
On applications to vary or terminate an openness order before or after an adoption, the court may with the consent of the parties, adjourn the proceeding to permit the use of ADR for any disputes related to the proceeding.

Referral Process

CAS workers may refer a family to the ADR Program by following this process:

Consult with your supervisor to determine if this case is appropriate for ADR. If you are unsure contact the ADR Coordinator for further consultation.
Determine which service would best meet the needs of this particular family; Family Group Conference or Mediation. If you need more information contact the ADR Coordinator.
Speak to the family about the ADR Program

Explain that the program is separate from your agency and is set up as an independent third party with no decision making power, we facilitate the services.
Provide the client with the ADR Coordinator’s name and contact information; they can call at any time.
Explain to the family that participation in this process is voluntary (as per the Legislation, families are under no obligation to participate)
There is no charge to the family for the services offered in the program.

Have the main stakeholders sign Consent to Share Information Forms.
Complete the ADR Referral form electronically and print.
If there is no Office of the Children’s Lawyer involved in the file, complete the OCL form and print (as per the Legislation)
If the family identifies as Aboriginal, we are required to notify the Clients Band or community organization (as per the legislation). If you encounter problems making this connection, contact the ADR Program Coordinator, who may be able to offer assistance.
Once you have completed Steps 4-7, fax the three forms to the ADR Coordinator at 613-725-5651.

For more information about the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, please contact:

Phyllis O’Neil, Program Coordinator

Tel: 613-725-3601 Ext. 221
Toll Free: 1-877-717-8959 Ext. 221
TTY: 613-725-6175
Fax: 613-725-5651
Email: poneil@familyservicesottawa.org