Submitted. Children and Youth In Care Day logo
This is Children and Youth in Care Day and Tikinagan Child and Family Services is raising awareness about the importance of caring for kids.
Officials say the more people understand the unique lived-experiences, the more likely children and youth in and from care will get the supports they need to reach their full potential.
Tikinagan Executive Director Thelma Morris says they recognize the importance of this day and honour the strength, bravery, and resilience shown by youth in the face of difficult times.
Morris adds she hopes this day will remove the negative views about children in and from care by increasing public awareness and understanding.
She says this is a time to celebrate the success of children and youth in care who have connections to the 30 First Nation communities in the northwest.
There are roughly 12,000 children and youth in care in Ontario and each year, 800-1,000 individuals “age out” and leave the care of the Ontario child welfare system.
As part of the campaign, Tikinagan is launching a new mental health initiative called ‘Take5’.
It’s an interactive online portal that focuses on reducing mental health risk and isolation for children and youth in care during the COVID pandemic and beyond.
It includes information, resources, multimedia content, live workshops, and events for caregivers, children, and youth of all ages.
