Information for Children & Youth
Youth Initiatives
Through its agencies, the General Authority offers and promotes initiatives that provide children and young adults, currently or previously in the care of a Manitoba child and family services agency, opportunities to achieve goals and realize success in adulthood.
General Authority College Fund and Post-Secondary Bursary Fund
The GA College Fund pays up to the full cost of tuition as well as related costs for youth and young adults attending technical/vocational training or college.
The GA Post-Secondary Bursary is intended to provide financial support to youth or young adults pursuing post-secondary studies at a recognized university or college in Manitoba. To be eligible for a bursary, similar to the College Fund, the agency must be already supporting or plan to support the applicant through an AYA or the Support for Young Adults program (Social Services Administration Act). The youth or young adult must be accepted into a program at a recognized university or college.
*Students receiving a Manitoba tuition waiver are not eligible for either the College or Bursary Fund.
For more information click here.
Agreements with Young Adults or AYAs (for young adults 18-21 years old). These are requests by young adults for support beyond the age of majority to realize goals as part of a successful transition to adulthood. By law, the General Authority is responsible for the review and approval of AYAs and maintenance and continuations of care and maintenance for permanent wards who require support beyond the age of majority (age 18). A growing body of research suggests that maintaining agency support for youth beyond the age of majority and addressing key areas including education, housing, life skills and an ongoing support network yields better outcomes in adulthood.
We also support Age of Majority Celebrations, offered by CFS agencies to youth in care. These celebrations are for all youth in care who turn 18 to mark this significant milestone in each young person’s life.
Voices, Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network, also provides programming and services for youth in care including peer mentoring, outreach services, leadership programs, scholarships, and opportunities to have a voice in Manitoba’s CFS system.
Access to tuition waiver programs and other financial resources for post-secondary study. There are various supports for young people heading into post-secondary programs, including tuition waivers, scholarships, and other resources to help support youth and young adults during and beyond their transition from CFS care.
Scholarships and Grants
The General Authority supports children and young people prior to their transition to young adulthood. Among the many supports available for achieving education and attaining goals are tuition waivers.
For all scholarships and awards information, speak to your worker first. If your worker needs more information, please call 204-984-9360 and ask to speak with the scholarships and awards specialist at the GA.
Vision Catcher’s Award
This fund was established to assist youth (16-21 years old) in the care of a General Authority agency to develop their strengths, maximize their potential and pursue their career aspirations. Eligible applicants include those:
- Attending a recognized university, college, technical or vocational school
- Participating in an art/theatre/music program or spiritual activity; or playing for a sports team
- Indicating how the award will facilitate their successful transition into adulthood and assist to maximize their potential, develop strengths and/or enhance their talent/skill to further their career goals
Agencies determine the selection process and amount to be awarded per successful applicant. Please contact your worker for more information.
LE FONDS VISION CATCHER
Le fonds Vision Catcher a été créé pour aider les jeunes confiés à un office à développer leurs points forts, maximiser leur potentiel et poursuivre leurs aspirations professionnelles. Ce fonds est dédié aux jeunes entre 16 et 21 ans actuellement confiés à un office ou bénéficiant d’une prolongation de leurs soins afin de parfaire leur compétence ou talent particulier et faciliter la réalisation de leurs objectifs. Cette somme peut être utilisée pour : des études spécialisées à l’école secondaire, l’achat de fournitures nécessaires pour exercer une profession, de l’aide à la recherche d’emploi, la poursuite d’études post-secondaires, participer à une formation technique ou un programme d’apprentissage.
General Authority and the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
The General Authority partners with the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAF), which provides funding for programming and awards for children and youth across Canada. The General Authority, in partnership with the CAF, assists children and youth receiving services from agencies with funds to support school-related expenses, enrichment activities and to assist children coming into care. Funding to the General Authority is generously provided by donations from CIBC and the Ted and Loretta Rogers Foundation.
More information is available on the CAF Website
LA RÉGIE GÉNÉRALE ET LA FONDATION POUR L’AIDE À L’ENFANCE DU CANADA
La Régie générale a établi un partenariat avec la Fondation pour l’aide à l’enfance du Canada (FAE), qui finance des programmes et des récompenses pour les enfants et les jeunes partout au Canada. La Régie générale, en collaboration avec la FAE, apporte son aide aux enfants et aux jeunes bénéficiant de services offerts par un office / une région en leur donnant des fonds destinés à couvrir les frais liés aux études, aux activités d’enrichissement et pour aider les enfants confiés à un office. Le financement de la Régie générale est le fruit de la générosité de la CIBC, la Scotiabank et la Ted and Loretta Rogers Foundation.
Pour plus de renseignements, visitez le site Web de la FAE : www.cafdn.org.
Ted and Loretta Rogers Comfort Care Transition Program
The Comfort Care program helps children and youth who are coming into care by providing them with backpacks containing foundational, age-appropriate essentials. All children and youths receive a teddy bear and a blanket. Additional funding is available in order to personalize the “comfort kits” depending on need for each child or youth.
LE PROGRAMME DE KITS DE RÉCONFORT POUR LES FAMILLES D’ACCUEIL
TED AND LORETTA ROGERS
Le programme de kits de réconfort pour les familles d’accueil Ted et Loretta Rogers aide les enfants et les jeunes confiés à un office en leur fournissant un sac à dos rempli d’articles et de fournitures adaptés à leur âge. Un financement supplémentaire est offert pour personnaliser les “kits de réconfort” selon les besoins de chaque enfant ou jeune. L’objectif de ce programme est de réduire le traumatisme associé au fait d’être confié à un office. Il existe d’autres fonds pour ajouter d’autres articles dans ces sacs à dos.
Les travailleurs et superviseurs peuvent envoyer directement un courriel à l’adresse Thomas.Ens@gov.mb.ca pour obtenir plus de renseignements au sujet de ce programme et pour toute demande de financement.
CIBC Miracle Fund
This fund assists children and youth with exploring enrichment activities to enhance their physical, mental, social and developmental well-being. Activities include arts/cultural lessons, music lessons, summer camp, including camps for children with disabilities, sports/recreation activities and travel costs associated with events such as band or school trips.
LE MIRACLE FUND CIBC
Ce fonds aide les enfants et les jeunes à découvrir des activités enrichissantes pour améliorer leur bien-être physique, mental, social ainsi qu’au niveau du développement. Parmi ces activités, il y a des cours d’arts / culturels, des cours de musique, un camp d’été, y compris des camps pour les enfants handicapés, des activités sportives / récréatives et les frais de déplacement associés aux événements comme les voyages scolaires. Les demandes pour ce fonds peuvent être soumises à n’importe quel moment de l’année et sont approuvées selon le principe du premier arrivé premier servi. La subvention peut s’élever jusqu’à 400 $ par année, par enfant / jeune.
Ignite the Spark
Ignite the Spark fund is intended to provide enrichment opportunities for vulnerable children and youth. Specifically the fund will pay for at-risk children and youth to sign up for sports and athletics, recreation, arts and cultural programs they would not otherwise have the opportunity to explore. The philosophy of the fund supports the idea that being good at something can be the spark to build a child’s self-confidence and help build a brighter future.
IGNITE THE SPARK
Le fonds Ignite the Spark a pour objectif de permettre aux enfants et jeunes vulnérables de participer à des programmes d’enrichissement. Plus spécifiquement, le fonds aide à couvrir les frais d’inscription des enfants et jeunes à risque à des programmes sportifs, récréatifs, artistiques et culturels qu’ils n’auraient autrement pas eu la chance de découvrir. La philosophie du fonds repose sur l’idée que le fait d’être bon dans quelque chose peut être l’étincelle permettant à l’enfant de gagner en confiance et se créer un avenir meilleur.
Les subventions sont approuvées sur le principe d’une seule demande pour les programmes d’enrichissement, et chaque enfant et travailleur est encouragé à resoumettre une demande de financement si l’enfant continue à participer au même programme dans les années à venir.
Futures Forward / Tuition Waivers Programs
A number of post-secondary institutions in Manitoba provide free education for youth in care. Please see the Futures Forward Scholarship Guide for more information. The Futures Forward program brings together a network of community partners to provide assistance to youth and young adults (ages 15 to 29) from all child and family agencies and service regions in preparing for, or continuing their transition from, the CFS system to independence and adulthood. With the goal of improving outcomes for young adults previously in care, Futures Forward provides a number of supports and services related to money management, employment and education, counselling and emotional support, mentorship, and navigating complex service systems. For more information on Futures Forward, please contact the youth service navigator at 204-982-6126 or visit their Futures Forward website.
Tuition Waivers Information Sessions are being held from January 2024 to March 2024. See this link for more information.
Child & Youth Resources
Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth
Tracia’s Trust
https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
https://www.protectchildren.ca/en/
VOICES – Manitoba’s Youth In Care Network
Futures Forward
Kids Help Phone
Toba Centre
Rainbow Resource Centre
https://rainbowresourcecentre.org
Cybertip (report online sexual exploitation of children)
Questions and Concerns
Questions & Concerns
If you have questions or concerns, the following resources may help.
- Voices: Manitoba’s Youth In Care Network. This organization provides support, encouragement, and advocacy to young people in and from care in Manitoba. They can be contacted at 204-982-4956 or by email at info@voices.mb.ca
- The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth. At any time you have a question or a concern, you may contact the The Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth.The Advocate’s job is to assist children and young people in Manitoba with concerns about their rights or about decisions being made about their lives. You can visit the office in person in Winnipeg or Thompson, or call 1-800-263-7146 or email info@manitobaadvocate.ca
Child in Care Concerns
If you have a concern about your care, there are a number of ways you can ensure that your voice is heard and that positive changes can be made. Child and Family Services will make every effort to help you resolve the issue.
- The first step is to speak with your individual case worker if you have concerns or questions. If the issue is not solved at that point, you can ask to speak with the CFS supervisor. Often, problems can be worked out with your case worker and/or their supervisor.
- If the matter is still not satisfactorily addressed after you speak with both your case worker and supervisor, you have the right to contact the person at the agency who oversees the supervisor.
- After that, you may contact the director of the agency who will work all of you to help you come to a positive solution to the problem.
- The last step in the complaint process, if all other avenues have been exhausted, is to contact the General Authority at 1-800-803-2814, or by email at generalauthority@gov.mb.ca and someone will assist you to help you resolve your concern.
Foster / Group Care Concerns
If you are a child or young person in foster care who has a complaint about your agency, your foster or kinship caregiver is required to help you make a complaint using the steps above.
If you are a child or young person in group care (i.e. group homes, treatment centres and institutions), and you have a complaint about something related to your group care, you have the right to bring the complaint to your case worker or to an adult you trust. Every group care program in Manitoba should also have a notice posted in a conspicuous place, accessible to all residents, which will outline the grievance procedure, including information on contacting the director (via the licensing specialist at 204-945-6964) and The Manitoba Advocate. The policy is available in full in the Facility Standards volume of the Child and Family Services Standards Manual: https://gov.mb.ca/fs/cfsmanual/pubs/facility_standards.pdf (Section 2.4.8).
Under both these processes, children in care have the right to express complaints or concerns about their placement, either in a foster home or a group home. Again, you may also contact The Manitoba Advocate to discuss the issue you are experiencing.