On May 14, Children’s Aid Societies across the province, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and the Ontario Child Advocate’s Office will be paying tribute to children and youth in care. The Children and Youth in Care Day Act was proclaimed in 2014 and this
Year youth in care from across the province will gather at Toronto City Hall for a program inspired by recent youth-driven advocacy and political action both at home and around the world.
This year we saw significant and positive changes happening for youth. On January 1, provisions contained in the new Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) regarding raising the age of protection to include services for 16- and 17- year olds were proclaimed into law. All other parts of the Act came into effect on April 30, 2018.
The objective of raising the age of protection is to support the delivery of child protection services to all eligible youth until their 18th birthday. This change has been something the child welfare sector has long advocated for and we strongly support this initiative while also recognizing that additional community supports are required given the complex developmental, social, and emotional needs of many youth.
Highland Shores Children’s Aid (HSCA) is looking to strengthen the voice of youth by adding a former youth in the care of a CAS to its Board of Directors. The Society is looking for community members who are over the age of 21 and who have had experience in the care of a Children’s Aid Society, whether that was HSCA or another CAS within Ontario.
On June 11, the Children’s Foundation, Highland Shores Children’s Aid and Mohawk Family Services will celebrate the many amazing achievements of young people currently in the care of the Society at the Annual Reach for Success Youth Awards.
Tami Callahan, Director of Services for Highland Shores Children’s Aid commented, “The Youth Awards is one of the highlights of our year providing a chance to recognize some wonderful accomplishments. On Children and Youth in Care Day we celebrate what can be achieved when young people make their voices heard. Adding a former youth in care to our Board of Directors is another step towards strengthening our commitment to the most important people we serve.”