Through its agencies and service regions, 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.

These include:

Agreements with Young Adults or AYAs (for young adults 18-21 years old). Agreements with Young Adults 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.

The General Authority also supports 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.

VISION CATCHER’S FUND

This fund was established to assist youth (16-21 years old) in the care of a General Authority agency or service region 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
This award is meant to help facilitate a young person’s successful transition into adulthood and assist to maximize their potential, develop strengths and/or enhance their talent/skill to further their career goals. Agencies and service regions determine the selection process and amount to be awarded per successful applicant.

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/service regions 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, Scotiabank and the Ted and Loretta Rogers Foundation. More information is available on the CAF
website 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.

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.

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

KEITH COOPER SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship acknowledges the late Keith Cooper, former Chief Executive Officer of Winnipeg Child and Family Services and educator, and his commitment to children in agency care as well as his interest in their further education. The Keith Cooper Scholarship, available to youth and young adults currently or previously in the care of a CFS agency in Manitoba, provides financial assistance to support the pursuit of post-secondary studies. For more information regarding these, and other scholarships and awards available to students currently or previously in the care of a CFS agency in Manitoba, please see the Futures Forward Scholarship Guide.