This policy directive, under s. 42 of the Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), replaces Policy Directive CW 001-18 Continued Care and Support for Youth, dated March 20, 2018. This directive also replaces Policy Directive CW 001-22 Supporting Consistency of Care for Youth whose Care Arrangements are Scheduled to Expire During the COVID-19 Pandemic, dated September 21, 2022.

Effective date

This policy directive will come into effect on April 1, 2023. As of this date, Policy Directive CW 001-18 Continued Care and Support for Youth, dated March 20, 2018, and Policy Directive CW 001-22 Supporting Consistency of Care for Youth whose Care Arrangements are Scheduled to Expire During the COVID-19 Pandemic dated September 21, 2022, are no longer in effect.

Introduction

The intent of this policy directive is to provide direction to children’s aid societies (societies) with respect to new requirements for societies to prepare youth for successful transition from their care to adulthood, and to introduce the new Ready, Set, Go (RSG) Program and related requirements for societies.

Societies are required under section 124 of the CYFSA and Ontario Regulation 156/18 made under the CYFSA entitled “General Matters Under the Authority of the Minister” (the Regulation), to provide eligible youthfootnote 1 with continued care and supports based on their individual needs and aspirations to enable them to transition smoothly to adulthood. These supports, both financial and non-financial, were previously provided under the Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) Program. The RSG Program replaces the CCSY Program.

Furthermore, new regulatory amendments will come into effect on April 1, 2023, that require societies to provide care to youth in extended society care with a focus on better preparing them for leaving care. This directive supports the regulation and promotes early planning, promotes youth voices and youth engagement in decision-making about their long-term goals and how to achieve these goals, during the provision of care prior to the child’s 18th birthday, with a view to preparing youth for successful transition to adulthood.

Outcomes for youth in, leaving, and from the child welfare system are typically worse compared to the general Canadian youth population. Without a stable home environment and strong relationships with supportive peers, and adults, youth in, and from, care are more likely to experience a range of difficult outcomes, such as homelessness, mental health concerns, unemployment, lack of educational engagement and achievement, and involvement in the justice system.

This policy sets out a youth-centred, strengths-based program that outlines the parameters within which societies are expected to work with eligible children and youth both before and beyond their 18th birthday. Societies will provide supports and guidance that will assist youth to achieve physical and emotional well-being, acquire basic life management skills, and develop social networks that include connections to caring adults and the community while respecting a child’s identity characteristics and cultural connections.

Societies are required to offer the RSG program to all eligible youth.

The legislative requirements with respect to the RSG program are set out in s. 124 of the CYFSA and the Regulation.

Guiding principles

Transition supports and services to children and youth in, and leaving, the care of children’s aid societies will be guided by the following principles.

Transitions Planning is Care: Integral to the legislated function of children’s aid societies to “provide care for children assigned or committed to its care” is the responsibility to prepare youth for successful transition from their care. As part of performing this responsibility, societies will engage community organizations to promote comprehensive service to youth.

Individualized Planning: Evidence suggests that improved outcomes for young people leaving care are more likely to be achieved when the process is gradual, well supported, based on strong preparation and planning, with access to tailored supports to increase life skills and foster stability.

Education and Employment Pathways: Peer reviewed research demonstrates that education is one of the most important factors for future employment and other long- term positive outcomes. Workforce participation may also decrease the risk of poor outcomes. The goal of transition planning is to better ensure youth are prepared for, and working towards, the lives they want to lead when they exit care. Planning should give youth improved access to services that support them in building connections to their communities, accessing education, and finding training and employment opportunities. These additional supports will help empower youth leaving care to navigate the path to successful adulthood and financial stability.

Youth Voice: Societies will actively engage children and youth and support them to lead the planning process. This includes informing youth of their rights and opportunities to access legal supports. Children in care have experienced traumatic events and circumstances and likely separation from their families and communities. Societies will take a trauma-informed approach and make every effort to engage the child or youth in decision-making, assisting the child or youth to build on their strengths, and implement meaningful plans that are responsive to their circumstances while promoting educational and employment pathways that will contribute to successful transition. Societies will be responsible for ensuring that all children and youth have access to the full RSG program and are accountable for documenting that engagement.

Concurrent Planning: Recognizing that societies have an obligation under the CYFSA to pursue a permanency option for every child in their care, successful planning for youth leaving care should be undertaken concurrently to ensure children in care are appropriately prepared should they remain in care until the time of their 18th birthday.

Connections to Culture, Identity and Community: Transition planning is to prioritize youth’s connection to their culture and communities and to support corresponding relationships and services. Each youth is unique, and service should be responsive to the diversity and unique identity characteristics of children, youth, and families served, their cultural and linguistic needs, regional differences, and wherever possible, maintain connections to their communities. Services should also be provided from an anti- oppression and anti-racism perspective.

Culturally Appropriate Services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children and Youth: Service to First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) children and youth should be provided in a manner that recognizes their cultures, heritages, traditions, connection to their communities and the concept of the extended family. All legislative and regulatory requirements with respect to notice and consultation apply.

Requirements

Transitions Planning for Children in Care

The following requirements apply to children in extended society care. However, these requirements for transition should also be considered for application by societies and discussed with children and youth where they are:

  • In interim society care for a period of 12 consecutive months and the society anticipates that the society may bring an application for extended society care;
  • In a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) and the youth who is 16 or 17 wishes to participate in transitions planning; or
  • In a customary care agreement supervised by a society, and in consultation with each of the child’s bands and FNIM communities and the child there is agreement that planning for transitions, as outlined in this directive, is appropriate in the circumstances.

Where the society decides not to offer these supports to children in interim society care, in a VYSA, or in customary care, the society will document the reasons for this decision.

  1. Upon the child’s 13th birthday, the society is required to initiate every action and assessment record (AAR), and the plan of care process, with a transition lens applied. Each of the life dimensions will be considered from the child’s perspective and to support building on the child’s eventual readiness to successfully transition from care. These dimensions include, at a minimum:
    • Health: Considering whether there are physical, mental, emotional or developmental health issues, that require assessment and/or treatment in order for the child to be ready for successful transition.
    • Education: Considering the child’s identified goals or views about education and/or employment pathways. Considering whether there are educational assessments, supports or interventions (e.g., tutoring, careers courses, supplemental work to obtain credits) that would contribute to the child being successfully prepared for post-secondary education and/or employment pathways.
    • Identity: Considering transition supports and connections from the perspective of each unique child and their unique identity characteristics. Considering whether there are connections and supports that would contribute to a healthy formation of the child’s identity and readiness for transition. Assisting in securing appropriate identification documents (e.g., birth certificate, social insurance number, health card, photo ID, citizenship or permanent residency card, and, in addition for FNIM children, any membership or Secure Certificate of Indian Status that the child may be eligible for.) especially those that support the youth in pursuing post-secondary education or training and/or workforce participation.
    • Family and social relationships: Considering whether the child has reliable and enduring personal relationships and how to support the child in building relationships and maintaining relationships that are important to the child.
    • Emotional and behavioural development: Considering whether the necessary assessments, connections, supports and services that will prepare the child for successful transition have been initiated, and the child’s perspective on their relationships and behavioural expression.
    • Self-care skills: Considering whether the youth’s self-care skills (e.g., personal care, financial literacy, meal preparation) are appropriate to their age and developmental stage and whether there are additional supports that would contribute to the youth being successfully prepared to care for themselves.
  2. Plans of care will integrate the findings of the AAR process and incorporate the youth’s views, goals and tasks that build toward successful transitions, including but not limited to any necessary assessments, participation in programming, and educational supports.
  3. At a point following the child’s 15th birthday, and no later than three months before the child’s 16th birthday, the society will offer the child an opportunity to participate in a conference or other forum to support formal transition planning, based on the following considerations:
    • A formal alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process through a provincial ADR service may be utilized. In these situations, ADR regulatory and policy requirements apply.
      • If the child is FNIM, the society must consult with a representative chosen by each of the child’s bands and FNIM communities to determine whether an alternative dispute resolution process established by the bands and communities, or another prescribed form of ADR process could assist.
    • A culturally appropriate resource should be considered where available and meaningful for the child (e.g., Indigenous approach, African Caribbean Black model).
    • The conference will be planned in advance and the society will seek input from the child about the conference. The conference will bring together service providers and individuals who are important to the child with the child at the centre of the planning process.
    • Where the child is over 15 at the time that they are placed in extended society care, the conference will be offered as soon as possible, and no later than nine months after the Order. Youth who are not in extended care and are participating in transition planning, will be offered a conference or other forum to discuss transition planning as soon as possible after becoming eligible for transition planning under this Directive.
    • Where the youth has been offered and refused a conference, the society will make subsequent offers at the point of developing each Plan of Care or Youth Plan.
    • Follow up conferences at various junctures leading up to the child’s transition from care may be appropriate, and the frequency should be a subject of the conference. It may also be appropriate to schedule conferences for youth who are receiving transition supports through the RSG Program to continue to assist youth in transition planning.
  4. The society will document the following with respect to the conference or other forum:
    • The occasions on which the opportunity to participate in a conference or other forum was offered to the child, and the relevant details (i.e., type(s) of conference or forum offered).
    • If the child does not wish to participate in a conference or other forum, the reasons for the child’s decision, to the extent that they can be ascertained.
  5. Prior to the child’s 16th birthday, the society is required to work with the youth to complete a review of the Ready, Set, Go Guide (the Guide) provided by the ministry. The goal of the review is to:
    • Discuss nine indicators that reflect the six life dimensions, create a plan to obtain skills and experiences helpful to leaving care and afterwards, and track progress towards the child’s goals;
    • Prioritize areas of focus for the child’s plan of care; and,
    • Identify the appropriate services and individuals that the child would like to participate in the child’s plan of care process. In the case of a First Nations, Inuit or Métis child, each of the child’s Bands or FNIM Communities must be notified and invited to participate, and any culturally specific planning processes will be utilized.
  6. Once every six months, as part of the preparation for the plan of care, the society is required to review the child’s plan, using the Guide, to track the child’s progress in preparing for transition, and to identify new priorities, and the necessary services and supports for the child. This review should be completed with the child and should include the child or youth’s perspectives on their goals, activities including services and supports to achieve goals and overcome barriers, and their progress. This review process should continue after the child turns 18 if they are eligible for the RSG program until the youth exits the program or the youth’s 23rd birthday, and the process should inform the Youth Plan.
  7. If at any time during planning it becomes apparent that the child may become eligible for adult developmental services at the time of the youth’s 18th birthday, the society will address, as part of transition planning, eligibility requirements for the child to receive services from Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
  8. Prior to the child’s 18th birthday, the society will ensure the completion of the following (see checklist at Appendix A):
    • The child has been provided with identification and membership documents that have been obtained by the society.
    • The child has been prepared for transition where financial matters are concerned.
    • The child has been given the opportunity to participate in real world life experiences that inform a life skill.
    • The child has been connected with professional supports.
    • The child has been provided with an information package on current supports and services available to them when they leave care.
    • The child has been made aware that participation in a post-secondary pathway from ages 20 to their 23rd birthday can impact monthly funding adding an additional $500.

The Ready, Set, Go (RSG) Program for Youth 18-23rd Birthday

The following requirements apply to youth who are between the ages of 18 and their 23rd birthday and eligible to receive continued care and support through the RSG Program. Those eligibility requirements are set out in section 124 of CYFSA and the Regulation.

  1. A society is required to enter into an agreement with each eligible youth, to whom they will provide continued care and supports for youth through the RSG program. The society must use the standard agreement template (see Appendix B).
  2. A society is required to engage with children on an agreement prior to the expiry of their court order, customary care agreement, or Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) (e.g., 3-6 months prior to the youth’s 18th birthday). The option to enter this agreement should be the subject of transition discussions.
  3. The agreement must be signed by the youth, the society worker and approved by the local director (or designate). The society worker will provide a copy of the signed agreement to the youth, and document in the youth’s file that the youth received a copy of the signed agreement.
  4. The continuation of an agreement is not contingent on whether the youth meets their goals as stated in the Youth Plan.

Youth Plan

  1. The society worker and youth will work together to develop a Youth Plan that is based on the youth’s individual strengths, needs and goals and considers, at minimum, the nine indicators from the Guide. The society worker will advise the youth of the option to include personal and professional supports in developing the Youth Plan.
  2. The Youth Plan must include the financial and/or other supports that will be provided to the youth. The parameters for financial assistance are set out in Appendix C.
  3. The initial Youth Plan will be finalized within thirty days of the agreement being signed.
  4. The society worker and youth will meet to review progress on a quarterly basis, at minimum, and the Youth plan will be reviewed and updated, utilizing the Guide, at least once every 6 months.
  5. Each Youth Plan (initial and updated) shall be signed by the youth, society worker, and local director (or designate). The society shall provide a copy of the signed plan to the youth, and upon consent of the youth, to other participants involved in the development or implementation of the plan. For each Youth Plan, the society worker shall document in the youth’s file that the youth received a copy of the plan.
  6. The society shall prepare a closing summary for each youth at the end of his or her participation in the RSG program, which is to be included in the final Youth Plan. The closing summary shall be informed by the youth and include the youth’s status with respect to each of the nine indicators in the Guide.

Provision of Supports to Youth

  1. Provisions of supports to youth are outlined in the Regulation. For greater certainty, where an eligible youth is residing outside of Ontario and wishes to remain in an agreement, the youth will continue to receive supports, including financial supports.

Termination of Agreements

  1. Where an agreement is being terminated by the youth, notice must be given to the society. The agreement then remains in effect for a notice period of three months from the date notice was received.
  2. The society shall continue to provide the supports set out in the agreement and youth plan to the youth during the notice period. Societies shall document in the youth’s file the youth’s reason for terminating the agreement and the efforts made to locate or engage the youth prior to the termination of the agreement.
  3. Where a society ceases to provide financial supports in accordance with the Regulation, the society shall resume payment of financial support to an eligible youth when the youth resumes contact with the society.
  4. Where a youth’s caregiver is no longer receiving a targeted subsidy or financial assistance through the Stay Home for School Policy, and the youth is still eligible for continued care and supports through the RSG program, a new agreement should be developed to reflect this change.
  5. Where a youth is no longer receiving support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 or the Ontario Works Act, 1997, a new agreement should be developed to reflect this change.
  6. Where a youth has experienced a change in income and they are now be eligible for financial supports, a new agreement should be developed to reflect this change.

Dispute Resolution

  1. Each society shall ensure that its dispute resolution process addresses complaints brought forward by youth, including situations where the society is ceasing financial supports, or changing the level of financial and non-financial supports provided to a youth. Each society shall provide written information on its dispute resolution process to youth upon signing the agreement and in circumstances where the society intends to terminate the agreement with the youth, where the youth can be located.
  2. The society shall give the youth information on its complaints process when the youth signs the agreement, upon renewal of the agreement, or at any time when the youth expresses dissatisfaction with service. The society will also inform the youth of the complaint process with the Ontario Ombudsman.

Documents and Information

  1. The society shall ensure that upon signing an Agreement a youth is provided with:
    • A copy of the signed agreement;
    • A copy of the signed Stay Home for School Agreement (the agreement template is appended to the 2023 Ontario Permanency Funding Policy Guidelines), where applicable;
    • A copy of the youth’s initial and updated Youth Plans; and
    • Written information about the RSG Program including the implications to funding for participating in post-secondary pathways between ages 20 to the youth’s 23rd birthday.

Reporting

  1. The society will collect data concerning each child receiving transition supports and report aggregate data to the ministry on an annual basis as required.

Provisions to Support the Transition from the Moratorium on Youth Leaving Care

Effective April 1, 2023, this directive comes into effect and the moratorium on youth leaving care will have been lifted. The following provisions are in place to support transition.

  1. For youth who have already reached their 23rd birthday, or will do so prior to October 6, 2023, societies continue to provide transition supports until October 6, 2023. Supports for these youth will be consistent with those provided immediately prior to April 1, 2023 unless they have been receiving an amount that is less than that required by the new financial structure.
  2. Societies will continue to provide transition supports for youth who were in interim society immediately prior to the moratorium and became eligible for financial supports until their 23rd birthday.

This Policy Directive comes into effect on April 1, 2023.

Linda Chihab
Assistant Deputy Minister
Child Welfare and Protection Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Appendix A - Ready, Set, Go program checklist

Ready: Youth Life Skills

Examples of life skills for youth aged 13 to 18

The Guide will set out several possible skills that a child can develop during their time in care. The identified skills are connected to the six life dimensions laid out in regulation. For example, general life skills, financial literacy, skills that support the child’s identified goals, and life skills that are important to a child’s identity, culture, and heritage.

  • Meeting with a banker to discuss credit scores, credit cards, debt, open a bank account
  • Practicing budget in the grocery store by grocery shopping for the family
  • Practical meal preparation
  • Completed income tax return
  • Meeting with a financial planner regarding the Registered Education Savings Program (RESP) and the Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent (OCBE) Savings Program
  • Participating in advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Opportunities to practically explore music/art/hobbies/organized sport
  • A session with a career coach who takes the youth shopping for an interview outfit, co-creates/edits resume and cover letter, helps fill out online job applications
  • College/university/trades campus or workplace tour days
  • Going to a community lecture and/or at a local postsecondary institution
  • Attending a session on nutrition and grocery shopping
  • Navigating public transit (in communities where this is feasible) or visiting a car dealership
  • Support to obtain a driving licence
  • Doing another self-development course
  • Participating in a competition

Set: Child Protection Worker Accountability Checklist

The child protection worker’s responsibilities to be completed by youth’s 18th birthday

  1. Documentation and ID

    Does the youth have all of the corresponding documents?

    • Birth Certificate
    • Social Insurance Number
    • Health Card
    • Driver’s Licence (if applicable)
    • Government Issued Photo ID Card
    • Secure Certificate of Indian Status (formally known as a Certificate of Indian Status) and or any membership documents from a band or First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) community
    • Passport or Permanent Resident Card – have you guided the youth to obtain citizenship and explained the consequences of not doing so
    • A work or study permit for temporary residents
  2. Has the society supported the youth to participate in life skills and development between age 13-18 as set out in the Guide?
  3. Does the youth have financial affairs in order?
    • Opened a bank account and has contact information for their financial institution
    • Has a credit card and understands credit scores
    • Has a provider selected for income tax returns
    • Has set up Registered Education Savings Program (RESP) and the Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent (OCBE) Savings program (if applicable)
  4. Has the youth been connected to professional and community supports?
    • Has a family doctor or registered nurse
    • Has a dentist
    • Has an optometrist
    • Has a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist (if applicable)
    • Has an Elder/Knowledge Keeper (if applicable)
    • Has all referrals needed
  5. Was the youth provided with an information package on current supports and services available to them when they leave care such as:
    • The contact information of a Youth in Transition Worker/Housing Support Worker
    • Information on the Aftercare Benefits Initiative (ABI)
    • Information on how to apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
    • Information on the Living and Learning Grant (LLG)
    • Information on the Stay Home for School Program
    • Information on the Postsecondary Application Fee Reimbursement Program
    • Contact information of their Band representative, Elder or a representative of their FNIM community
    • Information about culturally appropriate resources
    • Information on how to protect their online privacy and security of their financial and personal records
    • Information on emergency service phone numbers and crisis lines
    • Information on mental health supports within the community
  6. Does the youth have their medication and understands how to manage it?
  7. Does the youth have a cell phone and computer?

Go: Pathways to School and Work

Opportunities for youth between ages 18-23

A society shall be responsible for having ongoing discussions with youth about their pathways to school and work and discussions about the youth’s identified goals as set out in the Guide.

Appendix B - Ready, Set, Go (RSG) program* - standard agreement template

This is an agreement made on the _____ day of __________, 20_____.

BETWEEN

____________________
Name of Youth (hereafter “youth”)

AND

____________________
Name of Children’s Aid Society (hereafter “society”)

for the provision of supports to be provided by the society to the youth for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months starting ____________________ and ending ____________________, unless either party terminates this agreement prior to the end date.

Eligible youth may receive RSG supports from a society for up to twelve month periods, which may be renewed up to and including the day prior to the youth’s 23rd birthday.

Ongoing Caregiver Arrangements

Please indicate if any of the below circumstances apply to the youth:

  • Youth is living with a caregiver who is receiving financial assistance under the Stay Home for School Policy (2023 Ontario Permanency Funding Policy Guidelines)
  • Youth is living with a caregiver who is receiving a targeted subsidy (2023 Ontario Permanency Funding Policy Guidelines)
  • Youth is receiving basic financial assistance under the Ontario Works Act, 1997
  • Youth is receiving income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997
  • Youth has earnings that exceed the threshold for eligibility.

The society and youth agree to the following terms:

  1. Youth Plan

    The youth and society worker will meet to finalize the Youth Plan within thirty (30) days of the start date of the RSG agreement. The youth and society worker will meet either in person or by electronic means at least once every three (3) months to discuss the Youth’s Plan.

    The continuation of this agreement is not contingent on whether the youth meets his or her goals as stated in the Youth Plan.

  2. Provision of Supports

    The society will provide the youth with financial and/or other supports as set out in the Regulation, the Youth’s Plan and in accordance with the requirements set out in the Regulation.

    A society shall not provide financial support to the youth under the following circumstances:

    1. Receiving financial assistance under the Ontario Works Act, 1997.
    2. Receiving income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997.
    3. Living with a caregiver who is receiving a targeted subsidy from a society.
    4. Living with a caregiver who is receiving financial assistance under the Stay Home for School Policy.
    5. Receiving employment income that is above the threshold established by the ministry.

    In any of these circumstances, the society must provide the youth with other non-financial supports through the RSG program.

    A society may cease providing financial supports if they have made reasonable efforts to contact the youth without success for a period of three months. Upon reengaging with the society, financial support will resume and be provided retroactively, where the youth continued to meet eligibility requirements.

    Where a youth’s caregiver is receiving financial assistance under the Stay Home for School Policy (2023 Ontario Permanency Funding Policy Guidelines), the youth and the caregiver will review and sign a Stay Home for School Agreement.

  3. Termination of Agreement

    The RSG agreement will remain in effect for the term stated above unless action is taken by the youth to terminate the agreement.

    This agreement may be terminated by the youth upon giving notice to the society. The society will continue to provide the youth with the same level of supports for a period of 3 months commencing on the date that the written notice was received by the society.

    Where a youth’s caregiver is no longer receiving a targeted subsidy or financial assistance through the Stay Home for School Policy, a new RSG agreement should be developed to reflect this change.

    Where a youth is no longer receiving support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 or the Ontario Works Act, 1997 , or where employment income is no longer above the established threshold, a new RSG agreement should be developed to reflect this change.

  4. Complaints Process

    If the youth is unable to resolve an issue with the society worker, the youth may bring forward a complaint to the society as set out in the society’s complaints process and/or the Ontario Ombudsmen per Complaint Form: Children and Youth - Ontario Ombudsman.

  5. Documents and Information

    The society will provide the youth with:

    • A copy of the signed RSG agreement;
    • A copy of the Youth Plan and any updates to the Youth Plan (if applicable);
    • Written information about the RSG program;
    • A copy of the Stay Home for School Agreement for those youth whose caregivers are receiving financial assistance under the Stay Home for School Policy (2023 Ontario Permanency Funding Policy Guidelines); and
    • Written information about the society’s complaints process.
  6. Renewal of Agreement

    The society shall offer a renewal of agreement prior to the expiry of this agreement, provided the youth remains eligible for RSG supports. This renewal is to provide that the start date of the renewed agreement immediately follows the end date of the previous agreement, and the youth remains eligible for RSG supports.

    If a youth has previously terminated an agreement or let a previous agreement expire, they may enter into a new agreement with the society provided the youth remains eligible for RSG supports.

The undersigned hereby agree to the terms outlined in this agreement:

____________________
(Signature of youth)

____________________
(Date)

____________________
(Signature of society worker)

____________________
(Date)

____________________
(Signature of local director or designate)

____________________
(Date)

Appendix C - Provision of Financial Supports to Youth who are Party to a Ready, Set, Go (RSG) Agreement

April 1, 2023

Pursuant to Policy Directive CW 003-23 Preparing Youth for Successful Transition from the Care of Children’s Aid Societies, societies shall provide financial supports under an RSG agreement, at the following rates:

  1. Where financial supports are to be provided directly to or on behalf of youth, the monthly payment to be provided is as follows:
    • Age 18 - $1800
    • Age 19 - $1500
    • Age 20 - $1000
    • Age 21 - $1000
    • Age 22 - $500
  2. Bursary for Youth Participating in a Post-Secondary Education (PSE): Youth participating in a post-secondary (PSE) program or training (Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship) may receive an additional $500/month from age 20.
  3. Income Threshold: Employment income is permitted up to an amount equivalent to working 40 hours per week at the Ontario minimum wage. When entering and renewing agreements, societies will be required to assess the youth’s employment income for the previous year prior to establishing financial supports.
  4. Where monthly payments are to be provided to enable a youth to remain with their current caregiver(s), where it is in their best interests, pursuant to the regulation made under the CYFSA entitled “General Matters Under the Authority of the Minister”, the society may provide supports to the caregiver(s) and/or to the youth. The sum total of these supports shall not be less than the monthly rates established in requirement 1.
     

    The monthly payments to caregiver(s) for this alternate arrangement are separate and distinct from the financial assistance provided to eligible caregivers under the Stay Home for School Policy and through Targeted Subsidies. Neither the caregiver(s) who are receiving a targeted subsidy, or financial assistance under the Stay Home for School Policy, nor the youth they are supporting, are eligible to receive financial supports as part of RSG.

Footnotes

  • footnote[1] Back to paragraph For the purposes of this directive, a person who is 18 or older and under the age of 23 is defined as a “youth”.