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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Mental health and substance use
Housing
Recommendation 2: Develop and build youth-specific housing that includes a variety of accommodations including communal, transitional, supportive, scattered site, and affordable market units. There should be designated low-barrier housing for youth with mental health and substance use concerns, as well as housing for youth who do not use substances. Youth recommend having teachers, nurses, and life-skills workers onsite.-
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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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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 29: Free counseling should be provided to all youth and should be available on-line and inperson. Youth recommend providing young people with a choice in their counselor.-
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Mental health
Recommendation 30: Increased mental health services that are pro-active with a focus on self-care and safety plans, including access to online programs and supports.-
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Mental health
Recommendation 32: Services should be extended and provided after-hours and on weekends, as we all know that crises do not happen during 9-5.-
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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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Mental health
Recommendation 35: Partner with non-profits to provide health services onsite to youth to reduce their risk of community transmissions by going to a walk-in clinic.-
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