spotlight child welfare

‘Permanent poverty until I die:’ Former foster kids left behind by B.C.’s tuition waiver program

‘Permanent poverty until I die:’ Former foster kids left behind by B.C.’s tuition waiver program

Tuition waivers are playing a pivotal role helping youth age out of care, but what about those from decades past?

 

‘You’re constantly drowning’ in cases and paperwork, says B.C. social worker

‘You’re constantly drowning’ in cases and paperwork, says B.C. social worker

An illustrated look at a day in the life of a child-protection worker in British Columbia

  • Aug 28, 2019

 

Anita Shen first attended Langara College and then the BC Institute of Technology. (Submitted by Anita Shen/Spotlight:Child Welfare)

Expanded support to help B.C. youth from care attend university still falling short

Inadequate support, limited awareness and eligibility restrictions some of the existing challenges

  • Aug 23, 2019

 

A pregnant Ronda Merrill-Parkin watches her kids — who were removed by the government in 2018 and returned in 2019 — play in Vancouver in May. (Brielle Morgan/The Discourse)

B.C. paying foster parents instead of supporting struggling families, experts say

Social work experts and parents say B.C. investing in the wrong end of the child care system

  • Jun 29, 2019
A pregnant Ronda Merrill-Parkin watches her kids — who were removed by the government in 2018 and returned in 2019 — play in Vancouver in May. (Brielle Morgan/The Discourse)
Laura Vail, KPU Director of Student Success, is helping the university launch a pilot mentorship program between former youth-in-care and faculty this Fall. (Amei-lee Laboucan/Spotlight Child Welfare)

B.C. university to offer mentorship program for former youth in care

Students using the provincial tuition waiver program will soon be able to form a community at KPU

  • Jun 15, 2019
Laura Vail, KPU Director of Student Success, is helping the university launch a pilot mentorship program between former youth-in-care and faculty this Fall. (Amei-lee Laboucan/Spotlight Child Welfare)
‘No act of reconciliation is too small,’ says B.C. advanced education minister

‘No act of reconciliation is too small,’ says B.C. advanced education minister

Support programs for Indigenous students aim to make the transition to post-secondary school easier

  • May 29, 2019
‘No act of reconciliation is too small,’ says B.C. advanced education minister
B.C. program to help foster kids enter adulthood a mixed bag of experiences

B.C. program to help foster kids enter adulthood a mixed bag of experiences

Advocates are calling for greater equity, and a more comprehensive process to the Agreement with Young Adults program

  • May 15, 2019
B.C. program to help foster kids enter adulthood a mixed bag of experiences
B.C.-wide tuition waiver gives former foster kids a chance at post-secondary education

B.C.-wide tuition waiver gives former foster kids a chance at post-secondary education

Free schooling, extra support services help — but should the government offer even more?

  • May 12, 2019
B.C.-wide tuition waiver gives former foster kids a chance at post-secondary education
“I look at the data and it’s crystal clear,” says social work professor Susan Strega. “People are routinely out of compliance with really important policy directives and standards.” (Andrea Kucherawy/The Discourse)

B.C. government is failing vulnerable kids and families, according to its own audits

Investigation reveals Ministry of Children and Family Development isn’t meeting critical standards

  • May 1, 2019
“I look at the data and it’s crystal clear,” says social work professor Susan Strega. “People are routinely out of compliance with really important policy directives and standards.” (Andrea Kucherawy/The Discourse)
Journalists launch ‘Spotlight: Child Welfare’ series into B.C.’s foster system

Journalists launch ‘Spotlight: Child Welfare’ series into B.C.’s foster system

Black Press Media is part of a collaboration diving into Ministry of Children and Family Development

Journalists launch ‘Spotlight: Child Welfare’ series into B.C.’s foster system