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