1. CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016 PATHWAYS TO PSE FOR FORMER CROWN WARDS COLLABORATION— COOPERATION— COMMITMENT TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

3. Crown Wards: Prevalence Ontario Children and Family Services Act (1990) – remove children: non-wards ( protection for 1 year); wards – govt. in loco parentis based on court decision In 2013-2014 approximately 7,000 children CWs in Ontario with 1000 on the path to joining them (Toronto Star, 2014) Children’s Aid Society Toronto (CAST) has as many as 2,300 children and youth that are monitored and in need of protection (Toronto Star, 2014) CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

4. Crown Wards: Risk Factors Physical or sexual abuse cases account for fewer than 25% of children and youth in care 70% of children removed from homes/families because of violence between parents or neglect which includes risks of physical harm due to lack of supervision. CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

5. Crown Wards & Marginalized Communities “Today there are three times as many Aboriginal children in care as compared to the height of the Indian residential schools” (Stega & Esquao, 2009) CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

6. Crown Wards & Marginalized Communities In 2009, 38% of the 65,000 children and youth living in out-of-home care in Canada were Aboriginal. Alarming numbers when you keep in mind that Aboriginal children constitute only 5% of children in Canada (Stega & Esquao, 2009) A 2014 CAST report reveals that 41 % of the children and youth in care were Black when Black children only make up 8 % of the children under the age of 18 in Toronto (Toronto Star, 2014 and OCAS,2009) CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

7. Crown Wards: Complex Needs Youth in care among the most vulnerable among youth “at-risk” youth in Canada In addition to effects of maltreatment & trauma youth in care face” – Family breakdown – Instability within foster placements – Multiple school placements – Academic difficulties & Special Needs of Disabilities – Economic uncertainty – Mental health challenges – Stigma – Systemic barriers e.g. related to class, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, varying abilities and disabilities – Unemployment – Homelessness ( Burnett & Goodman, 2014) CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

9. Championship Teams: Historical Overview 2007 Tri-ministry (Child & Youth Services, MoE and MTCU) initiative led by MTCU Focus on improving educational outcomes for children in care By 2011 – 21 Championship teams established on regional distribution CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

10. Championship Teams: Toronto (TCWECT) 2007 1 of the original 4 teams and has been active since its inception 4 local CAS (CAST; CCAS; JCFS; NCFS); School Boards; Post- Secondary Institutions and MCYS CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

11. TCWECT Goals Exploring barriers to successful outcomes Providing exposure activities and information sharing with educational partners Engaging youth in peer-led educational planning, campus exposure and educational programming Focus on educational success and pathways to pse CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

12. TCWECT Challenges Most Toronto CWs attend schools outside of Toronto and even outside GTA To help advocate for and address the associated challenges TCWECT has begun a process of regional engagement to better support CWs. CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

13. Barriers In The Way Of Change Within Education CGTAT Presentation: Sabra Desai, 2016

14. THANK YOU!