About
We are a provincial network of leaders from community-based social service agencies across Ontario. Through shared learning and leadership development, we strengthen our 40+ not-for-profit member agencies to the benefit of the more than 250,000 individuals, couples, families we serve each year.
Established in 1974 with the goal of providing accreditation to and creating a provincial presence for Family Service agencies, Family Service Ontario transformed into an advocate for its member agencies. For more than 50 years, Family Service Ontario has tackled some of the most significant and pressing issues, trends, and challenges that leaders face in the province’s social service sector. By working together, we’re better equipped to understand and attend to the needs of Ontarians as they face increasingly complex challenges.
Our Vision
An Ontario where individuals and families thrive through
an integrated, well-resourced network of community-driven services.
Our Mission
To be the trusted voice and leader, connecting family service agencies with policymakers, funders, partners, and one another to enhance capacity and create sustainable solutions.
Core Values and Guiding Principles
- Unite: Strengthen relationships between agencies, intersectoral partners, policymakers, and communities to drive meaningful change.
- Advocate: Amplify the voices of families and service agencies to drive policies that promote dignity, well-being, and social justice.
- Innovate: Champion culturally relevant, forward-thinking, solution-oriented approaches to family support.
- Empower: Strengthen agencies with tools, resources, and a supportive community network.
- Include: Foster equity, accessibility, and diversity in all aspects of service delivery.
- Inform: Use evidence-based insights and shared expertise to shape impactful services.
Our Board
Family Service Ontario’s Board of Directors is a diverse group of professionals who serve voluntarily. The Board of Directors consists of six (6) to ten (10) Directors. All Board Members are either an active executive director or senior leader of a member agency, or an active or past board member of a member agency.
Get Involved
The Board welcomes new members who are elected by the voting membership at the Annual General Meeting for a term of three (3) years. Directors are eligible to serve two (2) consecutive terms. If you know someone who meets the criteria for board membership or if you’re interested in becoming a Director yourself, please contact us.
A Strong Voice
The Board of Directors is accountable to internal and external stakeholders, and its primary responsibilities include:
- Meeting its responsibilities under the Ontario Corporations Act and other legislation that governs Family Service Ontario;
- Transacting the business on behalf of the Corporation;
- Providing strategic guidance to the organization, ensuring that the vision, mission, values and strategic plans are current and respond to the needs of our member agencies;
- Ensuring accountability for resources and results;
- Providing oversight of enterprise-wide risk management;
- Provides direction and strategic planning to the Executive Director through the development year-end statements; and to
- Provide a voice, build capacity and add value to FSO member agencies.