Purpose of the Study
The study aims to explore intergenerational relationships, lived experiences of former children and youth who aged out of the Ontario child welfare system, and child welfare policy and practices. This study is part of the current research of the International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership (ICCRP).
Research Question
“How Do Intergenerational Relationships among People with Lived Experiences in
the Ontario Child Welfare System Influence Child Welfare Policies and Practices?”
Criteria to Participate
Dr. Tara Collins (Principal Investigator) and Jessie-Lynn Cross, Research Assistance at Toronto Metropolitan University are seeking 50 participants for this study. To participate, you need to be:
- a resident of Canada;
- are 18+ years old at the time of study participation; and
- have lived experience in the Ontario child protection system for any length of time and currently living with or without financial support from child protection agencies.
Details of the Study
If you agree to volunteer in this study, you will be sent an email with brief information about the research topic, goal, and consent forms. You will have time to ask questions about the study and if you agree to participate by signing and returning the consent form, you will be forwarded the interview questions along with a list of mental health and emotional resources.
If you meet the requirements and wish to participate, you will be invited to a semi-structured virtual interview that will be no more than 60 minutes long. Your participation will involve:
- communicating with Jessie-Lynn Cross and other research assistants via email about your availability for an interview;
- disclosing personal information to demonstrate your eligibility (e.g. your age, if you are a resident of Canada or not, lived experience in the Child Welfare system of Ontario); and
- attend a one-hour virtual (audio)/phone interview and answer the study questions.
Your participation is completely voluntary. No financial compensation will be provided, but you will be provided an opportunity to engage in other ICCRP activities if you consent to future contact. Please know that there is no requirement to participate in this study. You may know our lead co-investigator or other research team members due to their extensive experiences in the child welfare system in Ontario.
If you choose not to participate, it will not impact your relationship with either of the primary investigators, Jane Kovarikova or Tara Collins; Jessie-Lyn Cross or other research assistants, your relationship with the Child Welfare Political Action Committee, or Toronto Metropolitan University. This means that your participation would have no impact on the decisions or services provided by these organizations/networks in Ontario. If you participate, your identity will not be shared with others outside of the research team. You have the right to withdraw voluntarily from participation or parts of participation at any time without providing any reasons.
The research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC) and has been reviewed and approved by the Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board Reference ID 2023-057.
If you are interested in more information about the study or would like to volunteer, please contact Jessie-Lynn Cross by email at: Jessielynncross@torontomu.ca or you can choose to contact Tara Collins by email at: tara.collins@torontomu.ca or call 416-979-5000, ext. 554563.
