In the 70's and early 80”s, the Society operated its own group home at 73 Highland Avenue. The home served as a receiving center for several youngsters as well as a treatment group home for 6-8 others. Herb and Joanne Cavalier operated the home.

A Foster Parent Association was developed in the mid 1970's to provide foster parents with a strong voice. During the initial years, it was difficult to maintain interest and membership. Eventually the Association took root and has become a viable voice for the foster parents. The Association has played a strong role in developing fair rates for foster care and getting ancillary services for foster parents including parent relief. The Society’s Board of Directors also established a position at the Board for foster parents. This position remained in place at the time of the Society’s centennial. The Foster Parent representative to the Board had full voting and membership privileges and was involved in the Committee structure. The Association also partnered with the staff of the agency’s resource department to coordinate recognition events and offer appropriate training opportunities to new and existing foster parents.

Mr. Kerr resigned in 1979 following the delivery of his 25th annual report.

Mr. Andre Bergeron became the Executive Director in the fall of 1979.

The staff went on strike in August of 1980.

Mr. Bergeron was asked to resign in August, 1980. Mr. R. Larry MacDonald was appointed Acting Director.

Staff returned to work in October, 1980.

In 1981 a Volunteer Program was developed to assist the workers in providing services to children and foster parents. The volunteers contributed most significantly through their assistance with travel. Many hundreds of thousands of miles were driven by the agency’s volunteers, freeing up the time involved for more direct social work involvement.

In May, 1981 Mr. R. Larry MacDonald was hired by the Board of Directors as Executive Director.

The medical community played a key role in what the Society could and could not do to protect children. The Agency was fortunate to have direct medical consulting services available in the 70's and '80's. Dr. James Nelles, and later his son David, were both Pediatricians and ran a practice on Victoria Avenue in Belleville. They made themselves available on very short notice, to conduct intake and admission medicals for the children the Agency worked with.

In September 1983 a second headstone was dedicated at an emotional service on a bright beautiful fall day. There are presently 44 children buried in the Society’s plots at Belleville Cemetery.

1984 saw the passing of the Child and Family Services Act. Initially intended as a short term measure the Act repealed not only the Child Welfare Act but also a number of other pieces of legislation that affected children, including the Children’s Institutions Act, the Children’s Residential Services Act and Children’s Mental Health Act. The intent of the CFSA was to consolidate the various services offered through these acts, extend the rights of children in care and support the autonomy and integrity of the family.