320 search results for
Youth in care
Recommendation 6:
There should also be a requirement that the Ministry respond to alternative proposals by parents, Nations, and community-based organizations that support the parent. The Yellowhead Institute recommends that the legislation include “affidavit evidence from the Indigenous group that there is no available placement.
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Recommendation 19:
There needs to be a coordinated effort between MCFD and Indigenous organizations to support youth aging out.
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Recommendation 57:
There must be priority to keeping income levels consistent to avoid an influx of youth experiencing homelessness. Provide youth with resources and adequate preparation time to transition off government support to employment.
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Recommendation 3:
There is unfortunately a risk in directing attention to the challenges faced by a child/children of parents in conflict with the law that it might contribute to their further stigmatization and isolation. It is very important to intervene “lightly”, with proper attention to protecting the privacy of these children, while helping them fight isolation (or worse, association with high-risk groups like a gang). Care must be taken to ensure that no intervention ever contributes directly or indirectly to the stigmatization of these children as “problem children”; they are simply children who need special protection and support. Agency practices should never be detrimental to the physical safety and emotional wellbeing of the children. This requires that a trauma-informed approach be used with children and adults. Situations or processes can raise past experiences of trauma that involved the victimization or potential victimization for both the children and adults.
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
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2018
2018
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Recommendation 5:
There is perhaps no greater challenge currently facing young people in B.C. transitioning into adulthood than finding appropriate, affordable and safe housing. We echo the recommendation made in the late Katherine McParland’s report, From Marginalized to Magnified: Youth Homelessness Solutions from those with Lived Expertise – that the Ministry of Attorney General and Minister responsible for Housing should work with BC Housing to develop and implement an aggressive plan to work toward ending youth homelessness in B.C., with particular attention to young adults who have transitioned from care. As part of this plan, additional dedicated housing units should be provided for young people aging out of care. Units on a continuum of support – including with mental health and addictions supports where needed – should be available and eligibility requirements reduced.
BC Housing is to develop a comprehensive plan by April 1, 2022 and begin full implementation of that plan thereafter.
BC Housing is to develop a comprehensive plan by April 1, 2022 and begin full implementation of that plan thereafter.
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Recommendation 8:
There is little or no support for Métis families struggling to keep their families together. Métis children are being taken from their families and moved into the care of government because the family is in poverty. It is recommended that the monies currently spent by the Provincial Government to keep Métis children in care be utilized to invest in Métis families to enable them to remain within their family environment.
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Recommendation 15:
The Supreme Court of Canada, in Michel v. Graydon, which specifically deals with the B.C. Family Law Act, discusses principles that apply to the interpretation of statutes which directly bear on the role of the B.C. Legislature in upholding children’s rights, including their participation rights. The concurring judgment states: (1) that the Legislature is presumed to take into account Canada’s international obligations, which includes those found in the CRC (at para. 103); and (2) that the Legislature is taken to know the social and historical context in which it makes its intention known (at para. 97). The literature, taking an approach consistent with these principles, suggests that the Legislature plays a critical role in implementing children’s right to participate effectively in court processes. Though many important legislative, regulatory and policy steps have been taken, the literature identifies several others that are necessary to meet B.C.’s obligations to children in family law and child welfare processes. They include the specific incorporation of the CRC in both the FLA and the CFCSA, ensuring that both court processes incorporate procedural safeguards and guarantees, making sure that children in court processes are fully informed of their participatory rights and allowing children to apply for declarations relating to their best interests.
In addition, specific legislative changes and clarifications are necessary in the FLA and the CFCSA. For the FLA, these include a review of the following sections: s. 37(1) (b), views of the child; the s. 1 definition of family violence (to clarify that intent is not required); s. 203, dealing with legal representation; s. 199, dealing with conflict and family violence; and s. 37(2)(j), considering any other civil or criminal proceeding. For the CFCSA, amendments are required which provide the legal advice and representation children require throughout the processes, as well as specific provisions relating to hearing children’s views.
In addition, specific legislative changes and clarifications are necessary in the FLA and the CFCSA. For the FLA, these include a review of the following sections: s. 37(1) (b), views of the child; the s. 1 definition of family violence (to clarify that intent is not required); s. 203, dealing with legal representation; s. 199, dealing with conflict and family violence; and s. 37(2)(j), considering any other civil or criminal proceeding. For the CFCSA, amendments are required which provide the legal advice and representation children require throughout the processes, as well as specific provisions relating to hearing children’s views.
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Recommendation 1:
The specific vulnerabilities of children of incarcerated parents must be considered and taken into account. These children have rights and those rights must be protected. Children should not be discriminated against because of the actions of a member of their family or for any other reason. The best interests of the child must be considered explicitly in all decisions that affect these children (Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 3). These children must be provided with the opportunity for their views to be heard, directly or indirectly, in relation to decisions which may affect them (Article 12).
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 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.
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Recommendation 1:
The Representative is calling for a special convening of the child-serving systems and the children, youth, families and communities they serve to respond to the cracks in our care system that are contributing to children and youth being pushed and pulled away from the systems of care and being subjected to increased risks of serious incidents or critical injuries and deaths. To address the root systemic and structural causes of children and youth going missing from the child welfare system we need to collectively explore:
- What are the conditions of unbelonging that lead to children becoming lost or missing in the child welfare system?
- How are children’s unmet needs across systems contributing to them going missing?
- How do we align systems of care and protection to respond more effectively and uphold the rights of children who have disappeared in the system?
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- Academic institutions ,
- Faith and cultural groups ,
- First Nations governments ,
- General public ,
- Government of British Columbia ,
- Health authorities ,
- Human rights institutions ,
- Independent offices of the Legislature ,
- Indigenous organizations ,
- Municipal governments ,
- Non-profits and community organizations ,
- Public sector
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