Former children and youth in care will receive support for their future training and educational needs through the newly established Learning Fund for Young Adults (LFYA).

The fund, buoyed by an initial government investment of $250,000, will provide an alternative source of support to mirror what is available through the BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTES Grant).

Many children and youth who have had significant involvement with the B.C. child protection system would not have the opportunity for the BCTES Grant because it requires a parent, relative or guardian to open up a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) on their child's behalf. These young people will instead qualify for the LFYA, which is less restrictive and allows grant funding for the types of education and training that former children and youth in care sometimes require.

The LFYA will be administered by the Victoria Foundation. In addition to the $250,000 investment from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Government will transfer $1,200 from the BCTES program’s special account for every child or youth in care after they reach the age of six. The initial transfer will be approximately $1.5 million, followed by an estimated $500,000 per year thereafter.

To be eligible, a child must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 2007, and have been in government care for at least one year. Those young people will then be able to access the fund to support their vocational training and post-secondary pursuits after they reach the age of 17. The first disbursements from the fund will begin in 2024.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“Children and youth who have been in government care deserve to have the same opportunities as their peers from more traditional family backgrounds. Along with this new fund, we’ve made a number of investments recently that are helping ensure more young British Columbians get a head start on realizing their dreams.”

Sandra Richardson, chief executive officer, Victoria Foundation -

“Part of the Victoria Foundation’s vision is to strengthen B.C. communities - and we believe there’s no surer way to achieve that impact than to invest in children and youth. We’re proud to be working with the ministry to help young people from care reach their full potential through the Learning Fund for Young Adults.”

Quick Facts:

• The ministry’s support for the LFYA is in addition to its $250,000 investment in the Youth Futures Education Fund, which will be available to help cover expenses beyond tuition that may be a barrier to post-secondary education for former youth in care.
• These funds complement the range of existing supports and services that help young people from care transition to independence.
• The Youth Educational Assistance Fund (YEAF) supports post-secondary education and training for former youth in care through bursaries of $5,500 per educational year, up to a maximum of four times, to assist with tuition, books and fees.
• Since the fund was created in 2002, the ministry has contributed $12.6 million to the program and more than 1,450 youth have received YEAF bursaries.
• Agreements with Young Adults provide financial assistance to youth formerly in care or on a Youth Agreement to upgrade their education or take part in a rehabilitative program.
• More than 1,950 young adults have benefited from Agreements with Young Adults since the program was established in 2008.
• On June 1, 2015, The Ministry of Children and Family Development along with the Adoptive Families Association of BC and the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks launched a new website, AgedOut.com, with resources designed to help current and former youth in care with the transition to adulthood.
• On May 29, 2015, MCFD provided $315,000 to support the establishment of a youth and young adult mentorship program that will be delivered through Covenant House Vancouver.
• On May 22, 2015, MCFD provided a further $250,000 to extend and expand the YWCA’s Strive program, which offers under-employed former youth in care between the ages of 17-24 hands-on guidance in life skills like financial literacy, time management, decision-making and problem solving that are key to living independently.
• Tuition waivers are now available at many B.C. post-secondary institutions for eligible students who have been in government care.

Learn More:

B.C. Child and Youth in Care Week: www.bcchildandyouthincareweek.com

MCFD youth programs and services: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/youth/index.htm

Youth Education Assistance Fund: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/yeaf/index.htm

Covenant House Vancouver: www.covenanthousebc.org

Agreements with Young Adults: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/youth/aya.htm

Strive: http://www.ywcavan.org/programs/employment-programs-services/employment-programs/strive

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-0543