The Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) are responsible for assisting families and individuals, and providing support and services to a large segment of Ontario’s most vulnerable population, including children and the developmentally delayed and disabled.

The Legal Services Branch, which serves both MCSS and MCYS, provides legal advice to senior management and staff in both ministries with respect to their operations, legislation and litigation involving their programs. 

The ministries administer 22 statutes including those pertaining to social assistance, child welfare, youth justice, adoption, childcare, Ontarians with disabilities, and services for individuals with developmental disabilities.  The ministries provide funding to numerous programs through municipalities and transfer payment agreements.