Place aux Ex-placés – Improving the transition to adulthood for young people placed by the DPJ
Duration of the project: 2024-2026
Since 2021, the Quebec programming of the International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) has contributed to fostering an enriching and rights-respecting environment for children under the care of Quebec’s Youth Protection Services (DPJ).
The "Place aux Ex-placés" project is part of this programming and aims to improve the transition to adulthood for youth placed by the DPJ. In collaboration with the Collectif Ex-Placé DPJ, training sessions for professionals will be developed and delivered directly by members of the collective. Grounded in experiential knowledge and a competency-based approach, these training sessions will strengthen the skills of practitioners in supporting the transition to adulthood for youth aged 16 to 21, as recommended by the Laurent Report and amendments to the Youth Protection Act (YPA).
In 2021, nearly 40,000 youth lived in care settings in Quebec, and each year, more than 2,000 of them navigate this transition to adulthood. This critical period is often fraught with challenges and obstacles. In response, the Youth Protection Act was amended in 2022 to provide better support. The new provision requires the Director of Youth Protection (DYP) to implement a transition plan for each youth starting at the age of 16, while informing them of the support services available.
Although the Ministry of Health and Social Services has provided tools to assist with this stage, DPJ professionals have expressed a need for guidance to develop these plans in a participatory manner that respects the best interests of the youth. Studies and consultations have highlighted the importance of:
- Strengthening the skills of professionals supporting youth in care;
- Fostering genuine collaboration between former youth in care and these practitioners.
The mission of "Place aux Ex-placés" is to address this need by creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration between former youth in care and DPJ professionals. This initiative aims to promote mutual understanding, which is essential for a successful transition.
Objectives
- Foster the establishment of an enriching and rights-respecting environment for youth under the care of Youth Protection Services ;
- Empower members of the Collectif Ex-Placé DPJ by positioning them as central actors in the project and training delivery ;
- Equip professionals to better prepare youth in care for adulthood and implement approaches and practices that respect their rights.
The Three Main Stages
- Conducting an assessment of the support provided to youth transitioning to adulthood.
- Developing a training toolkit to empower youth and equip professionals working with youth in care.
- Disseminating and standardizing the toolkit across the province of Quebec.
Targets for the project
Medium-term:
- Members of the Collectif Ex-Placé DPJ become central actors in the project and professional training, while enhancing their skills ;
- Professionals are equipped to better prepare youth in care, aged 16 to 21, for the transition to adulthood, integrating rights-respecting approaches and practices.
Long-term:
- Professionals adopt changes in their attitudes and methods, improving their interventions with youth under DPJ care ;
- Youth under the Youth Protection Act have access to higher-quality services and experience their rights being respected throughout the care and transition process ;
- These children are heard, informed, and considered during their transition to adulthood ;
- Families, relatives, and communities trust the various sectors of the youth protection system.
The « Place aux Ex-placés » project is funded by the Chamandy Foundation.
- Intervention locations : Montréal
- Project duration: 2 years
- Partners :
- Collectif Ex-placé DPJ
- Highlights:
- Fields of activity and expertise :
- Capacity building
- Tools, reference manuals and standards
- Training leadership
- Child protection systems
