Indigenous Youth in Transition Support Program
Eligibility
Youth between the ages of 16 and 24 (inclusive) who meet the following criteria:
- Were formally in extended society care (previously referred to as Crown Ward), legal custody order under section 102 of the CYFSA, or customary care agreement immediately prior to the youth’s 18th birthday; were eligible for support under the Renewed Youth Support Policy (RYS)1 at ages 16 and/or 17, whether or not the youth actually received RYS; or were subject to an agreement under s. 37.1 of the CFSA at the time of their 18th birthday.
Service Objectives
To improve the outcomes and increase the resiliency of youth leaving the care of children’s aid societies by:
- Assisting youth in identifying goals and developing plans consistent with those goals; and
- Helping them to identify, access, and navigate adult service systems relevant to their needs, as they transition to adulthood
Service Description
The goal of the Youth-in-Transition Worker (YITW) program is to support youth in their successful transition out of the child welfare system into adulthood. YITWs will help youth to develop their goals, and will support youth to identify, access, and navigate adult service systems relevant to their specific and individualized needs in order to pursue their goals. The YITWs will also support youth to connect to existing supports and resources within their communities including, housing supports, education resources, employment services and training, life skills training (e.g. financial management, household management), health and mental health services, and legal services.
YITWs will meet with youth through person-to-person, voice-to-voice, email, text message and other interactions, which may occur in the community or neighbourhood locations or settings. YITW services are expected to be provided flexibly, at times that meet the needs of youth, and that are consistent with the identified needs and goals of youth.
YITWs work with local community agencies to both inform them of the YITW program, and also to become aware of the services available in the community to refer clients. Specifically, YITWs work closely with their local societies to ensure that eligible youth know about the YITW program, and also to establish a referral process.
YITWs will meet with youth through person-to-person, voice-to-voice, email, text message and other interactions, which may occur in the community or neighbourhood locations or settings. YITW services are expected to be provided flexibly, at times that meet the needs of youth, and that are consistent with the identified needs and goals of youth.
YITWs work with local community agencies to both inform them of the YITW program, and also to become aware of the services available in the community to refer clients. Specifically, YITWs work closely with their local societies to ensure that eligible youth know about the YITW program, and also to establish a referral process.
Program Goals
- Targeted and goal focused, based on the needs of the youth.
- Reflective of and responsive to individual needs.
- Accountable to the individual and community.
- Sensitive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of youth.
- Staffed by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of youth.
- Based on the individual's assessed needs and preferences, and the availability of individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources.
