The listen to me project: Creating lasting changes in voice and participation for children in care through a youth-led project |
| |
| Authors: | Gissele Damiani-Taraba Iona Sky Dakota Hegler Nicholas Woolridge Blake Anderson Andrew Koster |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Brant Family and Children's Services, Brantford, Ontario, Canada;2. Family and Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County, Guelph, Ontario, Canada;3. Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Toronto, Canada |
| |
| Abstract: | In this article, we present the results from a youth-led project on the voices and participation of children in state care in Ontario, Canada. The purpose of this project was for youth to share their voice about what they wish child protection workers and agencies could do to improve their experiences within the child protection system. Many youth in care in Canada and internationally report that their voices are not heard and that they are not involved in decisions involving their care. Seven themes were extracted from this voices of youth project asking child welfare workers and agencies to listen to them] and believe them], keep them] informed and be honest, involve them] in decisions, support them], keep them] connected,; ignite their] passions, and don't give up on them]. Suggestions from the youth involved in this project are offered on ways to create true and meaningful change in child welfare. |
| |
| Keywords: | child welfare voice and participation youth in care |
|
|
