Foster care

Protesters gather outside the Kelowna Court House during the sentencing of fraudulent social worker Robert Riley Saunders. (Jacqueline Gelineau)

Unregistered social workers should not be allowed, says governing body

After a fraudulent social worker was caught stealing, the association is calling for regulations

 

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. A British Columbia coroner’s jury will begin hearing evidence today into the death of an Indigenous teenager at a group home in the Fraser Valley. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Coroner’s inquest starts into death of Cree teen who died in B.C. group home

Body of Traevon Desjarlais found in the closet of his Abbotsford group home

 

Cora Morgan, First Nations Family Advocate at The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) speaks at a news conference in Winnipeg, Monday, February 22, 2016. In recent years there has been a significant push from Indigenous leaders and child welfare advocates across the country to address the myriad systemic issues contributing to the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

‘The bond is broken’: Data shows Indigenous kids overrepresented in foster care

New census data says Indigenous children account for 53.8 per cent of all children in foster care

 

Former social worker Robert Riley Saunders is in court for 13 charges of fraud, theft and breach of trust (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Kelowna judge rules disgraced former social worker deprived youth

Robert Riley Saunders will be sentenced on June 22 and 23

Former social worker Robert Riley Saunders is in court for 13 charges of fraud, theft and breach of trust (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Jessica Cressey 30 years ago and today. She included the photo of her as a child in her original post as reference of what she looked like during her time in Revelstoke. (Contributed by Jessica Cressey)

B.C. woman finds long-lost foster mother 30 years later from Facebook post

Jessica Cressey reconnected with her foster mother through post on the Revelstoke Community page

Jessica Cressey 30 years ago and today. She included the photo of her as a child in her original post as reference of what she looked like during her time in Revelstoke. (Contributed by Jessica Cressey)
Advocates have long called for changes to better support youth in care. This 2018 file photo shows a protester on the steps of the B.C. Legislature calling for improved supports. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

‘A rare, incredible day’: Advocates celebrate new supports for B.C. youth in care

The province has committed $35 million to increase support for youth in care up to age 27

Advocates have long called for changes to better support youth in care. This 2018 file photo shows a protester on the steps of the B.C. Legislature calling for improved supports. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
As stories of the horrors of residential schools circulate after the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced it had located what are believed to be the remains of 215 children, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said he feels a connection with the former students. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

2 sides of the same coin: Ex-foster kids identify with residential school survivors

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says the child welfare system takes Indigenous children from their families

As stories of the horrors of residential schools circulate after the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced it had located what are believed to be the remains of 215 children, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said he feels a connection with the former students. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
NDP MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Thursday, May 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Child foster care is ‘the new residential school system,’ Nunavut MP says

Mumilaaq Qaqqaq took issue with politicians this week portraying the horrors inflicted on Indigenous children by the Canadian government as ‘historic wrongs’

NDP MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Thursday, May 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
(Black Press Media files)

Medicine gardens help Victoria’s Indigenous kids in care stay culturally connected

Traditional plants brought to the homes of Indigenous kids amid the COVID-19 pandemic

(Black Press Media files)
The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)

B.C. extends emergency supports for youth ‘aging-out’ of foster care

Youth will either be able to stay in their placements or receive financial support, Ministry says

The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)
Robert Riley Saunders. (File)

Disgraced Kelowna social worker faces another class-action lawsuit

Zackary Alphonse claims he was not informed of resources available to him upon leaving government care

Robert Riley Saunders. (File)
‘Maria’ the senior poodle will be looking for a new home if her owners don’t claim her by Jan. 4. (ROAM/Facebook)

‘Maria’ the Saanich poodle is likely seeking a new home

CRD waiting until Jan. 4 to hear back from owner

  • Dec 31, 2020
‘Maria’ the senior poodle will be looking for a new home if her owners don’t claim her by Jan. 4. (ROAM/Facebook)
Rose Ellis, 93, and her Shih Tzu, Zoey, have been clients of ElderDog Victoria since last summer. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria ElderDog program seeking more seniors, pups to support

Service helps elderly people to care for their canine companions

Rose Ellis, 93, and her Shih Tzu, Zoey, have been clients of ElderDog Victoria since last summer. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Aging out of the foster care system and losing supports can lead to youth homelessness, research suggests. (Black Press Media file photo)

Aging out of care: youth face growing risk of homelessness

Final segment of a four-part series on youth homelessness in Greater Victoria

  • Aug 30, 2020
Aging out of the foster care system and losing supports can lead to youth homelessness, research suggests. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gaps in the system: Youth cope with homelessness in Greater Victoria

Gaps in the system: Youth cope with homelessness in Greater Victoria

Four-part series will look at youth homelessness in the region

  • Aug 8, 2020
Gaps in the system: Youth cope with homelessness in Greater Victoria
Foster-care system improved following Abbotsford teen’s 2015 suicide, province says

Foster-care system improved following Abbotsford teen’s 2015 suicide, province says

Alex Gervais was placed in motel by ministry, not checked on by caregiver in 10 days prior to death

Foster-care system improved following Abbotsford teen’s 2015 suicide, province says
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