Are you connected with Children’s Aid?
No, Point in Time is an entirely separate agency with different mandate than Children’s Aid. We are a not-for-profit voluntary agency which offers a broad range of services to children, youth and parents in Haliburton County. The Children’s Aid Society has a mandate to protect children from abuse and neglect. However, if we have reason to suspect a child/youth (under 16 years of age) is being abused or neglected we are obliged by law to report to the Children’s Aid Society.
Can you help my 20 year old son?
The short answer is probably not. Our agency is funded to provide service to infants, children and youth up to their 18th birthday. If your son would benefit from mental health counselling he could call Haliburton Highlands Adult Mental Health Services at 286 – 4575
If however your son was a parent and needed help with his child or with parenting, then Point in Time would be one of the agencies he could call.
If I come to you for counselling and don’t do what you suggest, what will happen?
Well, the services and supports we offer are voluntary. It is up to you when and how you want to make changes in your life. If your counsellor feels that you are not benefiting from service s/he may make other recommendations to you about where to get help. When you think you are ready to engage in change you may contact us again to seek help.
I don’t want anyone to know that I need help. Can we meet somewhere else?
Yes, we meet individuals in schools, our offices, homes or a safe, convenient location. Speak to your worker to consider alternative locations.
Who will find out about my problems if I come to see you?
First our Intake Worker will discuss your concerns with you. The agency Supervisor will also be advised of your request for service to assign a worker. Our service is provided in the context of supervision and multi-disciplinary teams. Pertinent information about you may be shared within the agency with supervisors, allied professionals e.g. consulting psychiatrist, co-workers and or administrative staff on a need-to-know basis. If there is more than one worker in our agency involved with your child or family, they will meet as a team to develop to ensure their service delivery is coordinated and efficient. All workers are bound by overall policies of ethics and confidentiality. Our workers must receive your consent to share information about you with other agencies or professionals outside of Point in Time.
My baby cries all the time and the neighbours are complaining. If I ask for help from you will you take my child away from me?
No, we do not have the authority to remove children from their homes; only the Children’s Aid Society can take that action. If you requested help for you and your baby we would meet with you and work with you on a goal you identify e.g. how to soothe your crying baby. Only when we suspect a child is being abused or neglected do we have to report to the Children’s Aid Society.
Can I bring my granddaughter to see you? Her mother doesn’t think she has a problem, but I do.
If your granddaughter is over the age of 12 and is willing to see a counsellor you could bring her to see one of our workers. Children over the age of 12 are legally able to consent to counselling without their parents knowledge or consent. The younger the youth, the more likely, when appropriate and with consent, we would encourage involvement of the parent in the counselling sessions.
How do I get help for my child on the weekend//evenings?
Depending on the nature of the difficulties some of our workers will arrange in advance evening appointments. Our business hours are 9 – 5, Monday to Friday, so you would need to call initially during those hours to refer your child and arrange for an after hours appointment. If you experience a crisis in the evening or weekend, please call the Four Counties Crisis Response Program at 1 – 866-995-9933. This is a FREE 24 hour/7 day a week phone crisis service with in person follow-up if needed. The Kids Help hone may also be a helpful resource after hours for children and youth, 1-800-668-6868.
If I call your office for help, how much do I have to tell the person who answers the phone?
First you will be directed to our Intake Worker. She will ask you questions about your child and your family example: name of child and other family members, birthdates, medical, social, emotional behavioural concerns, your address and phone number, what worries you have or why you are calling for help, what strategies you have tried or other agencies you may have been involved with. Because we offer a wide range of services for different age groups we need as much information as possible right away so that we can match you with the right worker and service.
I want to bring my pregnant daughter in for help. Will you tell my husband?
No, your daughter may consent to service with us on her own if she is over the age of 12 years. We would not release any information about her without her consent. If she wished to receive service without your husband’s knowledge, she has the right to do so.
Can someone take care of my kids when I come in for an appointment? I don’t have anyone to leave them with.
We do have a waiting area in our Haliburton Office where our administrative staff could keep an eye on your children during short appointments. Please make sure you tell this to your worker in advance of your appointment so that staff can be notified and available to help out. This option is not available in our Minden Office. If this is an ongoing difficulty for you please talk to your worker and s/he may be able to help you come up with some alternative care arrangements.
My kids don’t want to see their father for access visits. I agree. Can you help me change the court order?
No, this is a legal issue, we do not undertake assessments for court. Please speak with your lawyer. You could request your lawyer apply to have your children referred to the Office of the Children’s Lawyer where your access arrangement can be reviewed, assessed and modified if it is in the children’s best interest. You could also arrange to speak to the Family Law Lawyer for advice. She comes to Haliburton County on a regular basis and you can book an appointment by calling Point in Time at 457-5345. There is also a Supervised Access Program available on a monthly basis in Haliburton County. If you think this program could help with access visits please call 1-800-386-6561.
I came to see you a few years ago and then didn’t bother following up with my appointments. Can I come back? I need help with my kids again.
Yes, you need to call our Intake Worker to re-refer your children. Once assigned a worker s/he will discuss with you your commitment to the work and the appointments. Point in Time depends upon active participation of children, youth and parents to be effective. We have an obligation to use our resources efficiently. Therefore, we will discontinue service if you miss 3 appointments without adequate notice. You are responsible for re-scheduling appointments. If there has been no contact from you for one month, including telephone messages, we will close your file. Should service be needed again, you will need to call our Intake Worker.
I’m 15 and think I’m pregnant. I want to talk to someone but don’t want my parents know. Will you tell them?
No. Youth over the age of 12 can legally talk to a counsellor without their parents’ consent. The information you tell the counsellor is confidential. We would only break you confidence under the following circumstances:
- where a worker suspects child abuse and is obliged to report to the Children’s Aid Society;
- where agency/worker records and /or a worker have be subpoenaed by the court to release information; and/or
- where a worker has reason to believe an individual is going to harm or is at risk of harming him/herself or someone else.
I need a break. Can you get someone to look after my kids for the weekend? The Children’s Aid took them away for awhile a few years ago. Will you tell them?
No, we wouldn’t be able to find someone to look after your children for the weekend. Emergency babysitting and respite is not a service and support we generally provide on short notice. We would only contact C.A.S. if we had reason to suspect that your children were being abused or neglected.
Do you charge a fee for services?
Most of our services are funded by the provincial government and are free. Some services not fully funded do have fees e.g. respite, volunteer driving. We do assist families to access financial assistance programs to help offset these costs when appropriate.
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