The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is recruiting youth 13-18 years of age for their YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC). The recruitment launched at their February 15th YouthCAN Town Hall and will remain open until March 15th. The application link is enclosed & can also be found here.
The YPYAC is a voluntary committee made up of 12 youth from across Ontario, with 2 youth representing each of the 6 zones (Central, Eastern, Southwest, Grand River, Northern, and Northeast).
The purpose of the YPYAC is to use their youth voices to make recommendations to the Ontario child welfare sector about:
- The development and delivery of provincial programs for youth in and transitioning from the Ontario child welfare system.
- Advocacy to improve the experiences of children and youth in and from care.
The YPYAC will be supported by the Youth Services Analyst and the work of the YouthCAN Champion Network Group and Executive.
Eligible youth should:
- Be primarily between 13-18 years old (with allowance for up to 21 years of age)
- Have lived experience in the Ontario child welfare system.
- Be interested in volunteering to use their voice to make a difference.
- Have good communication skills or are interested in building those skills.
- Be able to commit to the time required for the YPYAC.
- Be willing to complete the necessary training (i.e. 3-day, virtual Youth4Change Orientation)
- Be able to work respectfully with other youth and adults in a group setting.
All submissions will be reviewed by a committee including OACAS and member agency staff and former YPYAC members.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered based on the strength of their responses and their ability to commit to the expectations of the role. OACAS seeks members who represent the wide diversity of youth in care and across the zones.
Important YPYAC Dates
| February 15th | YPYAC recruitment launched, and online submissions opened for youth to apply. |
| February 15th – March 15th | Online submissions remain open for youth applications. |
| March 15th | Online submissions close. |
| March 15th – 31st | Applications are reviewed and final decisions made about selections. |
| March 31st | All selected youth to be notified by email and/or phone and information package sent. |
| April 6th, 13th, 20th | Youth4Change Orientation Days 1-3 will be held with onboarded youth virtually. |
| May 9th* | In-person team building day in advance of Child and Youth In Care Day (CYICD) |
Honorariums are provided for those selected as YPYAC members and who regularly attend and engage in scheduled meetings.
Questions related to the application can be directed to, David Lewis-Peart, Youth Services Analyst, at dlewispeart@oacas.org or by phone 437-230-2051.
