The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) currently provides financial support, through the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) program, for former youth in care (Continuing Custody Order or Youth Agreement)between the ages of 19 and 26 to finish high school, go to college or university, or to take a rehabilitation or life-skills program. Learn more here.
Temporary Housing and Temporary Support Agreements Changes – effective April 3, 2023
MCFD is introducing additional flexibility for housing options:
AYA Expansion from 48 to 84 months – effective April 3, 2023
Dental/Optical Limit Increase – effective April 3, 2023
Provincial Tuition Waiver Program – effective August 1, 2023
StudentAid BC will improve supports for former youth in care by:
Additional Information and Resources:
SAJE (Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment) formerly Youth Transitions
Youth Transitions Housing Supports web page
Youth Transitions AYA web page
Provincial Tuition Waiver Program News Release
Youth Transitions Implementation Roadmap
You can apply to AYA if: 1. You had one of the following care statuses on your 19th birthday:
AND
2. you are doing at least one of the following:
AND
3. And are older than 19 and younger than 27 years old.
Sometimes requirements are too demanding to meet – for example, the course load requirement can be too challenging. If you need additional flexibility, connect with your social worker or See below for a list of eligible programs
When you leave care, get a letter stating your care status (Many bursaries require you to prove you were in care). If you’ve already left care, call your last social worker’s office and ask them for the letter. You might have to go into an office and show your ID to get it.
You can get money for :
To apply for AYA:
1. Fill out the application form. (If you experience issues opening the form, please email Info@agedout.com with subject line AYA form and we will send it to you in file format)
2. Drop it off at an MCFD office.
When looking for an office:
3. Wait for the AYA social worker in your area to contact you. It might take a month or so.
Anyone at an MCFD office.
When looking for an office:
You can stay on an AYA for 48 months.
Life Skills Programs Eligible for AYA-Funded Young Adults
Where | Who | What program | Contact |
Abbotsford | Archway Community Services | Stepping Stones | Lisa Hedrick –lisa.hedrick@archway.ca |
Campbell River | Laichwilthach Family Life Society | Aboriginal Life Skills Program | 250-286-3430 |
Whistler | Zero Ceiling | Work 2 Live | 604-962-5000 |
Courtenay | The John Howard Society of North Island | The Station – Supported Independent Living | 250-338-7341 |
Kelowna | New Opportunities for Women Canada Society (NOW) | The Essential Program | 250-763-3876 |
Kamloops | A Way Home Kamloops | Life Skills | Sadie Hunter: ed@awayhomekamloops.com or Madison Smith: Email:lifeskills@awayhomekamloops.com/ 236-597-0892 |
New Westminster | Aunt Leah’s Place | Branches AYA Life Skills Program | (604) 525 1204 ext. 234 |
North Vancouver | Hollyburn Family Services Society (HFSS) | Life Success Program | 604-987-8211 |
Prince George | Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) | Bridging to Employment Life Skills to Success | 250-562-3591 |
Prince George | Prince George Association for Community Living | AimHi | 250-649-3321 |
Surrey | Options Community Services (OCS) | Supported Youth Independent Housing Program | 604-418-4736 |
Vancouver | Covenant House Vancouver | Rights of Passage | 604-647-4480 |
Vancouver | Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) | Youth Housing Services | 604-951-4821 |
Vancouver | YWCA Metro Vancouver | Strive | 604-895-5791 604-202-7011 (cell) |
Vancouver Island | Prana Services Inc | Life Skill and Outreach program | Linda Foster – lfoster@saanichschools.ca |