Ombudsperson Report: Misinformed

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) is committed to sharing with British Columbians the actions taken in response to recommendations provided by its oversight bodies, including the Office of the Ombudsperson.

Complaint About Denial of Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) Supports, September 06, 2023

This report includes recommendations regarding:

1. compensation for the complainant,
2. review of historic files where a child/youth’s care was permanently transferred to a relative or other person known to the child/youth,
3. MCFD staff awareness of the differences among permanency options,
4. referring youth for independent legal advice,
5. the role of the Public Guardian and Trustee for transfers of custody under s.54.01 of
   the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

The ministry welcomes and appreciates this report as it offers valuable insights on strengthening supports and services for children, youth and families. When children, youth and families share their lived experience, including challenges encountered, this feedback guides and informs legislation and policy changes to improve services and supports.

The ministry continues to advance work in response to the accepted recommendations #3 and #4. In terms of recommendation #1, by law, children and youth cannot be taken into or remain in care solely to ensure their eligibility for post-majority supports.

The ministry has recognized, however, the need for all children and youth in out-of-parental home placements to have access to post-majority supports. The ministry also recognizes that some programs and services may have unintentionally motivated families to look to the in-care system for support, even if a suitable alternative was available. As a result, over the past six years a series of changes have been made including harmonizing rates for in and out of care supports and introducing the Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) program, which includes a range of new and expanded benefits and services including SAJE transition guides and navigators whose role encompasses providing timely, accurate and consistent information to youth and young adults to inform their decision-making and transition planning into adulthood.

The result is the lowest number of children in care in 40 years and the highest number of children in out of care options.

Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) supports

Every youth and young adult deserves to be supported to live a happy, healthy life and reach their goals. Youth in care have been through so much in their lives, and we are committed to doing what we can to support them. That is why we are transforming supports for youth transitioning from care. We have made important changes since this circumstance to ensure that eligible youth and young adults have access to a broader range of new and enhanced supports and services which address the systemic barriers youth and young adults in and from care may face in transitioning into adulthood.

SAJE enhancements to youth transitions services and benefits were announced under Budget 2022 and will be fully implemented by spring 2024. Expanded SAJE eligibility includes out of care placements.

The SAJE program includes a suite of supports and services for eligible youth and young adults up to 84 months or their 27th birthday, including:

• a no-limit earnings exemption for young adults,
• increased dental coverage,
• enhanced optical coverage,
• a $600-a-month rent supplement program,
• increased duration of SAJE supports from 48 to 84 months, up to the age of 27,
• flexible housing agreements,
• an unconditional income supplement at age 19, up to one’s 20th birthday,
• income supplement from 19 up to the age of 27,
• removal of age cap for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (administered by the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills),
• access to life-skills, training, counselling, and cultural benefits,
• navigators and guides who support youth and young adults in and from care with their transition planning needs.

Note - the youth in this report:

• is currently eligible for the Rent Supplement Program and the Tuition Waiver Program (funded by Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills),
• may be eligible for other Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) supports once expanded eligibility comes into effect.

More information on the SAJE program, which began implementation in 2022 and will be fully implemented in spring 2024, can be found here: SAJE (Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment) - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)