| In 1914 a discussion began concerning the
establishment of a Children's Aid Society (CAS) in Cape
Breton. Over the next five years, various satellite agencies were formed
in Glace Bay, Sydney, and Louisbourg. On September 23, 1920 the various
agencies were amalgamated to form the basis of today's Children's Aid
Society (CAS)of Cape Breton - Victoria.
In the early days much of the work was contributed by
volunteers in the community including local church groups and members of
the coal company.
The earliest service was to provide food and shelter to
the children, with little concern as to the best interest of the family
unit. This meant that a child who was "in need of protection"
was simply taken from the family and placed in one of the several homes or
orphanages to live. Some of the early centers for placements included
Bairncroft Orphanage in Sydney River, and Little Flower Orphanage in
Sydney and Bras d'or. These placements were privately funded and required
donations from local groups to keep them in operation. It was not until
1950 that the private Children's Aid Society formed a partnership with the
Provincial Government for funding.
The agency has continued to develop recognizing the
changing needs of the clients and has assisted in the development of
related services in the area. Some of the services that have developed
since the 1950's include:
 Bairncroft Home
(1968)
Foster Home
Campaign (1973)
Boys Residential
Centre (1973)
Foster Parents'
Association (1975)
Bairncroft
Adolescent Program (1986)
Adolescent
Treatment Centre (1988)
Victoria County
Outreach Program (1989)
Parent
Counsellor Program (1999)
Group Homes for
Adolescents
Family Support
Program (1990) |
