YOUTHCAN PRESENTATION TO CONNECTING NOW FOR THE FUTURE The Ontario Youth in Care Network and Youth-Adult Partnerships in Advocacy
Outline of Presentation Our presentation will include: YouthCAN Communications, Advocacy and Networking Overview of our program What is advocacy to us? Guiding principles and tips Roles for adults and youth Examples of how youth and adult partnerships can result in effective change Financial support Educational assistance Emotional support and extending care beyond 18 and 21 Youth voice
Mission Statement The Ontario Youth Communications and Advocacy Network, as the unifying voice for Youth in Care, is dedicated to improving the quality of care for Youth in Ontario s Child Welfare System so that they are empowered, secure and able to realize their full potential.
YouthCAN Program Overview Communication Youth Newsletter Youth Website www.ontarioyouthcan.org Youth Conference Program Advocacy Youth voice on OACAS Committees Ad-hoc advocacy by Youth Program Coordinators Youth Policy and Advisory Group (YPAAG) Networking Regional YouthCAN groups Resources for Regional Activities Purpose is to build relationships amongst youth in care/leaving care; develop leadership and self-help skills Support is provided to local groups where appropriate, and where we can, given our resources
Communication Website Quarterly Newsletter Conference Program Facebook
Advocacy Youth Policy Advisory and Advocacy Group (YPAAG) Started in 2006 following the call to action at the OACAS/CMHO joint conference Youth members from across the province Mission statement, terms of reference and set goals Group convenes 3-4 times per year, usually in Toronto plus an annual rural leadership retreat Recognized as a credible go to group for input on issues pertaining to youth in care of the child welfare system The group has been involved in meetings with the Minister of Children and Youth Services, focus groups, presentations to standing committees, workshops at conferences, letter writing, and much more!
Networking Regional YouthCAN Zone Groups Central, Grand River, South West, Eastern, Northern, North East We ask that each agency nominate one staff person (Youth Champion) to represent YouthCAN and 2-3 youth (Youth Leaders) ensures adequate support and involvement Five Criteria for Regional Activities: Must involve majority of agencies within the zone Include a learning/skill development component Activities must be youth-oriented and involve Youth Leaders in planning Not something that individual agencies are already doing Should be fun!!
Regional YouthCAN Groups Youth Champions and Youth Leaders work together in this model. Youth are able to work with adults in a new and equitable way and build partnerships. What do youth get out of it? Chance to be with others who may share similar experiences Develop peer relationships that may last beyond aging out Learn new skills New experiences Establish meaningful youth-adult partnerships
What is Effective Advocacy? Advocacy means influencing change, supporting voices to be heard. Effective advocacy needs: FOCUS! On 3 5 key issues Clear statement of the problem Complete and reliable information and facts Eeffective plan for communicating ACCESS Credible voices which can illustrate the problem and the solution FOLLOW-UP
Guiding Principles RESPECT Youth and Adults bring essential things to the partnership You need partners who: Know the issues and what s important defining the change Know how the system works and who influences and makes decisions
Youth Partners Youth bring life experience and can tell what are the most important issues: Credible voices Practical ideas Youth networks Passion, energy, commitment
Roles for Adult Partners They help with preparation: fact finding and collecting information (facts and data) Finding focus They facilitate the advocacy by guiding: who are the decision makers and who influences decision makers what opportunities exist and when how to get meetings, how to prepare They provide concrete support: transportation, accommodation, expenses They DON T speak for youth, and often don t participate in the dialogue They DO help with follow-up Passion, energy, commitment
Youth Partners Facilitate youth input to advocacy through: Identifying other youth through networks Developing flexible plans for other youth to be involved Defining the questions Hosting the on-line groups to provide answers (face-toface, on-line surveys, Facebook, etc).
Effective Advocacy Examples: Increased Educational Supports for Crown Wards/Former Crown Wards What YPAAG asked for? Meet us half way! Pay for half of our tuition Waive the post-secondary application fee $500 book allowance Achievements: Up to half of tuition grant for Crown Wards, former Crown Wards and adoptees Reimbursement of College/University application fee Book grant
Increased Financial Supports What YPPAG asked for? Adequate ECM rates (age 18-21), above the provincial average; possibly to match foster care per diems Annual cost of living adjustment Same rate paid to ECM youth and youth on Independent Living (under 18 years) Additional funds for recreational, clothing, medical and dental, transportation Help with first and last month rent Achievements: The average ECM rate has risen from $720 per month two years ago to over $820 currently, some zones now matching foster rates Many agencies adding a cost of living increase to their ECM rates All CASs provide medical and dental to age 21 Some agencies extend the recreation and clothing allowances to youth who are on ECM Some CASs provide first and last month rent
Emotional Support to Youth who are Leaving Their Care Including, but not Limited, to Peer Support What YPAAG asked for? Ensuring the caseloads of clients for staff are low (currently YPAAG recommends an average ratio of 1:14 (worker:youth) to ensure more time is spent with youth At least a once-a-month, face to face contact with youth 24-hour crisis line that youth can use even a year after leaving care An open-door policy that youth can call their former worker after they have left care. Designated youth space at every agency Achievements: All CASs report monthly contact with youth More and more agencies are creating youth rooms and youth-friendly space in their buildings Many agencies are recognizing the need for more support as youth prepare to transition out of care and are hiring additional staff to work specifically with these youth
Change the ages of eligibility for youth to receive care from Children s Aid Societies What YPAAG asked for? Families don t have an expiry date! Extend the age of ECM eligibility from 21 to 25 Change age of child protection from 16 to 18 years of age Make staying in the foster home beyond 18 an option and continue to pay the foster parents the per diem Achievements: Some agencies have made the commitment to support their youth until the age of 25. Some will receive full ECM, others medical and dental, educational or emotional support. These leading agencies will pave the way for more changes within the system Agencies are finding creative and innovative ways to better support youth beyond the age of 21 and help to ensure their success later on in life
Health What YPAAG asked for? Ensure that all youth in care receive maximum dental and medical care Ensure full medical and dental check-up upon youth s discharge from care, including ECM Ensure access to mental health and/or counseling services Ensure that all medical and dental benefits are communicated with youth using different methods: one on one contact, newsletters, pamphlets, youth groups, and plans of care. Extend benefits until age 25 if the youth is in school (like what happens in many families) Provide access to mental health services beyond 18; youth are just beginning to deal with a lot of the trauma they have experienced in their childhood! Achievements: All agencies in the province do provide extended health and dental benefits to all youth until age 21 Some agencies are covering the costs of mental health services for youth over the age of 18
How Are We Successful? Support from adults (OACAS) i.e. Media release, publications, surveys, reports, follow-up with member agencies, government bodies Youth Program Coordinators maintaining relationships with different Ministries staff, agency Youth Champions and others YPAAG watching and providing feedback and presenting each year