JFCY supports Children and Youth in Care Day
STATEMENT Toronto, Ontario, 14 May 2014 – Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY) is pleased to recognize Ontario’s first annual Children and Youth in Care Day, and affirm our dedication to assisting youth in and leaving care. Our clinic regularly helps young people navigate the often complex web of legal and non-legal issues that come…
Child Protection: How you can help a friend in need
Daniel is fourteen years old and in grade nine. He is on his school’s junior basketball team, and practices in the mornings before school. One morning Daniel and his teammates are in the change room, suiting up for their basketball practice. They are all talking about an upcoming game against their rival school. Daniel’s friend…
Child Protection and the Law in Ontario
Image Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NfpJrte5ZSA/T2weCOwucHI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Dx_jCODQsBc/s1600/family.jpg Scenario: Rochelle is 14 years old. She lives with her mother, father, and her younger sister, Georgia. Rochelle’s father lost his job a year ago and has been struggling to get back on his feet. They are currently receiving social assistance, but the family only receives about $1200 a month. After paying their…
What is the Office of the Children’s Lawyer?
The Office of the Children’s Lawyer In this post, we look at the Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL), which is a law office in the Ministry of the Attorney General that provides legal services to children and youth who are under the age of 18 in Ontario. While they both represent children and youth…
Video: Leaving Home
Check out this new video that deals with legal issues that can arise when youth leave home. Click on the link below to learn about the legal and practical issues that Terence must consider as he decides whether to leave home and live on his own at the age of 16. To read more…
Child Abuse and the Legal Obligation to Report
Blog scenario was written by JFCY volunteer and PLE Team Member Cydney Kim, a grade 11 student at UTS. Legal info by JFCY. Ashley is a 14 year old student who has just started high school. After moving with her mom and her new step-father to another city, her school and neighborhood are both unfamiliar…
Toronto Star: Ontario should help foster kids until they turn 25
An editorial was published in the Toronto Star earlier this week about extending support for youth in the care of Children’s Aid Societies to age 25. Youth “aging out” of care is an important issue, because, at 18 or 21, many young people are not prepared or able to live independently – in fact, Canadian…
Abuse at home – how can I get help?
Maria is twelve years old. Her mother has just married Craig. Maria has a good relationship with her mom, but is becoming aware her mother could be in an unhealthy relationship. Craig swears a lot and calls her mother inappropriate words. Before the marriage, Craig had hit her mom on several occasions and her mom…
Teen Pregnancy – Part Two (non-medical decisions)
Kiran and her boyfriend Rick are fifteen years old and in grade ten. They have been dating for several months and spend most of their time together. They care about each other and trust each other very much. A few months into their relationship, Kiran and Rick felt ready to begin having a sexually intimate…
FAMILY LAW – ACCESS
Matt is nine years old. His mom and dad divorced one year ago and he has been living with his mom ever since. She has custody of Matt, who usually visits his dad once a week (“access”). Two weeks ago Matt’s mom stopped the visits. Mom wants Matt’s dad only to get access with Matt…