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For The Record

SUPPORTS FOR YOUTH IN CARE

March 2009
Ministry of Children and Family Development
 

Letters to the Editor

We’re committed to help youth thrive and successfully transition from government care to independence and adulthood.
  • Already this year (Feb.09), the Province completed 703 Youth Agreements to assist youth to either return to a family or successfully transition to independence – more than triple the number in 2001.
  • B.C.’s new $5-million Agreements with Young Adults program will provide financial support to former youth in care and youth who were in a youth agreement – aged 19 to 24 – to finish high school, learn job and life skills, attend post-secondary or complete rehabilitative programs.
  • The program builds on the Youth Education Assistance Fund (YEAF). Created in 2002, the program – which provides bursaries of $5,500 to former youth in care to pursue post-secondary education – has supported more than 510 young adults.
  • In June 2008, an additional $1 million was added to the $5 million YEAF trust. A separate YEAF endowment fund, expected to grow over time, currently holds more than $1 million.
  • MCFD recently launched Kinnections, a Lower Mainland pilot project linking youth transitioning into adulthood with lifelong adult mentors.
  • The ministry has broadened the use of family group conferencing to assist youth in care transitioning to adulthood by engaging the youth and other significant people in their lives to provide another level of support as they prepare to leave care.
  • The ministry works closely with – and provides funding to – the BC Federation of Youth in Care Networks. In 2006/07, the ministry increased the federation’s budget from $300,000 annually, to more than $500,000.
  • In 06/07, the federation also received a $375,000 grant for a three-year pilot project to help Lower Mainland youth transitioning out of care find – and keep – employment.
  • MCFD also provides direct services, or funds community agencies to provide a range of services, for youth aged 16-18 living apart from family or caregivers in situations that place their safety and well-being at risk.  The intent of these services is to help these youth transition safely and successfully into adulthood. Some of the services include:
    • Mediation – “parent-youth conflict resolution” helps families resolve problems by recognizing and building on the strengths within family relationships.
    • Outreach – on the street and drop-in services to reduce the risks of street life and enhance opportunities to reconnect with families, communities and services.
    • Safe Houses / Emergency Shelters – safe and supportive, short-term accommodation for youth who wish to leave the streets or other unsafe situations.
    • Transitional Housing - on-site social supports to help stabilize youth, typically for 6 months to 2 years, until they are ready for market rentals. Supports may include mental health and addictions counselling, life skills, assistance with school entrance or job training.
    • Youth Services Assessment & Safety Planning – assessments to determine the most appropriate youth services.
    • Youth Support Workers - ongoing support to youth to assist in making successful transitions to a return to family or to independence.
    • Services for Sexually Exploited Youth – In addition to the above-noted services, youth involved in trading sex for considerations may also receive individualized “wraparound” support services.
    • Guardianship Services - provided when it is in the youth’s best interest to be taken into care due to protection concerns. The ministry can provide various services such as foster homes, group homes and specialized resources.
    • Youth Mental Health Services – specialized services, ranging from assessment to treatment and referral, for youth experiencing serious social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
    • Youth Justice Services – diversion programs; supervision and case management of youth who are on bail, probation, peace bonds, community or conditional supervision; preparation of reports for court and Crown Counsel; community-based residential and non-residential programs; and custody services for youth awaiting review, trial or sentence and to those already sentenced.
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Letters to the Editor

Aug. 10, 2009
Letter to the Editor
SUPPORTING B.C. FOSTER FAMILIES
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published Aug. 10, 2009
These are tough economic times, as a recent article serves to underline (“Foster Parenting Advocates need better supports”). In spite of these challenges, government has increased funding to foster care by $3.6 million in 2009/10. [Read More]

Dec. 31, 2008
Letter to the Editor
CHILD IN THE HOME OF A RELATIVE IS A VALUABLE PROGRAM
By Tom Christensen
Minister of Child and Family Development
Submitted: The Province Newspaper
Status: TBD
Grandparents and others who provide care under the Child in the Home of a Relative Program provide a valuable service to their respective families and communities.[Read More]

Sept. 30, 2008
Letter to the Editor
GOVERNMENT BENCHMARK BASED ON ABILITY TO CARE FOR CHILD
By Tom Christensen
Minister of Child and Family Development
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Status: Not Published
Re: “Government Should Not Discriminate,” September 30, Vancouver Sun
Disability is not the benchmark used by the Ministry of Child and Family Development to determine whether a person is able to parent – the ability to safely care for a child is.[Read More]

Sept. 26, 2008
Letter to the Editor
MINISTRY TAKES APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PROTECT VULNERABLE CHILDREN
By Tom Christensen
Minister, Children and Family Development
Submitted: Victoria Times-Colonist
Status: Published Sept. 29, 2008
Re: Warning Signs at Children’s Ministry, September 26
In a column appearing in the September 26th edition the Times-Colonist, Paul Willcocks comments on the Child in the Home of a Relative Program (CIHR), an income assistance program that assists aunts, uncles or grandparents who may be taking care of a relative who may not be their child. In doing so, Mr. Willcocks jumps to conclusions that are inaccurate. [Read More]

Sept. 21, 2008
Letter to the Editor
MINISTRY SEEKS OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE ADOPTIONS
By Tom Christensen
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Staus: Published Sept. 24, 2008
Re: "B.C. should make adoption easier by creating a website," Editorial, September 20
We are committed to creating as many adoption placements as possible for children and youth who are in permanent care and seeking life-long families. [Read More]