The holidays can be a fun and joyful time for families, but they can also add to stress levels, affect depression and be challenging for people with mental health or substance use issues.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth have initiated a joint review of the use of hotels to house children who are in the care of the Province.

School-age children and teens need the love and stability of a forever family, just like younger children.

A new Rapid Response Team, a review of all MCFD-involved young people living on the Downtown Eastside and a service-provider awareness campaign are part of government’s operational response to issues outlined in the Representative for Children and Youth’s report, Paige’s Story.

Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux released the following statement in response to the Representative for Children and Youth’s (RCY) latest report:

Government is strengthening services on the Downtown Eastside through a rapid response team model that will reach out to directly serve the needs and address the safety of the area’s highest-risk youth.

Minister of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Stephanie Cadieux released the following statement in response to the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union’s (BCGEU) latest report entitled Closing the Circle:

Foster families take on one of society’s most important jobs by caring for young people when their natural families are in crisis.

There are now 110 more child protection workers in B.C. communities than there were in November 2014.