Desiree DeCoste
Beaver Staff
As most people are at home trying to cope with the changes of the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic, So are most of the staff at the Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (FACSKFLA). Still operating 24/7, most of their staff is working from home.
FACSKFLA wants the pubic to know the current crisis has had a major impact on your lives, and certainly an impact on the children and families they serve.
The agency has been down this road before in their 125 years of service to this community. They’ve helped on the home front during the First World War and the Influenza pandemic that hit Kingston shortly after the war in 1918. FACSKFLA’s commitment to keeping children safe is the same today as it was in 1918.
With Ontario in a State of Emergency they’ve had to make changes.
- Their Sharbot Lake, Sydenham and Northbrook sites are closed, but Napanee and Kingston offices are open and only allowing essential visitors only. To access those sites please call ahead.
- Prior to anyone entering their buildings all visitors will be screened. A decision will then be made regarding admission.
- Many of their workers are working from home and may be using the phone and online platforms to reach out to clients.
- They’re following directions from the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies to determine if face-to-face contact will occur. In-person contact will not occur unless the reported information indicates that a child or youth may have been seriously harmed or may be at risk of serious harm, and this cannot be addressed through other means.
- FACSKFLA workers who visit clients may be wearing personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and more.
- Volunteer services, including their Drive Program, have been suspended.
The agency’s not yet sure what the impact of the current crisis will be on their charitable programs such as, enrichment activities, summer camp, post-secondary bursaries and their annual Tree of Hope holiday appeal. They’re working hard to try to use the donations the public has given them to help the families they serve, but changes have been made there as well.
FACSKFLA has had to cancel their annual Futures Online Auction, which was due to start at the end of August. It raises money to send kids in care to college and university. The START program, the agency successful two-year pilot tutoring program for kids in elementary, middle and high school, was suspended as soon as schools closed.
Another big change within the agency because of COVID-19 is they’ve decided to not move forward with hiring summer students. Although every year they rely on students to help run programs and deliver special services this year is a little different and special precautions have to be taken.
FACSKFLA is open and reachable by phone 24 hours a day at 613-545-3227 or toll-free at 1-855-445-3227
To keep up-to-date with the latest information on their response to the COVID-19 pandemic visit www.facsfla.ca/about/coronavirus.