Child and Youth Care

Youth who age out of government care have no safety net; they are cut off from the system that had provided care and support to them and cast adrift at the age of majority by the ‘state parent’ (i.e., government). For the past 25 years, Aunt Leah’s has offered a range of programs for youth and young mothers to support their transition to adulthood and independent living.

This information sheet describes some of the challenges faced by youths growing up in foster care when they transition from foster care to living on their own. It also describes some of the programs and services that have been implemented in North America to improve their opportunities for success.

The Youth Leaving Care Hearings were the first public hearings organized and run by young people at Queen’s Park, the home of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth partnered with dozens of volunteers — all young people in and from care — to hold hearings designed to address the issues faced by many of the 8,300 children and youth who are Crown Wards in Ontario. On November 18th and 25th, 2011, children and youth from across the province spoke about their experiences and had the opportunity to help make changes.

This report focuses on the issue of young people transitioning out of care into adulthood. In 2011-12, regional workshops for professionals called “Advocacy 101: The Basics and Beyond” were hosted by the OCYA. Each workshop concluded with a youth panel. These young people were invited to speak because they had an advocate in their lives and were willing to speak about their experiences with advocacy. Throughout their stories a common theme emerged; youth transitioning
out of care are still facing significant challenges. This, along with a number of discussions with OCYA staff, young people and other stakeholders led to the formation of this report.

For 30 years, Aunt Leah’s Place has been helping kids in foster care and young mothers achieve a better future by providing guidance, supported housing, job training and coaching on essential life skills. We believe every individual deserves to feel safe, cared for, and have a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, this is not a reality for many teens in the foster care system. When they “age out” of government care at 19, they find themselves completely alone.

Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network provides support, encouragement, and advocacy to young people in and from care in Manitoba. We come alongside youth while they are in care, as they transition to in(ter)dependence, and as they grow into adults pursuing their goals. We are youth-driven and youth-focused. We raise awareness of the challenges youth-in-care face, educating the public and working with child welfare professionals to create a better system of care in Manitoba. Improving living conditions for children and youth who find themselves in alternative care, such as foster homes, group homes, and independent living programs.

The Roadmap has been directly informed by consultations with youth who have experienced homelessness across Canada. In order to reform our response to youth homelessness, it is critical that youths’ voices, experiences, insights, and wisdom are the cornerstone of the work. Between July 2017 and January 2018, A Way Home Canada and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness consulted with youth across Canada to ask what it would have taken to prevent their homelessness, as well as what programs, policies, services, and supports are needed to prevent youth homelessness in Canada. Their valuable insights challenge our current thinking and point to a new approach that more effectively helps young people before they end up on the streets.