YouthCAN

The OACAS Ontario Youth Communication Advocacy Network (YouthCAN) Program is the unified voice of Youth in Care in Ontario. It is dedicated to positively impacting Ontario’s child welfare system so that youth in care are empowered, secure and flourish in an environment that is conducive to realizing their full potential. The goals of the YouthCAN Program are to:

• advocate on behalf of youth in care in Ontario CASs
• communicate timely and relevant information to CASs and youth in care
• increase youth input into policy, programs and activities
• be a resource to CASs, youth networks and organizations with a Youth In Care mandate
  • Conference 2007 - Setting Up for Survival Success
  • Conference 2006
  • Youth Leaving Care survey
  • World Forum
  • YouthCAN Website

Conference 2006
The June 2006 conference was the opportunity to kick off the YouthCAN Program, which includes three components communication, advocacy and networking (CAN). The program’s communications are concentrated around three areas a youth Conference in 2007, the youth website (www.ontarioyouthcan.org) and the NOTICE Newsletter. The Youth Policy Advocacy and Advisory Group (YPAAG) was formed by youth across the province to advocate for issues identified during the conference and to have a voice in OACAS committees covering every region in Ontario. This group has written letters to Ministers, made submissions to Standing Committees, been consulted by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and is gaining recognition as a respected stakeholder. Networks of Youth Champions (staff) and Youth Leaders (youth in care) have been formed in Children's Aid Societies from across the province to provide youth the opportunity to develop positive peer relations, to have fun and to advocate for their needs. This network will also aid in the success of the program and report on results.

Youth Leaving Care survey
In 2006 the OACAS conducted a survey among over 300 youth and 300 Children’s Aid Society staff to find solutions to the issues facing youth leaving the care of CASs. Youth Leaving Care An OACAS Survey of CAS Youth and Staff is the largest survey of its kind in Canada, and the findings are based on the voices of these youth. The youth delegation used this report at the joint conference organized by OACAS, in collaboration with Children’s Mental Health Ontario, in June 2006, to challenge the audience by asking “What Would a Good Parent Do?” when planning for youth. They also agreed that the four most important issues are the age of eligibility, emotional support, financial assistance and educational support.

World Forum
In November 2006, with the support of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and Human Resources and  Social Development Canada, OACAS provided support for 13 youth from Ontario Children’s Aid Societies to attend the World Forum on Child Welfare in Vancouver and to present recommendations for changes to youth services in Ontario and across Canada.