As part of the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, the Province is investing more than $1.5 million to continue to expand and strengthen supports for those affected by domestic violence in B.C.

More youth in care will benefit from extended supports, including life skills programs that focus on financial planning, healthy living and employability, thanks to changes to the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) program.

Enhancements to a youth-driven website, more funding for post-secondary education and more funding for programs that help with life skills/employability – these are in the spotlight during B.C. Child and Youth in Care Week as government focuses on giving young people from care a leg up in their transition to adulthood and independence.

The Province will provide an additional 88 units of transitional housing and shelter, as well as 40 rent supplements for campers currently residing at the Victoria courthouse lawns.

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.

Two new online resources are now available to families living on low incomes and to communities working with them to ensure their needs are met.

As part of its commitment under the Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, the B.C. government is investing $500,000 to increase access to transition house and safe-home services for Aboriginal women and children who are affected by domestic violence.

Starting July 3, 2014, the Ministry of Children and Family Development will begin transferring youth from Victoria to Burnaby Youth Custody Services.