Close X
Monday, November 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Young Adults Out Of Foster Care Get $7.7-Million Funding Boost From B.C. Government

The Canadian Press, 26 Feb, 2018 12:06 PM
  • Young Adults Out Of Foster Care Get $7.7-Million Funding Boost From B.C. Government
VANCOUVER — The B.C. government says it's giving a financial break to young adults who have spent time in its care.
 
 
Those young adults will now get more support for rent, child care and health care, while they go back to school or attend a rehabilitation, vocational or approved life skills program.
 
 
The changes come as part of a $7.7-million expansion of the Agreements with Young Adults program and they take effect April 1.
 
 
As part of the expansion, the upper age limit for young adults who want to be part of the program has been raised by one year to 27 years old.
 
 
The needs-based monthly support rate has also been raised by up to $250 to a new maximum of $1,250.
 
 
The provincial government said financial support is now available year round, instead of the previous eight-month limit, so young people can continue to receive supports while on summer holiday or other program breaks.
 
 
"Parents recognize that — with today's cost of living — young adults need time to figure out their path and steady support to get where they want to go," said Children and Family Development Minister Katrine Conroy in a statement.
 
 
"That's especially true for children and youth in government care, and it's why we're increasing financial support, making our programs more flexible and keeping the door open longer to help them access the right supports when they're ready."
 
 
Since 2008, 2,880 young adults have participated in the program. Anyone who is 19 to 27 and has been in foster care or had a youth agreement with the government is eligible to apply through the program for help with living expenses, including food, housing, babysitting, health care and transportation.
 
 
The program complements the tuition waiver program gives young people who were in government care access to free tuition and mandatory fees at all 25 public post-secondary institutions in the province. The NDP's budget, released last week, also includes $2 million annually to support the program.
 
 
In fall 2017, 229 former youth in care had tuition and mandatory fees waived, compared with 189 youth in the previous year.

MORE National ARTICLES

Minister Says Greyhound's Decision To Cut, Reduce Routes In B.C. ‘Unfortunate'

Minister Says Greyhound's Decision To Cut, Reduce Routes In B.C. ‘Unfortunate'
Greyhound Canada will eliminate or reduce routes in northern British Columbia, the Interior and Vancouver Island amid financial losses and a steep drop in passengers. 

Minister Says Greyhound's Decision To Cut, Reduce Routes In B.C. ‘Unfortunate'

Boy Fascinated With Garbage Trucks Gets One Of His Own From Sanitation Crew

Boy Fascinated With Garbage Trucks Gets One Of His Own From Sanitation Crew
EASTERN PASSAGE, N.S. — A Nova Scotia boy who every week waits wide-eyed for the local garbage truck now has a truck of his own — just on a slightly smaller scale.

Boy Fascinated With Garbage Trucks Gets One Of His Own From Sanitation Crew

State Of Emergency Remains In Place After Brantford, Ont., Flooding

A southwestern Ontario community remains under a state of emergency after flooding from a swollen river forced thousands of residents from their homes.

State Of Emergency Remains In Place After Brantford, Ont., Flooding

Child Porn Racket On WhatsApp Group Unearthed, 1 Arrested

Child Porn Racket On WhatsApp Group Unearthed, 1 Arrested
The CBI on Thursday registered a case and booked five persons on charges of uploading and circulating child pornography through a Whatsapp group that had 119 members from both India and abroad.

Child Porn Racket On WhatsApp Group Unearthed, 1 Arrested

Mixed Messages On B.C.'s Efforts To Cool The Hot Housing Market

Mixed Messages On B.C.'s Efforts To Cool The Hot Housing Market
VICTORIA — Real estate experts say the British Columbia government started to build a strong foundation for more affordable housing in Tuesday's budget, but opinion varies on the expected outcomes.

Mixed Messages On B.C.'s Efforts To Cool The Hot Housing Market

Airbnb Rentals Being Used For Alleged Human Trafficking: Toronto Police

Airbnb Rentals Being Used For Alleged Human Trafficking: Toronto Police
  Toronto police say a recent case of alleged human trafficking is the latest in a growing trend involving people using Airbnb rentals to conduct their illicit transactions.

Airbnb Rentals Being Used For Alleged Human Trafficking: Toronto Police