The SAD pandemic is real; Sexual Violence, Addictions, and Domestic Violence (SAD) result in too many children in care yearly and aging out to different systems such as Prison, Employment and Income Assistance Program, Mental Health Institution, Drug Rehabilitation & Homelessness.

Are we going to allow the cycle to continue for generations?•We all have a role to play to help save the children from SAD

The authors took an objective perspective inside the child welfare system being social scientists and working in the field of social work. They assessed, analyzed, and diagnosed the possible root cause of the increase number of children and family involved in the child welfare system.

Going back and looking at child welfare in the past and what it has evolved to in contemporary practice, the authors were able to identify that SAD is what needs to be the main focus if we are to see better results for the children entering and exiting the child welfare system .Realizing that the future is “at risk” as a result of the SAD pandemic, there is a need for positive change.

The authors explored possible solutions to the SAD pandemic with the hope of finding a cure or treatment. We are therefore on a quest to replace SAD with JOY.

By suggesting practical steps and recommendations on how to break the inter-generational cycle, we hope to get everyone to buy in to take action.•Its time for us to eradicate SAD and replace it with JOY