Substance use

Recommendation 48: Youth need support in finding purpose, which provides youth with a reason to access substance use support. This may need to be a two-part process with employers willing to support youth to get connected to the community and support resilience in bouncing back.

Employment

Recommendation 64: Provide youth with personalized support to transition back into the work-place and transition off of government benefits in a stable way. Youth will need support stabilizing mental health and substance use to be successful in future employment opportunities.

Common themes

Recommendation 76: Youth aging out of care is the most vulnerable population at risk of homelessness as a result of COVID-19. The sector recommends a staggering approach of youth aging out post-pandemic as service providers will not have the capacity to support this larger cohort. MCFD must continue providing the low-barrier Agreements with Young Adults to help bridge youth into safe and secure housing.

Common themes

Recommendation 78: The sector has identified increased substance use and overdoses as a result of the pandemic. The Coalition recommends low-barrier services that are implemented through a harm reduction lens, providing youth with a safe supply, and increasing the number of youth-specific treatment programs. The lack of treatment supports for youth is compounded by the risks associated with Bill 22 without the appropriate services for youth to transition into after being detained.