On October 12 & 13, 2023, the International Transitions from Child Protection Symposium was held in Richmond, BC. This two-day Symposium united individuals connected to the child welfare and youth homelessness sectors, including decision-makers, researchers, policymakers, service providers, and first-voice advocates speaking with lived experience of the child welfare system, homelessness, or both.
The Symposium intended to facilitate cross-sectoral dialogue, providing an opportunity to identify promising practices and opportunities for action, ensuring successful transitions to adulthood, preventing youth homelessness, and fostering positive life outcomes for youth in and from care.
Download the summary document for a high-level reflection on the Symposium's purpose and key takeaways.
Presentations
- Day 1 Morning Keynote (PDF)
Stephen Gaetz, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Equitable Standards Panel
-
An Accountability Framework For Equitable Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care in Canada The Equitable Standards & Evaluation Model (PDF)
Child Welfare League of Canada
Research Panel
- Aging out of Government Care (PDF)
Janice Victor, University of Lethbridge - Research Panel Presentation (PDF)
Varda Mann-Feder, Concordia University - Research at the Intersections of Child Welfare and Homelessness (PDF)
Naomi Nichols, Trent University Research for Social Change Lab
Practice Panel
- Holistic System of Care (PDF)
Trellis Society - Building Connections: A Youth Housing Connections Project (PDF)
StepStones for Youth - Housing First for Youth in Practice (PDF)
Focus Ireland - Family and Natural Supports (PDF)
Covenant House
Policy Panel
- Youth and Young Adult Transitions (PDF)
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development - Transforming Child Welfare in New Brunswick (PDF)
Government of New Brunswick - Pour le passage à la vie adulte : Programme qualification des jeunes (PDF)
Government of Quebec - Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP) Youth in Transition Branch (PDF)
Government of Alberta Children & Family Services
Further Reading
- Report: International Transitions from Child Protection Symposium - Pre-Read Document
- Blog: Youth Reflections from the International Transitions from the Child Protection Symposium: “Nothing about us without us.”
The Symposium was co-hosted by A Way Home Canada and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and sponsored by the Home Depot Canada Foundation and Porticus. This project was also funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.