Algoma Children's Aid Society questions auditor general's report

The Children's Aid Society of Algoma isresponding to criticism from the provincial auditor general who said Wednesday that Ontario's 47 Children's Aid Societies are slow to investigate allegations of abuse.

The auditor generals report saidthat child abuse investigations take an average of seven months.

AlgomaChildren's Aid Society executive director Kim Streich-Poser saidher numbers are nowhere near that.

"I would be comfortable in saying that would not be something that is occurring in Algoma," Steich-Poser said. "The sevenmonths, to me that sounds like the exception, as opposed to the rule."

Streich-Poser saidwhen one of herorganization'sinvestigations takes two months instead of one, a full review is conducted to figure out what the hold up was.

Complicated family situations often lead to delays for investigators, she said.

The auditor general also called for more financial oversight of how the 47 agencies spend tax dollars.Shefound some questionable claims, including costly meals and expenses not supported by receipts.

Streich-Poser saidChildren's Aid Societiesunfortunately havea reputation for being secretive and unaccountable.

"That is an image that we'd like to see changed and we are working on changing, particularly at a provincial level," she said.

Children's aid societies will soon be required to publicly report on outcomes for the kids in their care, Streich-Posner said.They will also reveal what percentage of their funding is going to services and how much is paying for administration.