Child welfare services for older youth

As of January 1 2018, 16 and 17 year olds in Ontario are finally eligible to receive protection services from Children’s Aid Societies (CASs).

The child welfare sector advocated for this important change for decades. OACAS, in collaboration with CASs, provided submissions, briefings, and presentations to the government that outlined insights and recommendations in support of raising the age of protection so that youth are protected up to the age of 18.

The increase in the age of protection is the result of the new Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), which in of itself is a product of Bill 89 and the culmination of a mandatory legislative review of child and family services legislation that the Minister of Children and Youth Services must undertake every five years. 

On June 1 2017, Bill 89 received royal assent in the Ontario Legislature. The CYFSA came into force on April 30 2018 (with amendments pertaining to the delivery of protection services for 16 and 17 years olds coming into effect on January 1 2018).

Under the CYFSA, 16 and 17 year olds will engage with Children’s Aid Societies on a strictly voluntary basis. The Ontario child welfare sector recognizes that additional service approaches may also be required to serve and work effectively with this new age group.