Family Services à la famille is a private registered charitable agency that has been serving the Ottawa region since 1914.

Throughout our history we have evolved and adapted to meet the needs of our clients and the community.

Family Services à la famille Ottawa (FSFO) is dedicated to the health and well-being of the people of Ottawa. Our services are accessible, effective and our professional staff are talented and committed.

Our History

The Beginning

"The seeds of the Ottawa Welfare Bureau (now Family Services à la famille Ottawa) were sown in the spring of 1914 when the severe pre-World War I depression was making it's presence felt in Ottawa. Elizabeth Shortt, the president of a Local Council of Women and a community-minded citizen, had recently returned to Ottawa from a trip overseas and was dismayed to find a bread line at City Hall."

The Ottawa Welfare Bureau was born October 14, 1914

1914 - 1924

The OWB created the Social Service Exchange and the Christmas Exchange.

Three Neighbourhood Associations were formed to co-ordinate relief administration.

The OWB provided emergency help during the influenza epidemic of 1917.

Mothercare lessons were given to cut infant mortality rates.

Family counselling was started.

1925 - 1933

The City transferred responsibility of all municipal relief to the OWB.

There was an increase of as high as 850% in case loads.

By 1930, the OWB was the largest welfare organization in Ottawa.

1933 - 1945

Community Chests (later known as the United Way) was established by the OWB and other voluntary organizations.

A Single Women's department was set up because the City was very strict with single women seeking financial aid.

The OWB looked after soldiers' dependants; families of alien internees and children sent to Canada for security reasons.

1945 - 1954

During this difficult period of post war transition, OWB worked to help soldiers re-integrate into their families and communities by providing counselling for marriage problems and other family difficulties.

1954 - 1964

The name was changed to The Family Service Center of Ottawa-Carleton to reflect the change in service which included more attention to counselling services including youth and group counselling.

The first male social worker was hired.

1964 - 1980

After four programs were started in 1965.

A Family Services counsellor was seconded to the first Community Resource Center in Ottawa.

The Family Life Education program was started in 1972.

Outreach into the community began and advocacy for issues such as housing, daycare, and services for those living in poverty were increased.

More child and youth oriented programs were started.

1980 - 1994

The Snowsuit Fund was established in 1981 by staff member Joan Gullen. The first depot was held in the Family Services Board Room.

There was a focus on social planning and advocacy which included further expansion of Community Resource Centres; Anti-Violence Network; Non-Profit Housing and Supervised Access.

The Regional Coordinating Committee to end Violence Against Women was developed.

Family Services began to provide counselling and groups for women and children.

1994 to today...

It is a remarkable tribute to the founders, and those involved since the inception of Family Services à la famille Ottawa, that, 90 years later, we are still committed to the same values and purpose. The means may have changed with the times, but Family Services still provides for the emotional health and well-being of families, individuals and the larger community, just as was intended those many years ago.

Over the last 90 years Family Services à la famille Ottawa has supported over 374, 400 individuals and families

Our Mission

Family Services à la famille Ottawa is a community agency, grounded in a history of responding to the needs of people in our community.

We work with individuals, communities, and families in all their forms, who are currently in distress or at risk. We assist people to build on their strengths and move forward by providing counselling, education, and advocacy within a context of systemic change.

Our Values

Humanity

We respect and show compassion for our clients, staff and volunteers.

Diversity

We are inclusive and responsive to a diverse cross-section of the population.

Accessibility

We make special efforts to ensure access to services for people who face societal barriers.

Effectiveness

We are innovative and use our resources well.

Relevance

We proactively identify client/community concerns and address emerging issues.

Collaboration

We work together with our clients, our colleagues and our community.

Accountability

We strive towards continual evaluation and improvement of our work, and maintain ethical standards.

Social Justice

We advocate for healthy, safe and just environments free from violence, neglect and prejudice.

Confidentiality

All notes, records and communications created by Family Services à la famille Ottawa (FSFO) during your involvement as a client are kept secure and confidential and can be shared only with your written consent. The agency keeps a record of all appointments/visits. Information may be shared within FSFO for case management, quality assurance and eligibility purposes. Any information about a client is kept within the agency in strictest confidence.

There are a few exceptions to confidentiality when the law requires that our records be disclosed under strict conditions. In the following situations the law requires that reports be made and/or information released:

Suspected child abuse
Any life threatening danger to a client or to a third party (threat of suicide, threat towards others)
Court orders and subpoenas

Privacy Policy

Family Services à la famille Ottawa (FSFO) adheres strictly to the current legislation governing personal privacy (Personal Health Information Protection Act).

The information that we collect is used to:

Ensure that we can contact you
Maintain accountability as a service provider
Ensure that safety, legal and ethical standards are met
Assess the quality of services provided and the effectiveness of outcomes

All clinical files and data are the sole property of FSFO and are stored in a secure location or on a secure server. Any questions or concerns can be addressed directly to the Privacy Officer, who is the Executive Director.