The B.C. Coalition to End Youth Homelessness published its second Special Report on COVID-19 and youth homelessness in July 2020. The report recommends unique, youth-centred ways to increase income levels for youth at risk of homelessness and the development of a BC Youth Housing Action Plan that provides a continuum of housing and access to rental subsidies. The report also recommends increasing youth safety and security online to mitigate risks of exploitation and online bullying.
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Children and youth in care
Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 16: Ensure every youth aging out has a SIN card and photo ID. Youth are reporting challenges in accessing ID during the pandemic.-
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Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 17: All CLBC and Mental health assessments must be completed prior to youth aging out. Youth report delays on receiving assessments during the pandemic, which will affect the level of support they receive in the future.-
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Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 18: Provide face to face transition planning support. Youth report that the pandemic has increased isolation and anxiety, which makes it challenging to make big life decisions.-
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Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 19: There needs to be a coordinated effort between MCFD and Indigenous organizations to support youth aging out.-
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Youth in and from the foster care system
Recommendation 21: Ensure schools re-open in September and a plan is in place to ensure classrooms are open for youth in care to attend should a second wave occur.-
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Social connections
Recommendation 22: Support workers need to provide in-person support to make a strong connection with youth. For those who are unable to, they should provide frequent virtual check-ins.-
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Mental health
Recommendation 31: Low-barrier support that provides drop in programming or short, easy life-skills workshops such as budgeting, employment, career training, mental wellness, and social activities. Youth recommend non-clinical activities such as walking with a community support worker.-
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Mental health
Recommendation 33: Develop a “no wrong door” policy by ensuring all organizations know what resources are available and what youth need supports to ensure no youth falls through the cracks. Mental health organizations should partner with non-profits to provide youth with clinical supports and workshops. There should be one referral document for all services such as the Wrapforce program in Kamloops and the One Door initiative in Kelowna.-
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Mental health
Recommendation 34: Provide youth with in-house mental health and cognitive assessments, so they are able to access CLBC and other supports in a timely manner.-
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Substance use
Recommendation 45: Provide youth with access to in-house substance use counselors and face to face NA/AA meetings. Some youth are not able to access the online meetings or they don’t work for them. Youth benefit from peer-based knowledge groups to de-stigmatize substance use.-
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