Child and Family Services

If you think a child is being harmed or neglected, contact Child and Family Services (CFS) at 1 (866) 345-9241. In Winnipeg, contact (204) 944-4200.

NOTE: If this is an emergency, contact your local police emergency number.

If you are a parent in need of support with your children, contact a number above or visit Child and Family Services Contacts to get information about child and family services in your area.

How can we help you?

Who do I call if I want to contact my worker?

If you know the name of your worker and the agency they work for, you can call your worker directly by consulting the listing of Child and Family Services (CFS) agencies in Manitoba.

If you are not sure of the name of your worker or the agency involved, please contact your local Designated Intake Agency for further assistance.

How can I get information about why my child was apprehended?

It is important that you try to work with the CFS worker assigned to you, to understand the concerns which lead to the apprehension of your child(ren). This discussion might take place over a number of meetings or conversations, and should involve information about what might change the situation. It is important that you go to court and make every effort to understand your circumstances. If the reasons for apprehension cannot be resolved between you and the CFS agency, the courts will be asked to make decisions about the situation.

If your efforts to deal directly with the CFS worker are not successful, please see the section about questions or complaints.

What do I need to know about court?

Child and Family Services (CFS) will go to court to tell a judge why they believe they had to remove your children. You should get legal help (a lawyer) as soon as possible. If you can’t afford a lawyer, Legal Aid Manitoba may be able to help. Call 1-800-261-2960; or go to the website at: Legal Aid Manitoba.

You may be very upset at this time. It is important that you go to court to show that you care about what is happening with your children. If your children are 12 or older, they may be in the court room. The judge will want to hear what your children think of the plan for them. Child protection hearings are part of Family Court. Only people directly involved are allowed in the courtroom.

How do I get help if I am a child?

Do you have questions about the decisions being made for you?

The job of the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth is to talk to you, listen to you and help you tell your side of the story - to help you have a say. They are on your side! For more information about what the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth can do for you, please visit the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth website.

Are you a child in care?

Voices: Manitoba's Youth in Care Network provides support, encouragement, and advocacy for youth in care as they move from being children in care to independence and beyond.

How do I get help if I am pregnant or a new parent?

No matter where you are on your parenting journey—whether you're thinking about starting a family, expecting a child, or already a new or experienced parent—visit the Manitoba 211 website and the Resources for Residents page for helpful information and services available throughout the province.

How do I get help if I am a grandparent?

In December 2006, Manitoba’s Child and Family Services Act was amended to specifically address grandparents’ rights to apply for access. The legislation specifically recognizes that children can benefit from a positive, nurturing relationship with their grandparents. It also outlines possible kinds of access that can be granted and some of the factors the court may consider in deciding whether access is in the child’s best interests.

For more information on Manitoba laws on grandparents’ access refer to Family Law - Family Access to Children. For further information on the best interests of the child, refer to The Child and Family Services Act.

Who do I contact if I have a question or complaint about child and family services?

When an individual/citizen has a complaint regarding the services received from a child and family services agency in Manitoba, they are encouraged to follow the complaint review process. This process involves first bringing forward their complaint to the agency assigned worker, and then the agency supervisor. If the complaint remains unresolved, the individual can then bring their complaint forward to the program manager or finally to the agency Executive Director.

In the event the complaint can not be resolved at the agency level, an individual can bring forth their complaint to the governing CFS Authority that provides oversight to the agency. You can view Child and Family Services Contacts for contact information on CFS Authorities and agencies.

Finally, the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, and the Manitoba Ombudsman may be able to provide further assistance to questions or concerns. The Child and Youth Services Division is also able to provide support in directing complaints to the appropriate governing body or responding to questions about process or system navigation.