Access To CFS File

1. Email your CFS worker and tell them you would like access to your CFS file and the reason why.
2. you have the right to contact their supervisor and tell them that you would like to access your CFS file and the reason why. If you choose to call your CFS worker’s supervisor, we recommend you also email the supervisor, so you have evidence of when you contacted them, and what your ask was. You can get the contact information for the supervisor by calling your CFS worker’s office and asking for it.
3. When you contact the supervisor, it’s important that you say when you reached out to your worker (dates and times) and their response. The supervisor needs this information so they can investigate your ask.
4. Remember you have a right to speak to the supervisor, so if you are not provided with the information, contact one of the advocates listed below.
5. If the supervisor doesn’t respond or says no, you have the right to contact the person at the agency who oversees the CFS supervisor. In the same way as before, when you email them state the following:

• What your worker’s name is, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response.
• Then the supervisor’s name, when you contacted them, what you asked for and their response.

1. Sometimes they are the director or executive director of the agency. You have a right to know who this person is and their contact information.
2. If the director or executive director does not reply or says no, then you can contact the CEO of your CFS Authority. Find out more about what Authority your care is under and who the CEOs are.
3. When you contact the CEO, make sure you include the following information:

• What your worker’s name is, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response?
• The supervisor’s name, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response.
• The director or executive director’s name, what you asked for, and their response.

1. If the CEO does not respond or denies you access, then you can contact the Deputy Director of CFS and ask for access to your file.
2. When you contact the Deputy Director of CFS, you will need to provide the following information:

• Your worker’s name, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response.
• The supervisor’s name, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response.
• The director or executive director’s name, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response.
• The CEO’s name, when you contacted them, what you asked for, and their response.

The Deputy Director of CFS is the last person you can ask before you will need to get a lawyer to ask a judge to release your information.

It’s important to know that you might not get all the information you are looking for in your file, but there are very specific reasons for information to be redacted (blanked out). This includes:

• Any part of your file that provides information about another person, who does not work for agencies, organizations and individuals who provide services that are government funded. For example, if someone reported your family to CFS, then their information will be removed, but if a foster parent or worker writes something and it’s in your file, then you should be able to see who wrote it.
• Any information that could put the safety of someone else at risk. For example, if your child is in CFS care due to safety concerns, when you access your file there could be information about why your child has been removed, but they would redact any information about where they are living, who their caregivers are and what school they are attending.
• You do not have a right to your entire file, and it’s up to each agency and authority to decide if you will receive your file or a summary version and whether they will review it with you or provide you with the documents. Whatever decision is made, you have a right to know why and in writing.

For support in advocating or writing CFS file requests, contact the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth or VOICES: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network.