Extended Support for

Youths Transitioning from Foster

Care.

By: Katherine Armitage, Alexa Callitsis, Rene Chen & Kristy

Molnar

What is Foster Care?

What Factors can Contribute to Youths being Placed in Foster Care?

- Child being removed from the parental

home due to :

• - Abuse

• - Loss of parents (death)

• - Poverty

• - Incarceration - a parent's incarceration in prison or jail.

• - Abandonment -parents have dropped the child at the sitters and never returned

What is the current age in which support is tapered off?

Why do we feel it is important to extend care?

• 42 % of young adults in Canada aged 20-29 live at home with their parents.

• Irwin Ellman's report shows that extending care would actually be more cost effective in the long run " For every dollar spent, the province would save $1.36,"

"I'm actually terrified because when I turn 21, I have no one and I will have nothing"

What do we want?

• Tangible support; financial, housing.

• Decision-making or problem-solving assistance;

• Support related to self-esteem; emotional support

• Providing job training opportunities

Who are our stakeholders?

• Irwin Elman

Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youths.

• Anna Ho & Jason McGuirk, Our Voice, Our Turn

A group of foster youths and former foster youths who are advocating for extended care and support.

How did we go about advocating for extended care?

How will we continue to advocate for this cause?

How can YOU get involved?

Transitional Care for all Foster Youths GTA-Canada.

Youth Leaving Care Hearings.

References

Office for the Provincial Advocate of Children and Youth: www.provincialadvocate.on.ca

Statistics Canada

"25 is the new 21" Pdf Report by : Irwin Ellman

Photos:

http://ptsd-home.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/foster-care.jpg

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