On-line resources

Indigenous Information Links

Home – Métis Nation of Ontario (metisnation.org)

SOAHAC

M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, Aboriginal Friendship Centre (mwikwedong.com)

Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario (ANCFSAO) | ANCFSAO is an association of Indigenous child and family well-being agencies mandated to build a better life for all Indigenous children through promoting the delivery of culturally-based services.

Indigenous Services Canada – Canada.ca

Are you entitled to Indian status (sac-isc.gc.ca)?

Crown Ward Education Championship Team: https://crownwardlearning.ca/

The Child Welfare League of Canada has resources for both parents and professionals at: https://www.cwlc.ca/en/projects/ppes

Visit the Positive Parenting site at the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies: https://www.oacas.org/childwelfare/positive.htm

The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada) has assembled an impressive collection of resources related to every age of child and stage of parenting: https://www.parentsmatter.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewpage&pageid=618

The Public Health Agency of Canada provides some useful advice for supporting your children through separation and divorce: https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/mh-sm/divorce/2-eng.php

Alberta Children and Youth Services offers a comprehensive guide for parents whose children have been exposed to violence in the family: https://www.child.alberta.ca/home/documents/familyviolence/doc_opfvb_booklet_child_abuse_colour.pdf

CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) Youth Criminal Law helps youth who have been accused of a committing a crime now and understand their rights: https://www.youth.cleo.on.ca/

 

Let us know if you have other resources that should be posted on this page.  Contact us.

 

Post-Secondary supports for CAS Youth

Since 2007, numerous changes have been introduced.  In addition to the community based Crown Ward Eduction Championship Teams, the following financial and service supports are now available for youth from CAS care.  Please note that in order to qualify for most benefits, youth must apply for Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP).  Also note that youth may repay the loan portion of their OSAP as soon as they receive the payment.

Application fee reimbursement for youth applying for post-secondary education – Ontario Crown Ward Post Secondary Application Fee Reimbursement Program (2007)

Tuition grants of up to 50% (for university) to 100% (for single year college) of tuition up to a maximum of $3,000 per academic year for a maximum of four years – Ontario Access Grant for Crown Wards (OAGCW) (2007).  This grant is based on financial eligibility.

Special OSAP exemptions for non-merit scholarships and bursaries for Crown Wards, up to $3,500.

OCBe savings, provided to youth 18 years old, were not intended to offset educational costs, nor are they to be treated as income or assets in applying for OSAP, up to $3000.

Universal changes to OSAP, allowing increased earnings, more financial assistance, extened repayment schedules Strengthening Student Support in Ontario (2010).  Some programs (eg. book allowance) have been scaled back to fund the tuition fee reduction announced on January 3, 2012.

Ontario Tuition Grant (OTG) or fee reduction (announced as the New 30% off tuition) effective Janaury 3, 2012, which provides tuition fee rebates to eligible students.  This 30% cannot be added to any other tuition reduction (such as the Ontario Access Grant for Crown Ward Program), however, rebates will be provided to CAS youth for the term beginning January 2012.

Extended Care and Maintenance (ECM) allowances are not treated as income for purposes of OSAP needs assessment, meaning that youth may keep full allowance and qualify for more financial assistance through OSAP. (Giving more kids a place to call home: September 2011)

Learning Living Grant of $500 per academic month for youth ages 21-25 who are registered in an OSAP eligible college or university.  This is in addition to other grants and is to assust students transitioning out of care. (Starting September 2013)

100% tuition support will be offered at participating colleges and universities through a partnership with the Ministry of College, Training and Universities (MTCU).  Combination of of OAGCW and top up by participating post-secondary institution to a combined maximum of $6000.  Visit the OSAP website for more information.

 

OTHER SUPPORTS FOR YOUTH

Legislative change to allow youth whose court-ordered care was terminated at age 16 or 17 to return to CAS for financial and non-financial and non-financial supports to age 21.  Renewed Youth Supports (RYS) (2011)

OACAS three-year pilot project funded by Green Shiled Canada for former Crown Wards, aged 21 to 23, to access Employee Assistance Plan-type benefits, delivered through Shepell FGI.  24-7 access to health and well-being, financial, legal and addiction counselling.  Crown Ward Aftercare Benefits Initiative (2010)

New Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) program came into effect May 15th and replaces Extended Care and Maintenance (ECM).  It is strength-based model.  Youth sign a CCSY Agreement and complete a “Youth Plan” also.  Youth receiving financial and other supports through CCSY is not contingent on them reaching their goals as outlined in the “Youth Plan”.  Please contact the Ministy of Children and Youth Services for more information.

Crown Ward Aftercare Benefits Program is a pilot project funded by GreenShield Canada’s Social Surplus Fund and administered by Sheppell-FGI.  the program offers counselling and other EAP type supports for youth transitioning out of care.  Youth who turned 21 in 2011 or 2012 are eligible to access the program until thier 23rd birthday.  For more information, visit https://www.oacas.org/crownward/

 

LINKS

Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent (OCBe) (2008)

  • Designed to support tutoring, skill building, recreational and cultutal programs
  • Additional Support to OCBe savings for youth in care 15 to 17 years, accessible after age 18
  • Mandatory financial literacy training

 

Ontario Access Grant for Crown Wards (2007)

For Crown Wards in post-secondary programs 2 years
Must be eligible for Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan

https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/PRDR007085.html

 

Ontario Crown Ward Post-Secondary Application Fee Reimbursement Program (2007?)

Intended to reimburse current and former Ontario Crown Wards for eligible post-secondary application fees
Not income tested; no OSAP application required

https://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/students/ocwp_faqs.html

 

Increase of the OSAP Scholarship and bursary exemption for Crown Wards

Doubling the scholarship and bursary exemption for Crown Wards from $1750 to $3500

https://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/english/breakingthecycle/report/index.aspx

“Breaking the Cycle” page 14

 

OSAP Exemption of OCBe Savings (2009)

Savings from OCBe not reported as assets or income on OSAP application
Up to $3500 of eligible bursaries/scholarships exempted from OSAP assessment

https://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/english/about/Results_2010-2011.aspx

 

Changes to OSAP (Strengthening Student Support) (2010)

Book/equipment/supply allowance adjusted for inflation
New grant for part-time students
Loan repayment enhancements
Enhancements to loans and scholarships

https://news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/2010/03/strengthening-student-support-in-ontario.html

 

Crown Ward Aftercare Benefits Initiative (2010)

OACAS three year pilot funded by Green Shield Canada for former Crown Wards, aged 21 to 23, to access Employee Assistance Plan type benefits, delivered through Sheppell FGI
Full Range of counselling services (including health and well-being, financial, legal and addiction counselling)

https://www.oacas.org/crownward/

 

OSAP and ECM Allowance (2011)

Effective 2011 – 2012 academic year, ECM allowances not treated as income in OSAP Needs Assessment

https://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/2014/02/new-supports-for-youth-leaving-care.html

https://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/english/topics/childrensaid/childrensaidsocieties/leavingcare.aspx