About Us
Centred Content
Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society (HPCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect.
HPCAS advocates for and protects children’s rights, supports and strengthens families; and is a leader for change in our community. The Society serves approximately 375 families each month and conducts more than 1000 investigations each year. It also helps more than 90 children who are in the Society’s care.
HPCAS Principles
- All children have a right to reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment.
- Providing and caring for children is a community responsibility.
- Parents and their children have the right to respectful and sensitive services. Families will have different cultures and lifestyles and will parent their children differently.
- Early intervention is the best way to assist families. Families and children should be provided timely services on the basis of mutual consent, where emphasis is placed on supporting families’ strengths.
- Comprehensive services that combine child protection, early intervention and clinical treatment services will ensure a seamless approach to meeting child and family needs.
- Community partnerships are an essential part of addressing the broad needs of children and families in a proactive and integral manner.
HPCAS Informational Video
Mission & Vision
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Mission
To advocate for and protect children’s rights; to support and strengthen families; and to be leaders for positive change in our community.
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Vision
Safe Children. Confident Youth. Resilient Adults.
Values
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Equity
Our leadership within the community and alongside our community partners reflects the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The culture, diversity, identity and heritage of service users are acknowledged and respected.
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Empowerment
Service users engage in self-advocating opportunities and decision making, resulting in meaningful and individualized support.
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Engagement
We will develop proactive partnerships that will collectively advocate for the safety and well-being of children and families.
Let’s Get Social
20 hours ago
One week until Circle of Security begins! There's still time to register for this 8-week in-person program for caregivers in Stratford.
Join us starting next Tuesday, October 6 at the YMCA of Three Rivers. You'll spend eight weeks learning to better understand your child's …Read moreemotional world, support them through challenging moments, and strengthen your connection at home. Childminding is available so you can fully focus.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford #ParentingSupport
One week until Circle of Security begins! There's still time to register for this 8-week in-person program for caregivers in Stratford.
Join us starting next Tuesday, October 6 at the YMCA of Three Rivers. You'll spend eight weeks learning to better understand your child's …Read moreemotional world, support them through challenging moments, and strengthen your connection at home. Childminding is available so you can fully focus.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford #ParentingSupport
22 hours ago
Congratulations to Kiara Jane Markle on the publication of Paperwork of a Ghost: A Survivor's Blueprint.
This book is more than a collection of words on a page. It is a powerful act of storytelling, resilience, and truth-telling. Through poetry and personal reflection, Kiara invites …Read morereaders into experiences that are often difficult to speak about, offering understanding, connection, and hope.
Stories have the power to help people feel seen, challenge us to think differently, and create space for healing and meaningful conversations. Kiara's willingness to share her voice is a gift to everyone who reads her work.
We were honoured to support the publication of this book. Congratulations on this incredible achievement. We know your words will make a lasting impact on many readers.
📖 Paperwork of a Ghost: A Survivor's Blueprint by Kiara Jane Markle
It can be found at Bee’s Knees Books and Emporium in Goderich. Proceeds from every copy go to Artemis Huron.
#AuthorSpotlight #CommunityVoices #Resilience #Storytelling #HuronPerth
Congratulations to Kiara Jane Markle on the publication of Paperwork of a Ghost: A Survivor's Blueprint.
This book is more than a collection of words on a page. It is a powerful act of storytelling, resilience, and truth-telling. Through poetry and personal reflection, Kiara invites …Read morereaders into experiences that are often difficult to speak about, offering understanding, connection, and hope.
Stories have the power to help people feel seen, challenge us to think differently, and create space for healing and meaningful conversations. Kiara's willingness to share her voice is a gift to everyone who reads her work.
We were honoured to support the publication of this book. Congratulations on this incredible achievement. We know your words will make a lasting impact on many readers.
📖 Paperwork of a Ghost: A Survivor's Blueprint by Kiara Jane Markle
It can be found at Bee’s Knees Books and Emporium in Goderich. Proceeds from every copy go to Artemis Huron.
#AuthorSpotlight #CommunityVoices #Resilience #Storytelling #HuronPerth
2 days ago
New week, new programs! Swipe to see what's happening in your community 🍂
Here's what's on this week:
🍳 Kinder Cookers – Mitchell – A fun caregiver-and-child cooking program for ages 0-6. Starts Friday, October 2 at Mitchell Arena.
🧘 Month of …Read moreMindfulness – Wingham – Mindfulness activities, caregiver tips and a fun sensory craft for children ages 0-6. Starts Thursday, October 1 at EarlyON Child & Family Centre.
📚 Small Wonders – Milverton – A caregiver-and-child program featuring play-and-learn activities and weekly guest speakers. Running Wednesday, September 30 at Perth East Public Library.
🧠 The Basics of Managing Challenging Behaviour (Virtual) – Final session this Wednesday, September 30.
All Community Engagement & Prevention programs are free. Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio to register.
📧 CommunityEngagementTeam@h-pcas.ca
📲 519-271-5290
#HPCAS #CommunityProgramming #FallProgramming
New week, new programs! Swipe to see what's happening in your community 🍂
Here's what's on this week:
🍳 Kinder Cookers – Mitchell – A fun caregiver-and-child cooking program for ages 0-6. Starts Friday, October 2 at Mitchell Arena.
🧘 Month of …Read moreMindfulness – Wingham – Mindfulness activities, caregiver tips and a fun sensory craft for children ages 0-6. Starts Thursday, October 1 at EarlyON Child & Family Centre.
📚 Small Wonders – Milverton – A caregiver-and-child program featuring play-and-learn activities and weekly guest speakers. Running Wednesday, September 30 at Perth East Public Library.
🧠 The Basics of Managing Challenging Behaviour (Virtual) – Final session this Wednesday, September 30.
All Community Engagement & Prevention programs are free. Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio to register.
📧 CommunityEngagementTeam@h-pcas.ca
📲 519-271-5290
#HPCAS #CommunityProgramming #FallProgramming
2 days ago
Safe sleep is one of the most important things new parents and caregivers can think about.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is alone in a crib, cradle or bassinet – including a bassinet attachment for a playpen – that meets current Canadian safety regulations. Always place your …Read morebaby on their back, for every sleep.
A few key things to keep in mind:
– Remove all soft objects from your baby's sleep space – quilts, blankets, bumper pads, pillows, stuffed toys and baby nests all pose a risk
– Never let your baby sleep on a waterbed, air mattress, futon, sofa or any surface with extra padding
– Avoid inclined sleepers, baby hammocks and crib wedges – they can cause your baby to move into a position where they cannot breathe
– Room share for the first six months – place your baby's crib, cradle or bassinet in the same room where you sleep
– Provide a smoke-free environment for your baby, before and after they are born
– Do not use baby swings, bouncers, strollers or car seats for sleep – if your baby drifts off in one of these, move them to a safe sleep space as soon as possible
For more detailed information, visit Health Canada's safe sleep tips page at canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/safe-sleep/safe-sleep-tips.html or visit h-pcas.ca/parenting-faqs/
#HPCAS #SafeSleep #ParentingFAQ #InfantSafety
Safe sleep is one of the most important things new parents and caregivers can think about.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is alone in a crib, cradle or bassinet – including a bassinet attachment for a playpen – that meets current Canadian safety regulations. Always place your …Read morebaby on their back, for every sleep.
A few key things to keep in mind:
– Remove all soft objects from your baby's sleep space – quilts, blankets, bumper pads, pillows, stuffed toys and baby nests all pose a risk
– Never let your baby sleep on a waterbed, air mattress, futon, sofa or any surface with extra padding
– Avoid inclined sleepers, baby hammocks and crib wedges – they can cause your baby to move into a position where they cannot breathe
– Room share for the first six months – place your baby's crib, cradle or bassinet in the same room where you sleep
– Provide a smoke-free environment for your baby, before and after they are born
– Do not use baby swings, bouncers, strollers or car seats for sleep – if your baby drifts off in one of these, move them to a safe sleep space as soon as possible
For more detailed information, visit Health Canada's safe sleep tips page at canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/safe-sleep/safe-sleep-tips.html or visit h-pcas.ca/parenting-faqs/
#HPCAS #SafeSleep #ParentingFAQ #InfantSafety
5 days ago
Today, we were honoured to welcome staff, community members, partners, guest speakers, Elders, Knowledge Holders, and supporters to our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Community Gathering at Huron-Perth Children's Aid Society.
The journey of Truth and Reconciliation is not …Read morea single event. It is an ongoing commitment to listening, learning, reflecting, building relationships, and taking meaningful action.
We extend our sincere thanks to our guest speakers and community partners who generously shared their knowledge, perspectives, teachings, and experiences. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside one another and deepen our collective understanding.
Thank you as well to Member of Parliament John Nater for taking time to attend and participate in today's gathering, and to everyone who joined us in community. @john_nater_mp
As an organization, we remain committed to advancing reconciliation through action, learning, partnership, and supporting the well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, families, and communities.
#TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #OrangeShirtDay #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #ReconciliationInAction #CommunityConnections #HPCAS
Funded by the Government of Canada
Today, we were honoured to welcome staff, community members, partners, guest speakers, Elders, Knowledge Holders, and supporters to our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Community Gathering at Huron-Perth Children's Aid Society.
The journey of Truth and Reconciliation is not …Read morea single event. It is an ongoing commitment to listening, learning, reflecting, building relationships, and taking meaningful action.
We extend our sincere thanks to our guest speakers and community partners who generously shared their knowledge, perspectives, teachings, and experiences. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside one another and deepen our collective understanding.
Thank you as well to Member of Parliament John Nater for taking time to attend and participate in today's gathering, and to everyone who joined us in community. @john_nater_mp
As an organization, we remain committed to advancing reconciliation through action, learning, partnership, and supporting the well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, families, and communities.
#TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #OrangeShirtDay #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #ReconciliationInAction #CommunityConnections #HPCAS
Funded by the Government of Canada
6 days ago
Our leadership feature this month welcomes Kara Kipfer, CPA, CA, our Accounting Manager! ✨
Kara brings a thoughtful perspective to her role and to the work of child welfare more broadly. "People are complex, resilient and deserving of support without judgement," she shares. …Read more"Our perspectives are shaped by our individual experiences, and true understanding comes from listening to one another."
For Kara, lasting change requires making sure everyone affected has a voice. She sees this reflected in how HPCAS approaches its work – closely alongside families to identify strengths and build supports before situations escalate, through admission prevention strategies and kinship placements that help families stay together whenever it is safe to do so.
What she values most about her role is knowing the work happens at every level of the organization. Ensuring resources are available when families need them most means staff can provide timely support during some of the most difficult moments in a family's life.
Thank you so much, Kara, for the care and dedication you bring to this work! 💚
#HPCAS #LeadershipSeries
Our leadership feature this month welcomes Kara Kipfer, CPA, CA, our Accounting Manager! ✨
Kara brings a thoughtful perspective to her role and to the work of child welfare more broadly. "People are complex, resilient and deserving of support without judgement," she shares. …Read more"Our perspectives are shaped by our individual experiences, and true understanding comes from listening to one another."
For Kara, lasting change requires making sure everyone affected has a voice. She sees this reflected in how HPCAS approaches its work – closely alongside families to identify strengths and build supports before situations escalate, through admission prevention strategies and kinship placements that help families stay together whenever it is safe to do so.
What she values most about her role is knowing the work happens at every level of the organization. Ensuring resources are available when families need them most means staff can provide timely support during some of the most difficult moments in a family's life.
Thank you so much, Kara, for the care and dedication you bring to this work! 💚
#HPCAS #LeadershipSeries
7 days ago
Very exciting news to share today! We are deeply grateful that the Government of Ontario is providing $831,000 to repair and replace the roof on our building. The funding comes through the province's Partner Facility Renewal program, which helps community agencies across Ontario take care of …Read morethe spaces where they support people.
Our building is where children, youth and families come for support, and we want it to be a place that feels safe, steady and welcoming every time someone walks in.
"Spaces matter," says Kristian Wilson, our Executive Director. "They influence how people experience support, connection and belonging." This investment helps us keep creating that kind of environment, one that reflects the dignity and hope we want every person to feel here.
A big thank you to Matthew Rae, Lisa Thompson and Michael Parsa for investing in our building and in the families of Huron and Perth counties. Your support goes such a long way toward helping us serve our community.
You can read the full story from StratfordToday here:
https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-news/huron-perth-childrens-aid-society-receives-831k-in-provincial-funding-12802231
#HPCAS
Very exciting news to share today! We are deeply grateful that the Government of Ontario is providing $831,000 to repair and replace the roof on our building. The funding comes through the province's Partner Facility Renewal program, which helps community agencies across Ontario take care of …Read morethe spaces where they support people.
Our building is where children, youth and families come for support, and we want it to be a place that feels safe, steady and welcoming every time someone walks in.
"Spaces matter," says Kristian Wilson, our Executive Director. "They influence how people experience support, connection and belonging." This investment helps us keep creating that kind of environment, one that reflects the dignity and hope we want every person to feel here.
A big thank you to Matthew Rae, Lisa Thompson and Michael Parsa for investing in our building and in the families of Huron and Perth counties. Your support goes such a long way toward helping us serve our community.
You can read the full story from StratfordToday here:
https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-news/huron-perth-childrens-aid-society-receives-831k-in-provincial-funding-12802231
#HPCAS
7 days ago
October is just around the corner and our Circle of Security program starts in two weeks! If you've been thinking about registering, now is a great time.
This 8-week in-person program helps caregivers tune into their child's emotional needs, navigate big feelings together, and …Read morefeel more confident in their role at home. Childminding is available.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford #ParentingSupport
October is just around the corner and our Circle of Security program starts in two weeks! If you've been thinking about registering, now is a great time.
This 8-week in-person program helps caregivers tune into their child's emotional needs, navigate big feelings together, and …Read morefeel more confident in their role at home. Childminding is available.
Tuesdays, October 6 – November 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
YMCA of Three Rivers – Stratford, 204 Downie St.
Scan the QR code or visit the link below to register.
keyon.ca
#HPCAS #CircleOfSecurity #EarlyON #Stratford #ParentingSupport
1 weeks ago
Our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Community Gathering is this Friday, September 25 at The Commons in Stratford. Drop in any time between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM – there is no cost and everyone is welcome.
Hear from Community Grandmother Wendy Stewart and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper…Read more Mel Akiwenzie, share in a lunch of corn soup and fry bread, and join us for a community walk along the river to close out the day.
We hope to see you there.
📅 September 25, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 The Commons, 639 Lorne Ave E, Stratford
Joining us for lunch? Scan the QR code on the poster or visit the link in our bio to RSVP.
For more information, contact:
📧 tasonnafrench@h-pcas.ca
📧 sarannewhetung@h-pcas.ca
#HPCAS #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NDTR
Our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Community Gathering is this Friday, September 25 at The Commons in Stratford. Drop in any time between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM – there is no cost and everyone is welcome.
Hear from Community Grandmother Wendy Stewart and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper…Read more Mel Akiwenzie, share in a lunch of corn soup and fry bread, and join us for a community walk along the river to close out the day.
We hope to see you there.
📅 September 25, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 The Commons, 639 Lorne Ave E, Stratford
Joining us for lunch? Scan the QR code on the poster or visit the link in our bio to RSVP.
For more information, contact:
📧 tasonnafrench@h-pcas.ca
📧 sarannewhetung@h-pcas.ca
#HPCAS #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NDTR