BC Gov News

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.

Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux has released the following statement in response to First Call’s 2016 BC Child Poverty Report Card, on Nov. 24, 2016:

Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux released the following statement commemorating B.C.’s Child and Youth Day on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016:

“It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. We’re not superheroes. We can’t do everything and anything. People are always willing to help if you let them.”

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.

The Province has provided $60,000 to train a group of clinicians working with high-risk children on northern Vancouver Island.

The Province and partners collectively will be investing more than $7.5 million to support youth who are at risk of substance-use and mental-health concerns with the launch of a new, Integrated Youth Services Initiative.

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.

Government is adding more than $1.2 million to enhance staffing and expand youth outreach, while working to create a new "no-questions-asked" safe housing option to better support vulnerable youth on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES).