Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-03-01, Page 15w.. dt Good year for Family Services BY JOANNE BUCHANAN Every year is the International Year of the Child at Huron County's Family and Children's Services. The reports presented at the agency's 68th annual meeting last Wednesday, showed this clearly. John Penn, director of the agency, reported an "exceptionally busy year" in 1978. He said it was a year marked by significant changes in child welfare as well as considerable media and public concern about the child welfare system in Ontario. During the year, the agency expanded its counselling and prevention services from children to families (thus the name change from Children's Aid Society to Family and Children's Services). The agency worked with m core families than at other other time, Penn reported. An average of 209 families were involved in counselling services each month, compared to a monthly average of 150 in 1917, Penn's report showed. But no significant increase of children in care occurred (an average of 81 children in 1978 as compared to 80 during 1977). One of the major ob- jectives set by the Board of Directors was to focus resources on the prevention of family breakdown, said Penn who further stated that this objective had been achieved during the year. MEDIA FOCUS The child welfare system in Ontario received considerable attention from the media during 1978 and much of it was critical of the system, he continued. The role of Children's Aid Societies was severely questioned in the light of some tragic deaths (like the Popen case in Sar- nia). "It is unfortunate that the Children's Aid Societies are not able to build up any "credits" with the public for the benefits achieved by the. system," Penn said in the agency's defence. t... "The- fact that 38,700 families are receiving counselling services and 13,700 children are in alternate care programs (foster homes,etc.) does not seem to receive any recognition," he con - 7 tinued. Penn said he took exception to the generalization that Children's Aid Societies are not effective in protecting children from abuse or violent death. This generalization, made in the Report of the Task Force on Child Abuse (June 1978), overlooks the solid work carried out for years by front line social workers with high workloads and limited resources, he said. Penn said that child abuse was not a new issue but that many people were now considering it seriously for the first time. He said the public is becoming more aware that child abuse is a community issue and that we all have a respon- sibility to our children. Fewer people now argue, he said, that parents have the absolute right to discipline children as they please. No longer is this felt to be simply a private matter of the home and that no one has the right to intrude. The rights of children to be protected from violence are becoming more important in our society, said Penn. The professional and lay community is becoming more willing to report cases of child abuse to the agency so that -children may be protected, he said. In Huron County in 1978,.he said that 70 reports of suspected child �buSe has been reported to Family and Children's Services as compared to 52 in 1977. Penn said that inter- professional co-operation is necessary to help rehabilitate and provide for the needs of the abusing family. The Ministry of Community and Social Services has responded to the public concern about the child abuse issue by supporting some of the efforts of agencies to protect children, Penn stated. In 'Huron County, the agency was suc- cessfuI in, securing a grant for a community child abuse worker (Mrs. Kathy Pryde of Exeter) whose primary task is to educate the community on the issue of child abuse. She has already spoken to over 1,000 people on this subject and on the responsibility of citizens in reporting cases to the agency, Penn told those at the meeting. The financial restraints under which child welfare agencies have lived since 1975 have inevitably eroded their ability to fulfill the mandate of the Child Welfare Act, Penn said. An increase in budgets of five per cent for 1979 will involve further reduction of services, he main- tained. During 1978 expansion of services was made possible by the successful application for grant - funded programs not included in the general operating budget and often supported by local donations, Penn repor- ted. A Canada Works Grant was secured for the Huron Park -Stephen Township area to establish a day nursery and a variety of com- munity programs. It is now operated by a community group and employs three full time staff. In their Canada Works Grant application, the Town and Country Homemakers included a request for two parent therapists and a secreatary for this agency, Penn said. The agency spent $549,161 in 1978, about $2,791 over budget. The province pays 80 per cent of +the agency's .budget while municipalities in Huron County pay the remaining 20 per cent. The deficit is expected to be paid under the same ratio system. Penn said the agency is requesting a total budget of $593,000 for 1979. Although it is an increase over last year by about eight per cent, he expects it to be approved at provincial and county levels. He says it is a tight budget but thinks the agency should be able to "get along okay". Board members are Mrs. Ross Proctor of Brussels, Mrs. Russell Snider of Zurich, .Mrs. Roy Westcott of Exeter, William Alcock of Goderich, John Cochrane of Clinton, Charles Thomas of Brussels and the Reverend John Oestreicher of Clinton. Municipal represen- tatives are Mrs. L. Armstrong, Warden J, Tinney, Harold Wild and Harold Elliott. Honorary life members were also approved. They are Arthur Curry, John Winter, Mrs. Frank Fingland, R.B. Cousins, Mrs. Howard Klumpp, Mrs. Kenneth Johns and James Doig. 11111,111 Clinton now has a new modern office building following completion recently by Bo -Jen Carpentry of the Gail Hiltz owned structure on Huron Street, near Orange Street. The 2,800 square foot $80,000 building will house lawyer Gerald Hiltz, and a number of other commercial users, when full. (News -Record photo) Pleads guilty Wesley McBride of RR' 1, Varna, was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay about $3,893 in back taxes when he appeared in provincial court Thursday in Goderich on an income tax charge. McBride pleaded guilty to not fully declaring about $21,077115 income earned between 1974 and 1975. MATERNITY WEAR. • AT The Separate Shoppe MAIN CORNER, CLINTON 482-7778 (NEXT TO CAMPBELL'S MEN'S WEAR) OPEN 1-6 OPEN 1-6 'Incorporating a solar heating system, a new addition to Harold Wise Limited on the Bayfield Road its Clinton is well underway and should be completed sometime in the spring. The $100,000 project which includes major renovations to the original building, is being carried out by Jack Gerritt's Construction, and will bring the Wise Electrical and Heating Store up to 4,800 square feet. (News - Record photo) New youth detention home This area's first, locally managed juvenile detention home will open in Kitchener in May. The facility will serve the local needs of Waterloo, Wellington, Perth and Huron coun- ties. The centre will house a maximum of eight youths, generally aged 11 to 16, who have been charged with a monor offence and who await disposition by a judge. Most youths will stay at the home for. only two weeks. There will be an approximate juvenile - staff ratio of three to one. A group of concerned citizens from these four counties are negotiating for funds from & the Ministry of Community and Social Services to establish the home. The group, Centre Glen Youth Services, Will contract with professionals who will supervise the operation of the facility. "Because we are local people, We understand the needs of local juveniles," says Mark Parrott, President of Centre Glen Youth Services. "Until now, local juveniles were sent out of the community for short-term detention." The ' detention home will offer other ad- vantages to area youths. Because they will remain within their, own area, family and friends will be allowed visits. There are other ad- vantaged too. The home will be much smaller and more personal than, detention centres in the larger cities. Youths will receive schooling, counselling, and health care during their short stay. "Local juveniles should have their cases cleared up sooner too, because no time will be lost in compiling background information, etc." says Parrott. "Also, local judges will have a better idea of fulfilling the needs of these juveniles with existing resources." The four counties being served will also benefit from the new detention home as the budget will be spent locally on goods, services and em- ployment. "These youths need some direction, but they are definitely not dangerous," says Parrott. "A similar facility has operated in Kingston for more than a year and it has been very successful." Constance winter party , a success By Mary Merner The Foresters held a tobogganing party on Sunday afternoon Feb. 25th at Dodd's Hill; returning to -the hall where about g0 people enjoyed , a pancake supper. The Youth Committee have been making plans for a family dance to be held on Saturday March 31st at the hall with Marie Flynn's Orchestra. Everyone is welcome to come andbring their families and the ladies are asked to bring san- dwiches. Cour.t Constantine members and ladies from the community, put a quilt in on Tuesday and they have been busy quilting again this year. It was such a successlast year, being raffled off at the fall dance with proceeds to the cancer fund, they decided to do it again. Socials Mr1;. George Mcllwain was a Saturday supper guest with Mr. and Mrs. Carl Merner, Sandy, Julie, Michael and Shelley when they celebrated Julie's eighth birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Jitn. Thompson and Leisa spent the weekend in Oakville with his brother and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Andy Thompson. Mr. a'nd • Mrs. Cam Patterson of London, Lori Gibb and Chris Ford spent Sunday with Mr. 4r and Mrs. Frank Riley. Mrs. John Thompson spent Monday and Tuesday in Montreal at an Avon Convention. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Hope and Julie of Hamilton spent the weekend with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Dimaline, Don, Peter an&Di rd. "" Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riley visited on Monday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ellwood of Montreal who were visiting with his father Mr. Ern Ellwood of Clinton. Miss Margie Whyte and Jeff Whyte of Guelph spent the weekend with Mrs. W.L. Whyte, Bill and Mr. Harold Whyte. As you've no doubt noticed... CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MARCH 1 , 1979—PAGE 15 Maitland and the 16th Mile ay Lobb The February meeting of the SS No. 4 Com- munity Club was held at the home of Phyllis Thompson with vice- president Marlene Forbes in charge of the meeting, which opened with the New Creed and the Club Prayer. Four- teen members answered Roll Call. Assistant secretary Phyllis Thompson read the minutes of Abe-- January beJanuary meeting and treasurer Linda Jones gave the financial report. Phyllis Thompson and Verna Lobb offered to assist at the Old Tyme Music Afternoon at Huronview. Madeline Bartlett and Linda Jones were delighted to attend the needlecraft course held in Clinton February 19 and 20. Connie Van Loo will host the March meeting in the afternoon March 7. A bake sale will be held and Madeline and Linda will start instructing those interested in the needlecraft. The meeting closed in the usual way, and the remainder of the af- ternoon was spent quilting. A tasty lunch was served by Gertrude Feagan and Phyllis Thompson. 4 Personals Glad to report Sylvia Forbes is home from University Hospital. Tom and Katherine Archibald and son Dana, Lindsay are visiting with their families this week. Brenda Forbes is holidaying in Calgary for a week. Jean Feagan has been home during the mid- winter break. Wingham Memorials BUS. PHONE 347-1910 RES. a57-1015 • Guaranteed Granite • Cemetery Lettering • Buy Direct and save Commissions. •'• • ••••••P ••••• •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • "THE OLD PRO" SMALL ENGINE CLINIC A division of P & F Lawn & Sports - Listowel CLINTON • • 482-9600 opposite Clinton Conservation Park WE GUARANTEE ALL OUR WORK! We use only genuine factory parts. Exam- ples: Briggs and Stratton, Stihl, Homelite, Tecumseh, Lawson, Lawn -Boy, • Kohler, Wisconsin, etc. And, "Doc" has 40 years of engineering ex- perience to back up his guarantee. FREE CHAIN GUARD with every repair, or chain sold during the month of March. SMALL ENGINE REPAIR IS OUR BUSINESS, NOT OUR SIDELINE. • Federick H. Jackson • ("DOC") •••• ••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • • i •• You ant;'•lar+?e have a lot in common. Nadia works hard, studies hard and {plays. hard. She knows she has"o if she,s going to succeed. Wouldn't you do the same if you had to overcome the restrictions imposed on you by a physical disability? Nadia has high hopes of finding an iliportant place for herself in society when she gets a bit older - just as you did at her age. But Nadia - and thousands like her - needs help with some of life's obstacles and difficulties. But then, haven't we all at one time or another? Help Nadia by supporting the Easter Seal appeal in our community. And please - do it now. Help Easter Seals help crippled children. ISE YOURSELF! In most cases, filling out your own income tax return is easier than you may think. , It's largely a matter of simple arithmetic. You don't have to pay someone to do something you can do yourself. • Just follow the six basic steps in. the Guide you received with your income tax return. Don't forget to attach all the proper receipts, and double check your return before mailing it. It's that easy. So go ahead. Surprise yourself. • You can dolt! 1+ Revenue Canada Taxation Hon Anthony C Abbott Mirngter Revenu Canada Impat 1 hon Anthony C Abbott Mtn,glrA .I 4.16441114441,61-46- 464 th4, 404i4 - 32..3..-_'1- -. 4...