Pushed, Dropped, or Fleeing from Care: The Narratives and Adultification of Black Youth Who Have Aged out of Ontario’s Child Welfare System

Abstract

Black youth have consistently reported that when they are transitioning from out-of-home care (OOHC) into independence, they are not supported or included in decision-making, and they feel isolated and vulnerable as they face an uncertain future. Previous research has documented the ways in which Black youths’ experiences in care are characterized by unpredictability and loss, but then care ends—and they continue to struggle. For Black youth in care, this transition can be exceptionally difficult as they are contending with the additional strain of doing so within the child welfare system and larger social context characterized by a loss of community and the persistence of anti-Black racism. Presently, there are no empirical studies in Ontario that investigate Black youth’s narratives transitioning from OOHC; this manuscript seeks to fill this gap in knowledge. Employing Adultification and Anti-Black Racism Theory as theoretical frameworks, this qualitative study investigated the narratives of 27 Black youth with lived experiences navigating OOHC in Ontario’s child welfare system. This study utilized narrative inquiry as a methodological approach. Three main narratives were identified: (1) the need for finances and a financial literacy; (2) narratives of aging out and (3) the challenges of navigating funding. To better support Black youth in their transition out of care and in independent living, recommendations for policy and practice include earlier transitional support, ensuring youth have a practical understanding of financial literacy, and educating youth about resources and their rights.

Keywords:

• Black youth
• child welfare
• homelessness
• independence
• out-of-home care
• transitioning

Acknowledgments

The authors, first and foremost, would like to thank all the youth who have generously shared their stories with us. Without you, this work would not have been possible. We also would like to recognize the Rights for Children and Youth Partnership research team for supporting this study.

Notes

1 It is important to note that each Canadian province has a different age expectation for youth to transition out of care (Sansone et al., 2020): Alberta (18–22 years old); British Columbia (19–26 years old); Manitoba (18–21 years old); New Brunswick (19–24 years old); Newfoundland (19–21 years old); Northwest Territories (19–23 years old); Nova Scotia (19–21 years old); Nunavut (19–26 years old); Ontario (18–21 years old); Prince Edward Island (18–21 years old); Quebec (18 years old); Saskatchewan (18–21 years old); Yukon (19–24 years old).

2 The CCSY is an agreement between youth up to 21-years-old, who are not receiving other government funding or living with a caregiver that is receiving financial assistance for youth from a CAS, and the CAS that provides financial assistance and guidance from a child protection worker (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), n.d.). Youth are ineligible if they are receiving financial assistance under the Ontario Works Act, 1997; receiving income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997; are living with a caregiver who is receiving a targeted subsidy from a society; or are living with a caregiver who is receiving financial assistance under the Stay Home for School Policy.

3 The ABI provides health and mental health benefits for youth between 21 and 24 years old (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), n.d.)

4 A YIT worker can be provided to youth between the ages of 16-24 who need support with accessing or navigating resources (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), 2020).

5 A trap house is defined as “a place, especially an empty house, where illegal drugs are sold.” (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.)

6 ODSP is financial assistance for individuals who meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability or a member of a prescribed class. To be eligible, one must be 18 years old, be an Ontario resident, have assets no greater than the limits set out in the program, and are in financial need (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), 2022).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Partnership Grant [SSHRC Grant 895-2015-1014] and the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, Early Researcher Award [Fund number: 504539].