Celebrating BC’s Children and Youth in Care

From the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks:

Three years ago, a group of 50 Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks youth asked the Ministry of Children and Family Development for a province-wide “Youth in Care Week” to address the social stigma they experience. This week, May 20-26th, 2012, we celebrate B.C. Child and Youth in Care Week for the second year in a row. …

Year after year, Federation of B.C. Youth in Care Networks (FBCYICN) youth members have spoken up about the social stigma they confront in their everyday lives. In consultation, young people have shared aspects of the stigma they hear most, including: “foster kids are all the same—they’re all trouble;” “it’s their own fault they were taken into care;” “they come from a broken family with bad parents;” and “they’re either a drain [on society] or a rare ‘success story.’”

The youth asked for a week—the first of its kind in Canada— to celebrate youth in and from care and their incredible accomplishments, diversity and resilience, but also to call on community to stand with them in their movement as allies; or, as stated in their slogan for the week, “Notice, Listen, Respect—Stand with Youth in Care.”

“We’re just like other kids; we need the community’s help to be our best,” says FBCYICN board and youth member Jessy Auger. “Being in care means we’ve been through a lot—it makes us stronger.” …

Read the rest of the news release here and visit FBCYICN’s Facebook campaign page, “I Stand With Youth In Care.”

Check out this video from one of the flash mobs held last week!

Toronto Study Shows Importance of Breakfast for Students

A recent study entitled “Feeding our Future” by the Toronto District School Board demonstrates the importance of students eating breakfast. The two year study of 6000 students found that those who ate a proper breakfast experienced improvement in both marks and behaviour. In addition to other convincing statistical evidence, the study found that 78% of students who ate breakfast on most days were on track for graduation, compared to only 61% of students who rarely or never ate breakfast. While this study’s results may seem like common sense, the authors believe it is the first Canadian study to present evidence that learning is harder for hungry students. Lobby groups acrossCanada say they will use this study to fight for a national strategy to give all Canadian students access to free and healthy food.

For more information, read the complete study report or an article from CBC News.

Resources on the Mental Health of Homeless Youth in Canada

The Learning Community released new information on the state of Canadian homeless youth with mental health issues. Between their more comprehensive report, and snapshot, they present many striking facts. A few of them are outlined below:

• Canadian homeless youth are 2.5-5 times more likely to face mental health issues than the national average for youth.
• Around 40% of homeless youth self-identify as having mental health issues; that number increases to nearly 70% after more than four years of homelessness.
• For Canadians aged 15-24, suicide is the second highest cause of death at 24%. Suicide, overdose and unintentional injury are the leading causes of death for homeless youth. A study of homeless youth concluded that 46% of the participants had attempted suicide at some point.
• Homeless youth often fall through the cracks, as they are too old to qualify for support for children, and too young for adult services.
• Communities are experiencing difficulties in supporting these youth who require mental health programs and services. A recent study of youth serving organizations found that of the homeless youth they worked with, 54% identified as having mental health issues, and 79% were unable to find and use the needed mental health services.

Three methods and strategies to help homeless youth with mental issues were stated:

1. Homeless youth have distinct mental health needs that must be acknowledged in order to be appropriately addressed.
2. Effective planning will mean homeless youth get the supports that lead to health and recovery and away from costly emergency services.
3. The following strategies are critical in addressing the growing numbers of homeless young people with complex mental health needs, locally and nationally:

• Prevention and Early Intervention
• Age Appropriate Continuum of Supports
• Housing

West Coast LEAF’s “Separation Agreements: Your Right to Fairness”

 West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) recently published “Separation Agreements: Your Right to Fairness.” The booklet gives a general overview of the financial issues surrounding separation, including when it might be possible to apply to the courts or change a separation agreement and how to prepare a financial statement. This family law booklet is intended for anyone interested in learning more about the financial issues surrounding separation. The booklet can be downloaded at no cost on their website, or ordered in hard copy at a small cost.

Walk for Culturally Based Equity for First Nations Children

On June 11^th, the four year anniversary of the Prime Minister’s Residential School apology, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society is hosting a number of “Our Dreams Matter Too” walks acrossCanada. The walk is to demonstrate the country’s desire for culturally based equity, such as equal educational, health and child welfare funding for First Nations children compared to other Canadian children. The organizers are encouraging people to write letters of support to their MP and the Prime Minister, and walk as a group to a mail box to send off the letters.

The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society is looking for people to host walks of any scale in their own community. So far, BC walks have been organized in West Vancouver, Victoria, and Williams Lake.

Sample letters, as well as posters and information sheets can be found on their website.

Rise Against Homophobia – Youth Video Contest

Out in Schools is holding a Rise Against Homophobia short video contest for youth aged 12 – 19 across Canada. Gather your friends and create a 30-60 second public service announcement video that challenges homophobia and bullying and promotes safe and diverse communities! Find out more and submit your video before June 11, 2012.

Child Care Workforce Survey

The “You Bet We Still Care!” survey is coming at the end of May. The Child Care Human Resources Sector Council is sponsoring a survey of employers (including administrators, owners, directors, and supervisors) and employees (including ECEs and program staff) working in regulated, full-day, centre-based programs. The survey – “You Bet We Still Care!” – will be released at the end of May. Learn more about the survey here.

Responding to the survey will help to raise the profile of the ECEC profession and workforce. As a thank-you for participating, you can enter your name in a draw to win an iPad! For more information on the project and to receive e-mail notification when the survey is live, please visit the CCHRSC website to sign-up for the CCHRSC’s newsletter at www.ccsc-cssge.ca.