#TBT
In February 2013 the Minister of Children and Families pledged that she would “strengthen safe living options and life skills education for youth in care who are transitioning into adulthood.” A month later Paige was forced out of her foster care at age 19.
Paige was a 19-year-old Aboriginal girl living in Vancouver’s east side. She died of a drug overdose shortly after leaving care. By 2015, there were 150 cases of youth like Paige.
I asked then Minister Stephanie Cadieux what she was waiting for the take action to help youth like Paige, transition out of care. Action was slow.
Since last summer, your government has taken fast action to help youth, like Paige, transition out of care and into adulthood. In September 2017, our government announced that we would waive tuition for former youth in care at public post-secondary schools in the province.
We increased funding and eligibility for Agreements with Young Adults (AYA,) to provide financial support and access to wraparound services for youth transitioning out of care.
I’m proud of the work that my colleagues and I did while in opposition to hold the previous government accountable regarding youth aging out of care.
Learn more about how your government has taken action by following this link:
https://tinyurl.com/YouthInCare