According to a paper by the Child Welfare League of Canada, published
in March 2003, there are 76,183 children in out of care homes.
Relevant Excerpts:
?The National Children?s Alliance of Canada, in its desire to become more
knowledgeable about the status of children in care in Canada, commissioned the
Child Welfare League of Canada to develop an informative position paper for
dissemination to the Canadian people, organizations involved in child
welfare, and governmental representatives interested in moving forward
in research and policy development.?
Executive Summary
?Although the number of ?children in care? in Canada is increasing every year,
legislation, policies, and standards of care vary between provinces,
territories, and First Nations. Aboriginal children are
overrepresented as a population within children in care, and many
children in care have special needs requiring specific attention.?
Overview of Children in Care in Canada
?Approximately 76 000 children in Canada are under the protection of Child and
Family Services across the country, and are referred to as children in
care (based on numbers as reported in Child Welfare in Canada 2000, as
well as available Provincial/Territorial Ministry of Child and Family
Services Annual Reports, 2000- 2002). All provinces and territories in
Canada have legislative responsibility for child and family services.
One exception is the federal responsibility for Aboriginal peoples
with status under the Indian Act of Canada. Each province and
territory has legislation that defines how children will be protected
from abuse and neglect.?
Increasing Numbers
?Over the last decade, studies have shown that in Canada, the
vulnerable population of children in need of protection is increasing
significantly (OACAS 2002; CWLC 2001). Human Resources Development
Canada reported that there were 36 080 children in care in Canada,
excluding Quebec, in 1997 (HRDC, 1997). The Child Welfare League of
Canada (CWLC) statistics for 1998/1999 indicate a total number of 46
397 children in care, excluding Quebec (CWLC, 2001). Despite the
increase in children requiring placement in out-of-home care,
proportionately fewer family-based care homes are available, due in
part to problems with the recruitment and retention of foster families
(OACAS, 2002; Barbell & Freundlich, 2001). According to the Ontario
Association of Children?s Aid Societies (OACAS), although 21% more
foster homes
were used in 2001/2002 than in 1998/1999, the rate of placements
increased by 38% (OACAS, 2002).?
Children in Care in Canada
Breakdown by Province or Territory
Ontario (Feb 2003)
Children in Care: 16,989
Prince Edward Island (Mar 2002)
Children in Care: 329
British Columbia (Mar 2002)
Children in Care: 10,450
Alberta (Mar 2001)
Children in Care: 15,032
Newfoundland/Labrador (1999)
Children in Care: 703
New Brunswick (Mar 1999)
Children in Care: 1,193
Nova Scotia (Mar 1999)
Children in Care: 1,906
Quebec
Children in Care: 20,506
Manitoba (Mar 1999)
Children in Care: 5,358
Saskatchewan (Mar 1999)
Children in Care: 2,710
Yukon (1999)
Children in Care: 182
Northwest Territories (Mar 2001)
Children in Care: 825
Nunavut
Children in Care: NA
Total 76,183
Source: Page 8:
The National Children?s Alliance of Canada: March 2003
Download here:
http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.com/nca/pubs/2003/Children_in_Care_March_2003.pdf
Index of Research Papers and Reports: National Children?s Alliance
http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.com/nca/pubs/reports_date.htm
?At least 60,000 children, a disproportionate number of whom are
Aboriginal, spend some time in out-of-home care every year. Child
abuse and neglect are associated with poor developmental?
Centre of Excellence for Child Welfare
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/allchildren_touslesenfants/centres_wel_e.html
Search terms:
40000..200000 children ?in out-of-home care? Canada
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I hope you find this information helpful!
Best regards,
Bobbie7 |
