As part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) preparedness activities, we want to ensure all Foster Parents and Contracted Agency Care Providers update their information and know how to contact the Ministry during emergency events.

With the approaching flood and wildfire season, there is a potential that your community may be impacted and you may be required to evacuate to a safe location. To support our Foster Parents and Contracted Agency Care Providers during emergency events, MCFD has designated a contact number that is available and staffed around the clock, seven days a week.

Call 1-800-663-9122 as soon as it is safe to do so, if:

• You have been evacuated as a result of a flood or a wildfire.
• You have been evacuated or are in the process of evacuating and require support to seek alternative accommodation.

Additionally, to prepare in advance of the upcoming flood and wildfire season, we ask that all care providers ensure MCFD has their latest contact information, including mobile phone numbers. If you need to update your information, please call 1-800-663-9122. MCFD social workers will ensure updates are reflected in our records so that contact with the care providers for children in care can continue despite care provider location.

If you have been evacuated from your home community and require support, please contact the local MCFD office in your new area. All MCFD offices in the new area are available to provide support to caregivers.

For additional information about flooding or wildfires please refer to:

Website: http://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

Twitter: @EmergencyInfoBC

Phone: 1.888.663.5555.

Thank you for your continued commitment to children in care.

Please click on the image to download the Summer 2021 issue of FosterlineBC.

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS COVID-19 SUPPORTS

Update on MCFD Temporary Support Measures

TEMPORARY HOUSING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENTS (THSA) 

NOW AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 31, 2022

Youth in foster care, living with someone other than their parents (out of care placement or extended family program placement) or living in a community resource will be able to temporarily stay where they are past their 19th birthday.

Youth on Independent Living Agreements and Youth Agreements will continue to receive their monthly living expenses past their 19th birthday.

 AGREEMENTS WITH YOUNG ADULTS (AYA) 

CHANGES TO THE AYA PROGRAM ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

The AYA program extended temporary supports to make it easier to access life skills and rehabilitative or mental health programs. Changes include fewer participation hours, the inclusion of a new cultural learning opportunity, and the ability to participate in AYA for online programming.

 DID YOU KNOW…

 You can be on a THSA and on AYA at the same time? Connect with a worker or your community support for more details. 

If you are eligible for AYA, but cannot meet the program requirements (like the hourly requirements), talk to a worker or community support about applying for an exception. 

NEED SUPPORT? WANT TO LEARN MORE?

 Talk to someone at your local Delegated Aboriginal Agency or MCFD office or call 1-800-663-9122.

Visit the Government of BC for more resources at www.gov.bc.ca/covidyouthsupports.

Visit AgedOut.com, the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks or the Representative for Children and Youth for additional supports.

Visit the Telus Mobility for Good Program web page to see if you qualify for a free phone and 2-year data plan. 

Know your rights in care.

Reach out if you have a concern about the complaints process for children & youth receiving services from MCFD.  

Need help accessing a resource? Connect with a worker, friend or family member.