The Agency entered 1987 with a new building and a large deficit. Shortly after moving into the new building, the deficit was covered by the Government. The new site was at 363 Dundas Street West, south of the School for the Deaf, on land that was formerly owned by the Government of Ontario. The Honorable John Sweeney, Minister of Community and Social Services in the Provincial Government, officially opened the 13,100 square foot building on April 14, 1987.

“A Brief History of the Society” prepared by employee Jean Cunningham was sealed in a time capsule at the opening ceremony of 363 Dundas Street West, Belleville.

In 1987, federal legislation in the form of Bill C15, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act, came into force. It contained much needed legislation for dealing with child sexual abuse. These changes were a follow up to the Badgley Report, which pointed out the shortcomings of the previous legislation and system of dealing with these related issues.

In October 1990 the Society opened a 10 bed co-ed residential treatment home next door to the Belleville office at 371 Dundas St. West.

In 1992, the Society endeavoured to move into new territory and ran a training session for the local clergy in dealing with child abuse, neglect and prevention matters. Ross Dawson, then the Director of the Child Abuse Training Centre in Toronto, came to the area and, with the Society’s Executive Director, R. Larry MacDonald, ran a session for Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical Ministers. It was a unique opportunity and helped to facilitate a better mutual understanding, in addition to imparting critical information regarding reporting responsibilities.

In 1993, with the assistance of the local Lions Club, the Agency installed a T.D.D. device to allow the hearing impaired to report and seek services directly through a print-out system connected through the telephone line.

In 1994 a significant change took place in how Societies could deal with former crown wards that had passed their 18th birthday. Previous to this there was only a limited ability for the Society to provide financial support to youth until the age of 21 years, generally related to ongoing education. With the changes, funding could now be provided to young people who were endeavouring to develop a life plan after Crown Wardship, one that did not necessarily involve continued education. The monthly living allowance was set by the Ministry at $663 per month.