At YouthCAN’s First Annual Conference Setting up for Survival Success on June 5, youth representatives of Ontario's Crown Wards presented the issues they believe still need to be addressed and ideas on what it will take to truly ensure that the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and Ontario's CASs act like “good parents.”

The recommendations from youth in the care of Ontario's children aid societies were developed during the weekend conference with one question in mind “What would a good parent do?” The recommendations are grouped in four areas Raising the age of eligibility to 25, Emotional Support Financial Assistance and Educational Support. Youth presenters who gave their recommendations to an audience of 400 people including the Minister of Children and Youth Services and representatives of Ontario's Children's Aid Societies are quoted below.

Raising the Age of Eligibility
One of the main recommendations is to increase the age of eligibility for service from 21 to 25 years of age.

• Extending the age to 25 is imperative in being able to support youth financially, emotionally and educationally.
• “You want to set us up for success but how are we able to do this when we are not given adequate support and time when it really matters!”
• “In average Canadian families, youth are remaining at or returning to home until age 27, according to Statistics Canada, while we as youth in care are forced to become fully responsible for everything at age 21! Why is this? We NEED more time!”

“This is my first year completely away and cut off from CAS. And let me tell you, it is difficult. Children’s Aid was my family. I do not have a mother or father to run to for help or money when I can’t come up with the rent. We are definitely in a tough situation because we are cut off before we reach our full potential.” - Brittany
More quotes…

Emotional Support
Youth identified emotional support of their social worker as critical to their survival and success.

• “We need more worker time, not less. Decreased caseloads for staff working with transitional aged youth is necessary as transitioning into independence requires additional support and the extra involvement from people who are important in our lives.”
• “Treat us like your own kids. We want you to call us and do the little things that can really make us feel that we are loved and have unconditional support, even after we turn 21.”
• Youth rooms should be made available at each agency.
• Open door policy fostered within agencies.
• Decreased caseloads for staff working with transitional aged youth.

“Our needs as youth in care are unique, but we are still human and we still require the same compassion as other children would. We want more than your ears, we want your hearts, your hands to work together to help us achieve, cope, grieve, overcome and most importantly – succeed.” – Andie
More quotes…

Financial Support
Many youth living on their own without family support rely on their monthly living allowance from their Society for their basic living needs. Youth recommended

• Annual review of living allowance to be adjusted to the cost of living.
• Ministry to increase the minimum living allowances for Crown Wards across the province, which was last set in 1994.
• Training for youth in planning and budgeting.

“We want the Ministry to raise the basic living allowance and include bus passes, medical, dental and prescription costs and include a clothing allowance to make the transition to independent living as smooth as possible.” - Emily
More quotes…

Educational Support
Youth identified several measures that will help them achieve their academic goals, including support for

• Educational assessments for those attending post-secondary education.
• Books ($500 per semester) if in post-secondary before 21.
• Tuition subsidy (half of tuition if attending school before 21).
• Application fee for university/college.
• Summer employment within a Children's Aid Society.

“You could help by paying the $80 needed to apply to colleges and universities. Eighty dollars may not seem like a lot of money, but it is to me when I am trying to make ends meet.” - Cathy
More quotes…

Call to Action
One of the youth presenting, Brandon asked the Minister directly to take action. "Where is the policy piece on youth transitioning to adulthood you promised us? You said our issues are important to you and we have been working hard in the last year, but we want to see what you can do. We call on you to make a difference in our lives, our outcomes, our successes, by really listening to us. Not hearing, but listening and implementing change." Brandon added, “Frontline workers, sometimes you’re the only parent or person we have to rely on! Make sure that everyone sets youth up for success not just survival!”

For more information, read the backgrounder, Powerpoint slides that accompanied the Youth Policy Advisory and Advocacy Group presentation at OACAS Consultation on June 4, 2007, and the June 5 press release Youth In Care Make Recommendations to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. For more quotes from youth presenters, click here.