OUT OF CARE AND HOMELESS IN MANITOBA Kelly Holmes, Executive Director Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc.

Outline

1.  Background: CFS in Manitoba

2.  CFS Youth at RaY

3.  RaY’s Responses and Outcomes

Background: Aging out in Manitoba

• 10,293 Children in Care in Manitoba (March 31st, 2014) • Represents 3.6% of Manitoba’s children • 87% are Aboriginal (Inuit, Metis, Non-Status, Treaty Status)

• 20-60% of children in care are estimated to live with a developmental disability

• 17% have or are suspected of having FASD • 542 Extensions of Care in 2013-2014 • 25% Increase in Extensions of Care from 2012-2013

Manitoba Family Services and Labour Annual Report 2013-2014 Healthy Child Manitoba 2012 Report on Manitoba Children and Youth

Girls in Care • The highest proportion of children in care are females ages 13 to 17 (2012)

• 69% of all reported missing children and youth in Manitoba are girls (n=4487, 2014)

• Vulnerable to sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual assaults, physical assaults and murder in Winnipeg

• Less visible, less likely to access RaY services (63% male), more visible on Street Outreach (66% female).

Manitoba Family Services and Labour Annual Report 2013-2014 Healthy Child Manitoba 2012 Report on Manitoba Children and Youth Canada’s Missing. 2014 Fact Sheet. Government of Canada.

Youth Homelessness at RaY

•  62.9% Male

•  57.7% Aboriginal

•  56.7% reported having mental

health conditions

•  91.8% used alcohol or other

substances in the last three

months (n=180)

SYSTEMS

YOUTH

Youth Homelessness and Systems Failure

• More than half (51.5%) had been wards of CFS

•  12 average placements

• Max 54 placements

Aboriginal Youth Homelessness and CFS

63.5% of Aboriginal youth at RaY reported being wards of CFS

63,5

29,8

36,5

70,2

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Aboriginal non Aboriginal

CFS

Are we teaching kids how to be homeless? • Abuse, neglect, trauma, disability, family violence • Enter CFS Care • Abandonment, anxiety, depression • Multiple placements à lack of social/family supports • Behavioral issues à school failure •  Lack of trust in systems and people • Criminal involvement and drug use, negative attachments • Regular running away • Chronic placement breakdown • Exit CFS Care • No transitional plan

Out of Care in Manitoba Mental Health and Addictions Issues

No trust in systems/services Homeless

Dependent / Vulnerable

No Identification

NO LIFE EXPERIENCE

•  Cooking •  Navigating

Systems

•  Tenancy •  Financial

Management •  No resume /

work experience Low Literacy /

Low Self Esteem

NO PLAN

No Mentors / No Supports

Lacking skills to systems navigate or self advocate

RaY’s Programs Foster Independence

Mental Health and Addiction Supports

Basic Needs, Supplies and Resources

Street Outreach

Transitional (REST) Housing and

Permanent Housing (Supported Tenancy)

Life Skills Program

Education, Training and Supported Employment

Improved Protective Factors

Advocacy and Systems Navigation Support

Primary Health Care

Drop-In Inclusion, Engagement,

Building Trusting Relationships Systems Integration

Ideal Outcomes

On going supports and resources for addictions and

mental health as needed

Basic needs are met

Strong connection to resources

Rental History and Tenancy Skills

Able to manage relationships, self and

others

Resume, self esteem, certification, work

experience

Interdependent and Self Sufficient

Ability to self advocate appropriately with an understanding of how

systems work

Good Health

Positive peer relationships and adult supports

Resource Assistance for Youth: What we do and how it works

Youth

Mental Health and

Addictions Basic Needs/Drop In

Street Outreach

Life Skills Education

Primary Health Care

Training and Employment

Housing with supported tenancy

Systems Navigation

and Advocacy

Youth centered Strength-based Non-judgmental Harm-reduction Determinants of Health

Integrated Services Gender sensitive Culturally Competent Voluntary/Non Mandated

Why is RaY successful? CORE COMPONENTS OF RAY’S MODEL

1.  Low-barrier entry 2.  Tailoring services according

to youth’s self-determined needs and goals

3.  Integrated services, to meet the complexity of needs

4.  Trusting relationships with

youth, based on a non-judgmental, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, youth-centered approach

5.  Advocating for youth when navigating governmental systems

6.  One-stop-shop (accessibility)

CFS Exit Checklist q  Identification (SIN, birth certificates) q  High School Diploma q  Life map /exit plan q  Housing plan q  Healthy family connection q  Resume (work experience) q  Drivers Licence q  Able to cook a meal (or two) q  Tenant Rights and Responsibilities q  Support people q  Budgeting and financial management q  Bank account, with savings account

No DUMPING! Instead, thoughtful planning

• Coordinated system planning around the youth •  Family reconnect options • Community resource tours • Care is extended should a youth be in treatment or custody • Should the youth have a mental health history – a plan with supports should

follow a youth out of care • Prescriptions, • Eye glasses, dental work • System navigation 101

In Closing..

Systems integration can happen on a small scale with big impacts.

Let`s break the silos!

THANK YOU!!! The 360° Evaluation can be found online at : www.rayinc.ca Twitter: @RaYWinnipeg Facebook: facebook.com/RaYWinnipeg