Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 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

Outrage After U.S. News Report Uses Image Of Sikh Man For Terrorism Story

Outrage After U.S. News Report Uses Image Of Sikh Man For Terrorism Story
U.S. News & World Report is in trouble over the use of photo of a turban-wearing Sikh soldier that accompanied the piece headlined “How Terrorism Is Taught Around The World.” Apparently the people were not happy. 

Outrage After U.S. News Report Uses Image Of Sikh Man For Terrorism Story

After Emergency Hospitalization, Conservative MP Todd Doherty Urges Politicians To Practise Self-Car

After Emergency Hospitalization, Conservative MP Todd Doherty Urges Politicians To Practise Self-Car
A British Columbia Conservative member of Parliament says the memory of his stricken wife's face as a medical crisis nearly killed him is his motivation for a heartfelt message to his colleagues, constituents and all Canadians.

After Emergency Hospitalization, Conservative MP Todd Doherty Urges Politicians To Practise Self-Car

23-Yr-Old Kalwinder Thind Dies After Trying To Break Up Nightclub Brawl

23-Yr-Old Kalwinder Thind Dies After Trying To Break Up Nightclub Brawl
Sgt. Jason Robillard says in a news release that the fight started at the Cabana Lounge at 1159 Granville Street around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, then spilled out onto the street.

23-Yr-Old Kalwinder Thind Dies After Trying To Break Up Nightclub Brawl

B.C. Health Officials Issue Overdose Alert Following Seven Deaths

B.C. Health Officials Issue Overdose Alert Following Seven Deaths
KELOWNA, B.C. — Health officials are urging B.C. residents to take extra caution when using drugs, following a string of suspected overdose deaths.

B.C. Health Officials Issue Overdose Alert Following Seven Deaths

Police Investigate After Trailer Full Of Beer Worth $155,000 Stolen In Delta

Police Investigate After Trailer Full Of Beer Worth $155,000 Stolen In Delta
Police in Delta, B.C., are investigating the theft of a trailer full of nearly 2,600 cases of Coors Light beer.

Police Investigate After Trailer Full Of Beer Worth $155,000 Stolen In Delta

Cambodia Arrests, Charges Two Canadian Women After 'Pornographic Dance'

Cambodia Arrests, Charges Two Canadian Women After 'Pornographic Dance'
PHNOM PEHN, Cambodia — Two Canadian women arrested among several foreigners in Cambodia are facing charges of producing pornographic photos during a party near the country's famed Angkor Wat temple.

Cambodia Arrests, Charges Two Canadian Women After 'Pornographic Dance'