How Youths End Up in Care
In Alberta, Ontario, and Manitoba, youth services provide care to youths between 18-29 years old and under the care of directors. The following conditions must be satisfied for youth to end up in such care provision units in these three provinces. Firstly, the youths incarcerated in society more than any other individuals are likely to end up in care units in these provinces (Henderson et al., 2017). Secondly, those youths often run away from their homes and spend time in the streets, a behavior typical to most youths in group homes. Thirdly, youths between 16 and 29 years likely to have been diagnosed or have mental health-related challenges are most likely to end up in the home care units. Finally, the youths who experience challenges during their transition towards independence either end up homeless or have higher risks of facing social challenges in their communities.
Youth Rights Available in These Provinces
In Alberta, youths between 16 and 17 years have various rights and, inclusively, a right to marry when they have parents or through permission from their guardians. In addition, courts can also allow such youths to marry when they apply. In Ontario, the youths have the right to be safe, heard, and cared for by their parents and guardians. The service providers, however, can make decisions affecting youths’ life in Ontario, which is different from other provinces. In Manitoba, a youth of 16 years and above has a right to consent to sexual activities; this age is recognized by criminal law. In addition, these youths have the legal capacity to agree without any pressure, undue influence, or manipulations to any legal sexual activity (Sherlock, 2017). The youths also have the rights to be protected, feel safe, and have rights against neglect and protection against any form of harm and abuse.
Whether Youths can Become Emancipated in These Provinces
In Alberta, emancipation does not exist since everyone below 18 years is guaranteed to have guardians or parents if they are not married or when they are in an interdependent adult relationship. This rule applies to all children and youths who have not attained 18 years. However, a youth of 18 years and below who has a child becomes his/her child’s guardian, and the parent remains their guardian. In Ontario, minors are not entitled to the application for emancipation. However, they can withdraw from their parental control, which is allowed in section 65 of the Children Law Reform. In Manitoba, a youth who has attained 16 years can apply for a declaration of emancipation with the assistance of his/her tutor, and this declaration will be in the custody of the public curator (Henderson et al., 2017). The declaration must, however, include a written request by the youth for emancipation, and the tutor must also consent to it.
Housing Options Provided to Youths
In Alberta, various organizations and service providers offer foster care to youths who have been neglected and their rights have been violated in the societies. In Ontario, a non-government body known as YSIL provides affordable housing through the subsidy, which the Canadian Mental Health Association administers. This subsidy is available to all the poor and neglected homes where these youths are found. Therefore, the housing options in Ontario offer a supportive environment where the youths can overcome mental-related problems and address their issues effectively. In Manitoba, the available housing options support youth independence and improve their relations by enabling easy transitions from youth and children’s life to adult life (Sherlock, 2017). There is foster care given to youths in Manitoba through several agencies, improving the youth’s livelihood and general welfare.
References
Henderson, J., Hawke, L., & Chaim, G. (2017). Not in employment, education or training: Mental health, substance use, and disengagement in a multi-sectoral sample of service-seeking Canadian youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 75: 138-145.
Sherlock, T. (2017). A disproportionate number of Aboriginal children in foster care. Vancouver Courier.