OACAS Archives - Fostering Community

The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) is recruiting for youth 13 – 18 years of age (and up to 21 years) for the YouthCAN Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (YPYAC). The application link is enclosed & can also be found here.
YouthCAN is also in need of some folks who would like to be a part of a small committee (made up of former YAC youth, YouthCAN Champions and other child welfare and OACAS staff) to review their YPYAC applications. If this is you, please email David Lewis-Peart directly at dlewispeart@oacas.org to confirm your interest. Reviews will take place between March 15^th – 31^st.
OACAS and Project Outsiders are set to co-host a FREE, online workshop with guest presenter Jama Maxie on Saturday March 23, 1-4PM. The workshop is entitled, InspHire Virtual Learning Session: Public Speaking Skills for Youth from Care and is open for registration for up to 30 youth between the ages of 16 and 23 years of age with lived experience in the child welfare system in Ontario. Please RSVP through the flyer above. This is filling up fast!

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 15^th YouthCAN Town Hall and will remain open until March 15^th. 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 15^th	YPYAC recruitment launched, and online submissions opened for youth to apply.
February 15^th – March 15^th	Online submissions remain open for youth applications.
March 15^th	Online submissions close.
March 15^th – 31^st	Applications are reviewed and final decisions made about selections.
March 31^st	All selected youth to be notiﬁed by email and/or phone and information package sent.
April 6^th, 13^th, 20^th	Youth4Change Orientation Days 1-3 will be held with onboarded youth virtually.
May 9^th*	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. 