The child and family services (CFS) system helps to ensure that families and communities provide for the safety and well-being of their children.  There are a number of provincial laws that are in place to accomplish this goal.  The most important ones are The Child and Family Services Act, The Adoption Act and The Child and Family Services Authorities Act.   Please visit this page for more information. 

• What is a CFS Agency
• What is an ADP
• What is a CFS Authority
• What is the Child Protection Branch

If this is an emergency, please call your local emergency police number.
For all other inquiries please contact a Designated Intake Agency (DIA) in your area. This  interactive map provides contact information for all Designated Intake Agencies in Manitoba.

For information about the types and signs of child abuse use the following:

• What should I do if a child says they are being abused?
• What will I need to say when I call?
• What types of abuse are there?
• When else might a Child and Family Services agency get involved?
  

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. 

Are you being hurt?

If someone has just hurt you or is hurting you now in any way including physically, sexually or emotionally call your local police emergency number.

If you are not being hurt but want to talk to someone about being hurt please call the Designated Intake Agency or call your local emergency police number.

Do you need someone to talk to?

If you don’t know who to talk to and are looking for someone that will offer confidential advice, you might visit the Kids’ Help Phone website or call directly 24 hours a day 1-800-668-6868.

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

The job of The Office of Children’s Advocate 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 Children’s Advocate can do for you, please visit their 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.

Children who can’t live with their families (or extended families) need safe, supportive homes.  The best thing for these children is to live with a foster family - a family (or person) who can accept, support and care for them as their own.  

For more information on fostering, please visit the Circle of Care or the Manitoba Foster Family Network.  

For information about adoptions please visit

When you have a question or concern about the services that a child and family service agency is providing or if you have a complaint, the best way to start is by talking with the CFS worker assigned to you. If you still have concerns or a complaint after talking to your worker, you have more options.

You can talk to your worker’s supervisor or the director of the CFS agency. If none of these give you the help you were looking for, then you can also call the CFS Authority.

The Authority oversees all the work and services done by its agencies and has the job of making sure services work for children and families.

If none of these are helpful to you, then you still have more ways available to help with your concern or complaint. These are the Child Protection Branch, The Office of The Children’s Advocate, the Manitoba Ombudsman, and the Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs. Each of these has a duty to listen to you and help you to work out your concern or complaint.

If you are not currently receiving services from a child and family services agency and have questions or concerns about CFS, it is recommended that you begin by talking with a local CFS agency. The CFS Authorities, The Child Protection Branch, The Office of the Children’s Advocate, Manitoba’s Ombudsman and the Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs are all venues that you might also consider.

Whichever starting point you choose, any of the following will be able to properly direct your call/query so that the issues you are concerned about are addressed:

• CFS Authorities and agencies
• Child Protection Branch
• Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA)
• Manitoba Ombudsman
• Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affair