Comparing service providers and youth advice on coordinated service delivery in Ontario's child welfare system

Coordinated service delivery (CSD) holds strong potential to improve outcomes for children and youth through holistic care. However, its implementation in Ontario's child welfare system remains unrealized, underscoring the need to examine related challenges and opportunities.

This study employs a user-centered design to explore perspectives on service coordination among Black youth with lived experience in Ontario's child welfare system and service providers serving Black communities.

Insights were gathered from 57 participants: 49 Black youth with child welfare experience and eight service providers in Ontario.

Ten focus groups were conducted to uncover service delivery issues and generate policy solutions. Focus group data were analyzed using weighted qualitative data analysis method.

Findings underscore key issues such as service fragmentation, delayed referrals, and mistrust within the system, compounded by systemic racism and a lack of culturally appropriate services. Black youth identified racial bias as the most pressing issue, recommending diverse staff recruitment. Service providers emphasized cultural and linguistic barriers in the system, with the preferred solution being increased outreach from community partners and other ethno-specific organizations to improve culturally appropriate services.

Highlighting shared and different perspectives, along with proposed solutions, offers a comprehensive analysis that can inform policy makers of strategies beneficial to both Black youth and service providers. This approach supports a more effective and proactive service delivery in Ontario's child welfare system.