A Long Road Paved with Solutions: ‘Aging out’ of care reports in Canada
This summary document complied by Dr. Melanie M. Doucet highlights key recurring recommendations on ‘aging out’ of care that have been put forward by youth in and from care, advocates and researchers from across the country since the late 1980s. Since 1987,75 reports centered on youth in care and the ‘aging out’ of care process have been published across Canada, amounting to over 435 concrete recommendations for change to child protection policy and practice targeted to the transition to adulthood for youth in care.
Download
Report: Opportunities in Transition
Report demonstrates significant annual costs – up to $268 million – are associated with the adverse experiences many youth aging out of foster care at 19 encounter, while a much lower level of investment - $57 million per year – would be required to improve outcomes and reduce costs.
- Summary Report - Download
- Report 1: Educational, Economic, Social, and Wellness Outcomes - Download
- Report 2: The Costs of the Adverse Outcomes - Download
- Report 3: Opportunities for Increased Support - Download
Resource: The Provincial Election Toolkit
Fostering Change created a toolkit to help it's youth, allies and stakeholders navigate the upcoming Provincial Election on October 242020. It is non-partisan, meaning it doesn't align or encourage any political parties platforms or beliefs. We hope this provides you the tools and confidence to hold the candidates accountable to their promise of improving transition supports.
Resource: Holding Them Accountable: Chapters of Commitments
During the Provincial Election in October 2020, Fostering Change questioned the candidates on their commitments to youth transitions. We asked the following questions, and they answered us. The posted graphics are in order of response from the parties, and followed by the Chapters of Commitments from the Provincial Election are the commitments BC NDP leader and current Premier John Horgan made to our community in April 2018.
Check out the commitments here
Report: Fostering Success, Improving Educational Outcomes for Youth In/From Care
Research by University of Victoria’s School of Social Work shows that youth from foster care feel
school is their anchor, and aspire go on to post-secondary education. Identifies what helps youth from foster care successfully complete high school from the perspective of young people, educators, child welfare specialists, policy makers, and researchers.
Download the report. You can also download an annotated bibliography.
Survey: 2016 Youth Transitions Survey
Results from a public opinion survey of perceptions among British Columbians towards youth in and from government care. Research shows that 71% - of British Columbians favour the provincial government supporting young people who have aged out of foster care at age 19 with their living expenses, and much
more.
Report: 2015 Fostering Change Year in Review
Highlights of our work in 2015, the learnings we've shared, and a chance to acknowledge the many good people, organizations and efforts engaged in supporting young people as they transition from foster care to adulthood. The past 12 months has seen lots of good energy and action, great ideas come forward. People are ready for change.
Reports: Fostering Change Community Conversations May/June 2015.
Summary reports from a series of five Community Conversations held by Vancouver Foundation designed to get communities talking and learning from each other; spark new thinking from a local perspective; and identify local priorities for new granting, youth and community engagement efforts.
- Regional Report – Download
- Abbotsford Report – Download
- Coquitlam Report – Download
- North Vancouver Report – Download
- Surrey Report – Download
- Vancouver Report – Download
Survey: Perceptions on the challenges facing British Columbia youth transitioning out of government care.
Vancouver Foundation surveyed 1,820 adult British Columbians in 2013 to gain a better understanding of public attitudes, values and perceptions about youth transitioning to adulthood and more specifically, for youth aging out of government care in the province.
Workbook: Fostering Change Community Conversations
Dialogue guide used in our series of community conversations designed to get communities talking and learning from each other to identify local people, resources and connections for young people from care. Full of useful statistics, exercises, and discussion questions.
Report & Exercises: Supporting Wellness through Transitions Knowledge Exchange Forum
Summary of the discussion at our Wellness Forum to support the wellness for young people transitioning out of foster care by bringing together frontline staff working with young people to share their knowledge, expertise and questions. Includes a list of practical exercises for support workers to use, and links to other resources.
Guidebook: Fostering Change Messaging and Communications Guide
Discussion guide designed to assist service providers, funders, youth and their allies, community leaders and advocates to start conversations and build the relationships that can lead to lasting, measurable change. Includes summaries of facts, research, suggested messages, as well as ideas for engaging potentially supportive audiences.
EVERYONE ELSE’S WORK
There is, of course, much to add to this section. We look forward to hearing your suggestions for great resources to include here.
Report: McCreary Centre Society - Building social capital among youth in care
Analysis of data from the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey of over 1,000 youth who had been in government care at some point. The report highlights some of the barriers that these young people face to building and maintaining social capital.
Report: Relations Matter for Youth 'Aging Out' of Care
Relationships Matter for Youth ‘Aging Out’ of Care is a collaborative photovoice project led by Doucet, who is a former youth in care, alongside eight former youth in care between the ages of 19 and 29 from the Greater Vancouver area.
Download the report and the accompanied e-book