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

Transcription

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

2 Outline 1. Background: CFS in Manitoba 2. CFS Youth at RaY 3. RaY s Responses and Outcomes

3 Background: Aging out in Manitoba 10,293 Children in Care in Manitoba (March 31 st, 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 % Increase in Extensions of Care from Manitoba Family Services and Labour Annual Report Healthy Child Manitoba 2012 Report on Manitoba Children and Youth

4 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 Healthy Child Manitoba 2012 Report on Manitoba Children and Youth Canada s Missing Fact Sheet. Government of Canada.

5 Youth Homelessness at RaY 62.9% Male SYSTEMS YOUTH 57.7% Aboriginal 56.7% reported having mental health conditions 91.8% used alcohol or other substances in the last three months (n=180)

6 Youth Homelessness and Systems Failure More than half (51.5%) had been wards of CFS 12 average placements Max 54 placements

7 Aboriginal Youth Homelessness and CFS 100% CFS 90% 63.5% of Aboriginal youth at RaY reported being wards of CFS 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 63,5 70,2 29,8 80% 36,5 0% Aboriginal non Aboriginal

8 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

9 Out of Care in Manitoba NO LIFE EXPERIENCE Cooking Navigating Systems No Mentors / No Supports Tenancy Financial Management No resume / work experience Homeless Dependent / Vulnerable Mental Health and Addictions Issues Low Literacy / Low Self Esteem No trust in systems/ services Lacking skills to systems navigate or self advocate No Identification NO PLAN

10 RaY s Programs Foster Independence Transitional (REST) Housing and Permanent Housing (Supported Tenancy) Life Skills Program Improved Protective Factors Mental Health and Addiction Supports Basic Needs, Supplies and Resources Primary Health Care Street Outreach Education, Training and Supported Employment Systems Integration Advocacy and Systems Navigation Support Drop-In Inclusion, Engagement, Building Trusting Relationships

11 Rental History and Tenancy Skills Ideal Outcomes Interdependent and Self Sufficient On going supports and resources for addictions and mental health as needed Able to manage relationships, self and others Good Health Resume, self esteem, certification, work experience Ability to self advocate appropriately with an understanding of how systems work Basic needs are met Strong connection to resources Positive peer relationships and adult supports

12 Resource Assistance for Youth: What we do and how it works Youth centered Strength-based Non-judgmental Harm-reduction Determinants of Health Housing with supported tenancy Systems Navigation and Advocacy Training and Employment Mental Health and Addictions Youth Primary Health Care Basic Needs/ Drop In Life Skills Education Street Outreach Integrated Services Gender sensitive Culturally Competent Voluntary/Non Mandated

13 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 nonjudgmental, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, youthcentered approach 5. Advocating for youth when navigating governmental systems 6. One-stop-shop (accessibility)

14 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

15 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

16 In Closing.. Systems integration can happen on a small scale with big impacts. Let`s break the silos!

17 THANK YOU!!! The 360 Evaluation can be found online at : Facebook: facebook.com/raywinnipeg