Trigger Warning: the contents of this report may contain sensitive information that could potentially trigger emotional responses in individuals who have experienced involuntary removal from their family or the forced separation of their children from their care, such as placement into foster care, group homes, residential schools, or being affected by the 60s scoop.

We strongly advise individuals to prioritize their mental well-being before delving into the contents of this report, should they decide to do so. This may involve arranging for emotional support, such as reading the report in the presence of a trusted friend, notifying someone in advance that you may require someone to talk to, or engaging in cultural practices like smudging. Several options are available, and we encourage you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

If you want or need someone to talk to we recommend the Klinic Crisis Line (24/7), Phone: (204) 786-8686, Toll-free: 1-888-322-3019

Emerging into Adulthood: Experiences and Perspectives of Former Youth in Care in Manitoba (2023)

Youth Employment Services Manitoba (YES Manitoba) is launching a new report focused on the experiences of youth who have aged out of care and how prepared they were as they transitioned to adulthood. Emerging into Adulthood: Experiences and Perspectives of Former Youth in Care in Manitoba presents the results from a survey of over 100 former youth in care that aimed to determine if they were adequately prepared to succeed in adulthood. The report highlights significant shortfalls when it comes to the skills, knowledge, and tools youth had in areas such as finances, housing, employment, and education.  

The report points to the complexity of how the CFS system is designed, the lack of transparent information about what youth can expect to learn before aging out of the system, and a lack of emphasis on ensuring they have positive adults they can lean on as they transition into adulthood. The report also demonstrates what does work well, such as case workers who show compassion for their clients, foster parents who continue to provide support well after the service agreement ends, Tuition Waivers, and programs focused on life skills, culture, and building relationships.  In Manitoba, there are 10, 000 children and youth under the protection of Child and Family Services (CFS), and many of them are required by law to be independent on their 18th birthday, whether they are ready or not. There is an urgent need to implement equitable standards for youth transitioning out of the foster care system to ensure that they are being set up for success.

Learn more about the research by reading the report (opens in new window)

For more information contact Erika Seidler, Executive Director, Youth Employment Services Manitoba at 204.987.8665 or eseidler@yesmb.ca  

Adult Readiness and Aging Out of Child & Family Services Care in Manitoba (2022)

Literature Review regarding youth transitions, youth exiting foster care, adult readiness, and successful transitions, with information on the innovations or challenges as a means to help inform decisions when implementing additional assessments, research, or programming to support youth transitioning out of government care in Manitoba.

Learn more about the literature review by reading the report (opens in a new window)

For more information contact Erika Seidler, Executive Director, Youth Employment Services Manitoba at 204.987.8665 or eseidler@yesmb.ca