Turning the page

Highland Shores CAS seeks to put past behind it, as it works to fill a dire need for more foster families in the County

Sherrilee Slatter was sentenced to three years in prison last week in a courtroom in Belleville. The former foster parent was convicted of sexually abusing children in her care. Her ex-husband, Richard Fildey, was given a 30- month sentence for sexual crimes against another foster child in the couple’s care. Sherilee’s father, Ron Slatter, will be before a judge later this month, charged with sexual crimes against children placed in his home by the Children’s Aid Society of Prince Edward County.

Altogether, six foster parents have been charged and/or convicted of sexually abusing children placed in their care by the County’s CAS between 2005 and 2010. In 2011, Justice Geoff Griffin called for a public inquiry to probe the workings of the local agency—to investigate what had gone so terribly wrong in a system whose very purpose was to protect vulnerable children; to understand how so many of these children were put in the hands of predators and deviants—and then left to fend for themselves, despite complaints and clear warning signs.

That public inquiry never happened. A series of trials is nearly finished winding through the court system. A civil suit seeking compensation for victims of abuse at the hands of a predatory foster parent has been settled out of court. The administrators of the now-defunct Children’s Aid Society of Prince Edward have not been called to account for their actions.

A damning report by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services ultimately led to the dissolution of the local agency’s board and the departure of its executive director. The report found serious safety concerns and “fundamental lapses” while licensing foster homes.

The newly formed Highland Shore CAS took over the failed County agency in 2012.

In December 2012, the board and administration apologized to the children and the community for its predecessor’s failings.

Now they are hoping to turn the page. A steady stream of news reports documenting the crimes committed against foster children has horrified many in this community. It has discouraged families from considering the prospect of caring for these vulnerable children.

The need for foster care homes is unrelenting. Fewer families have been willing to step forward in the wake of the scandal. There are currently 17 foster homes in Prince Edward County. When the ministry investigated the County CAS, there were 66 children in its care. Highland Shores says even if it could double the foster homes in the County, there would still be too few.

“People are rightfully concerned about what happened,” says Mark Kartusch, executive director, Highland Shores CAS. “But we need the community’s help more than ever. We have only 17 foster homes in the County—we need a lot more.”

He says children today continue to pay a price for the failed agency in Picton. County children in need are being placed outside this community because a traumatized community is reluctant to become involved.

“We’ve noticed a real drop off in people expressing an interest in becoming a foster parent,” says Kartusch. “We know that some kids aren’t staying in PEC. I am really concerned about people distancing themselves from fostering when the need is greatest.”

He says Highland Shores has focused on improving and buttressing the foster care supports in this community since taking over two years ago. Every one of the recommendations made by the Ministry of Youth and Child Services have been implemented.

Training and resources have been added, management has been strengthened.

“Many aspects of the way child welfare services has been delivered and managed have changed,” says Kartusch.

He says some of the improvements have come as result of the larger scale of the regional agency. Despite the larger organization, Kartusch says it is more responsive to potential issues. Both foster families and youth have a direct line to the Highland Shores board.

“Foster families are part of a broader network with expanded training and support,” says Kartusch. “We have a foster family association that goes across all three jurisdictions. The association has representation on our board. We also have a foster families advisory committee that meets directly with members of the board. There is a direct line of communication.

“We also have youth advisory committee— again, another direct link to the board. We have youth from the County sitting on this committee.”

Kartusch notes that, despite its highly publicized failings, the County agency had hardworking and capable people working in the ranks in Picton. More resources, expanded training and a thorough rework of the agency’s systems and processes have been welcomed and adopted by staff.

“Some of the systems weren’t working,” says Kartusch. “The staff in Picton have embraced the changes to strengthen and broaden our service.”

Kartusch has been around long enough not to oversimplify the challenges of his business.

“Child welfare isn’t neat and tidy. There are always challenges,” says Kartusch.

But he is confident the necessary changes have been made in Prince Edward County. He encourages families to get to know Highland Shores and to examine the progress being made. But mainly he hopes families who may have turned away from fostering a child will reconsider the opportunity to give these vulnerable children a safe home in the County.