(Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

PROTECTING YOUTH IN CARE

A Way Home Kamloops hopes for longterm plan to follow extension of support for youth in care

Sep 22, 2020 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Youth in government care who were going to be aging out now have more time to live in their placements. The B.C government recently announced youth who will be turning 19 can remain in their living arrangements and continue to receive financial support until March 31, 2021.

A Way Home Kamloops Executive Director Katherine McParland says the extension comes as welcome relief to the organization. As part of the B.C Coalition to End Youth Homelessness, the non-profit has been advocating for supports to continue for youth in care throughout the pandemic.

“This will allow young people that critical timing so that they’re able to age out successfully and to help prevent youth homelessness,” she says. “During COVID-19, it’s very difficult and transition planning is nearly impossible, so we really need that extra time to support young people.”

With a provincial election coming up, McParland says A Way Home is hoping the B.C government will uphold the agreement, and create a plan to support a build-up of youth aging out. McParland says they anticipate there will be around 1,000 young people aging out of foster care by the end of March.

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“Through the election process we definitely do see an opportunity to provide a platform for young people that are aging out of foster care. And to ensure that this is an election promise that makes sure that young people are not aging out into homelessness. These are the most vulnerable young people in our province, and we really need government to invest in them.”

For more information and to view the full release, click here.