320 search results for
Youth in care
Recommendation 7:
Academic scholarship and policy papers focused on children’s rights to representation point to the need for increased funding from government sources, to provide consistent and dependable counsel for children (Bala & Birnbaum, 2019; Byrne & Lundy, 2019; Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, 2016; Collins, 2019). However, it is also notable that none of this literature provides specific guidance as to where extra funding should be sourced or how new programming may be implemented to maintain both efficient and effective legal assistance for children to facilitate the expression of their views in a legal setting. In particular, the CBA Alternative Report (2020) suggests that in B.C., absolutely no funding is set aside for children’s representation (p. 33). This is particularly problematic in relation to immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous children (CBA, 2020). This may be the case for two reasons: 1) an overall lack of resources (particularly given the current local and international economic climate in the wake of Covid-19 – see Garlen, 2020); and/or 2) a lack of awareness at the federal level of the critical importance of this issue, and the ‘domino effect’ of reduced rights for vulnerable populations. As a result, it is recommended that policy organisations focused on this issue work to demonstrate whether and how additional funding can be allocated to children’s legal representation. In New Zealand, for example, the Family Court (Supporting Families in Court) Legislation Bill forms part of a $62 million package that restores the right to legal representation at the start of a care of children dispute in the Family Court (Government of New Zealand, 2020, p. 1). Enhanced attention and funding at the federal level can only benefit both those organisations focused on this area, as well as beneficiary populations.
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Recommendation 1:
A BC Youth Housing Action Plan that outlines priority actions and promising models of housing that will be the foundation of a provincial plan to end youth homelessness.
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Recommendation 21:
- Support the parents’ reintegration after incarceration (reintegration planning, housing at point of release, access to financial assistance, etc.) and provide support for family issues.
- Involve children’s families and caregivers in the planning of the parent’s release and return to the community.
- Work collaboratively with families to ensure a smooth transition of the incarcerated parent from custody to the community.
- Expand family contacts and increase family involvement in preparation for the parents’ release. Design and implement pre- and post-release reintegration programs that take into account the specific needs of individuals resuming their parental role in the community.
- Ensure that decisions regarding early release of incarcerated parents take into account their parental responsibilities, as well as their specific family reintegration needs and issues.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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Recommendation 24:
- Support the development of systems, standards and practices that respect and reflect the pivotal place that culture, tradition, values, language and identity play in the lives of children.
- Help children build connection to community, culture, group, clan, and extended family when those relationships have been damaged.
- Engage community resources without a formal mandate to support the children and their families.
- Help Indigenous children and heal families by helping children preserve their aboriginal identity.
- Keep Indigenous children connected to their land, languages and culture.
- Make use of Indigenous decision-making process.
- Work closely with Indigenous communities to identify ways to protect children of parents in conflict with the law without removing them from the family or the community, and find homes within the children’s extended family or community.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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Recommendation 14:
- Support relatives who are taking care of the children. For example, see the EFry Brochure on “Raising a Relative’s Child”.
- Support foster parents and work with the agencies responsible for foster care arrangements to provide them with information, resources, and training.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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Recommendation 15:
- Provide timely access to legal assistance (e.g., through legal assistance phoneline, Family Law Centres, etc.).
- Provide legal information to children in an age-sensitive manner.
- Provide timely across to legal assistance (e.g., through legal assistance phoneline, Family Law Centres, etc.).
- Help parents and caregivers deal with child custody and child protection matters.
- Provide legal advocacy for the children and protect their rights in all contacts with the legal system.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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Recommendation 12:
- Provide children with access to emotional and psychosocial support, including help in dealing with stress, trauma, and feelings of stigma, blame and shame.
- Ensure the children’s safety and, if necessary, develop and implement child safety plans; allow the child to stay in his/her home under a “supervision order” with conditions that the parents must follow; and, remove the child if the child safety cannot be ensured.
- Improve the children’s access to existing programs (sport, recreation, mentoring, etc.).
- Facilitate the integration of children into a new school or a new community when they have to relocate.
- Help normalize the child’s life (increased adult support and conversations, new relationships, activities, etc.).
- Offer support to children who have developed behavioural issues that affect their adaptation in school, participation in sports, or enjoyment of recreational and sport activities.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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Audience:
Recommendation 2:
The National Occupancy Standards should not be used to exclude safe options for women experiencing violence.
As our research shows, the National Occupancy Standards are standing in the way of women accessing affordable units in social housing. Without affordable housing options, women may end up in unsafe situations. Furthermore, there is a common concern that MCFD may become involved due to the size of the unit a women is living in with her children or MCFD is unable to return children to the care of their mother from foster care because she is not able to obtain a big enough unit. The NOS are intended to address habitability and overcrowding issues but as applied as requirements by relevant housing and social service agencies, the unintended consequence is to keep women in unsafe circumstances and limit their freedom to access safe and affordable housing.
We recommend that CMHC clarify that the NOS are guidelines, not regulation and that safety should be established as the main priority for housing women and their children, not number of bedrooms.
As well, we recommend that MCFD educate their workforce so that the National Occupancy Standards are not used as justification for separating women and her children.
As our research shows, the National Occupancy Standards are standing in the way of women accessing affordable units in social housing. Without affordable housing options, women may end up in unsafe situations. Furthermore, there is a common concern that MCFD may become involved due to the size of the unit a women is living in with her children or MCFD is unable to return children to the care of their mother from foster care because she is not able to obtain a big enough unit. The NOS are intended to address habitability and overcrowding issues but as applied as requirements by relevant housing and social service agencies, the unintended consequence is to keep women in unsafe circumstances and limit their freedom to access safe and affordable housing.
We recommend that CMHC clarify that the NOS are guidelines, not regulation and that safety should be established as the main priority for housing women and their children, not number of bedrooms.
As well, we recommend that MCFD educate their workforce so that the National Occupancy Standards are not used as justification for separating women and her children.
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Recommendation 1:
Prioritizing affordable housing is essential for poverty reduction and economic security of women experiencing violence.
This community needs assessment and review of the academic and grey literature clearly shows that women experiencing violence face many challenges to securing affordable housing, with the most foundational barrier being unaffordability of housing and chronic poverty. Women experiencing violence need to find housing that is actually affordable (no more than 30% of her income) so that they are able to avoid a cycle of poverty.
We recommend that all levels of government commit to building adequate and affordable housing that fits the needs of women and their children experiencing violence.
This community needs assessment and review of the academic and grey literature clearly shows that women experiencing violence face many challenges to securing affordable housing, with the most foundational barrier being unaffordability of housing and chronic poverty. Women experiencing violence need to find housing that is actually affordable (no more than 30% of her income) so that they are able to avoid a cycle of poverty.
We recommend that all levels of government commit to building adequate and affordable housing that fits the needs of women and their children experiencing violence.
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Recommendation 3:
Partnerships are vital to reducing barriers for women experiencing violence.
Many of the barriers that women face in finding affordable long term housing can be reduced through partnerships across sectors and awareness building about the impacts of violence against women. While affordability and availability of housing are major barriers for people impacted by increasing unaffordability in BC, women experiencing violence face additional specific barriers due to their circumstances. We can see that barriers such as a lack of references, access to childcare or understanding their housing options are obstacles that can be better solved with partnerships.
We recommend that this project continues to build partnerships between transition houses, government, and the housing sector to help address and work towards improving these types of barriers.
Many of the barriers that women face in finding affordable long term housing can be reduced through partnerships across sectors and awareness building about the impacts of violence against women. While affordability and availability of housing are major barriers for people impacted by increasing unaffordability in BC, women experiencing violence face additional specific barriers due to their circumstances. We can see that barriers such as a lack of references, access to childcare or understanding their housing options are obstacles that can be better solved with partnerships.
We recommend that this project continues to build partnerships between transition houses, government, and the housing sector to help address and work towards improving these types of barriers.
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