The Community and Family Services Department grew out of the Children's Aid Society of Edmonton and served as the city's source of children's aid and public welfare from 1926 to 1997 when it was eventually absorbed into the Community Services Department. Reporting to the Mayor and City Council, the Department was tasked with supplying relief to the at-risk populations of Edmonton, including seniors, families in need, and children. These responsibilities took the form of subsidy and grant management, welfare distribution, and pension payment. Although the Department was occupied with several services for various populations, most of the records contained within the fonds consist of documents pertaining to children's aid.

Throughout all iterations and changes of the Department, the functions of the service endeavored to create, maintain, and manage projects related to daycares, special subsidies, and other social support mechanisms. As part of a major administrative reorganization launched by the City of Edmonton in 1997, the Department was absorbed in order to lower costs and make the City more efficient.