This guide is intended as an additional support for Children's Aid Societies (CASs) and child welfare workers providing services to 16 and 17 year olds (and older youth in general).
Use the sidebar menu on the left to find information and browse supplementary resources related to different service approaches and other considerations when working with older youth.
As of January 1 2018, 16 and 17 year olds who are in need of protection are eligible to receive protection services from CASs. The change is part of the new Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), which was passed in June 2017 and 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).
All CYFSA materials, including resources from MCYS and tools for agencies, can now be accessed on the CYFSA page on the OACAS Member Site. If you are already logged into the OACAS Member Site, you can access the CYFSA page directly by clicking here. If you are not already logged into the Member Site, first visit myOACAS.org, then, after logging in, click on the CYFSA button in the Featured set of links or select CYFSA from the drop-down menu under Government & Stakeholder Relations.
This guide is intended as a supplementary resource and temporary support while OACAS, in collaboration with CASs, consults with key stakeholders, gathers information, and monitors sector services to 16 and 17 year olds in order to identify provincial best practices for working with this new age group.
This guide is not intended as an authority on social work or legal practice, nor is it meant to be representative of all perspectives in child welfare. CAS staff are encouraged to think critically when reviewing publications and other materials, and to always confirm practice and policy at their agency.