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According to Toronto Children’s Aid Society, Black Torontonians only represent 9 percent of the city’s population while Black children represent the highest percentage of children in their care. The most recent data shows 42 percent of children and youth in CAS-T’s care identify as Black, reflecting a number that hasn’t changed much in the last few years. Toronto’s Children’s Aid Society admits systemic racism is a problem, along with pre-conceived ideas about a parent’s ability to care for their child. So how do we fix this? Mahesh Prajapat, Chief Operating Officer of CAS Toronto, tells Saba Eitizaz it’s time for CAS to stop trying to bring children in to the child welfare system — and focus on supporting the family instead.