Equal shared parental responsibility will no longer automatically be considered to be in a child’s best interest. That’s a good thing, particularly in domestic violence situations.
A royal commission into sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities is not the way to address abuse against Aboriginal children. Indigenous-led solutions are needed.
We wanted to quantify what social factors increase a person’s chance of ending up in prison, and to use that to improve policy and reduce the harms and costs of incarceration.
Ontario’s new policy on youth leaving care comes into effect April 1. While the policy provides welcomed support for youth, there are still gaps that need to be addressed.
The new report calls for funding and support for Aboriginal community controlled organisations. They are best placed to lead reform and to make decisions about the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
We surveyed 232 foster and kinship carers who had provided care to a baby in out-of-home care sometime in the last five years. Many were not well supported to care for babies.
Children and youth in care are more likely to have experienced trauma that can affect future health. A comprehensive, trauma-informed health strategy for these children and youth is long overdue.
A case before the Supreme Court will determine whether a federal law meant to protect Native American children from being forcibly removed from their families is constitutional.
One 11-year old girl told us she knows once rent is paid, there is almost nothing left over. So she never takes school excursion notes home, in case the cost is too much.
Despite a series of federal measures requiring greater efforts to preserve family unity, many policies make life harder for people swept up in the system.
Anne Levesque, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
In the next year, public support will be needed more than ever to ensure that the spirit of the agreement is respected and translated into meaningful change for First Nations children.
Henry T. Puls, University of Missouri-Kansas City et Paul J. Chung, University of California, Los Angeles
Public investments in benefit programs could save tens of thousands of children from being victims of child abuse and have important later-life effects on child welfare and overall health.
There’s a crucial need to connect the most vulnerable people with public services in order to tackle systemic poverty and disadvantage. An integrated approach is key.
Education is a key to health, economic and social outcomes. So why don’t we make it easier for former youth in care to access post-secondary education?
Anne Levesque, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Canadians who wish to pay tribute to the children who died at Indian Residential Schools should demand the government stop fighting First Nations children in court.
Deputy Director Translational Research and Social Innovation Group at the Ingham Institute, Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University