Racial Disparities and the Impact of Covid on Youth 

Aging Out of Care

Mary-Rose Allan, Victoria Amato, Taranjot Bath, Krysten Bonikowsky, Nilani

Gengeswaran, Kaitlin Irwin, Kate Nguyen, Hannah Robertson-Young, Darwyn Royer,

and Azeezat Sule

Humber College

Project Library 

Kelly Cassano

April 6, 2021
 In Canada, there are several alternative housing placements for youth defined as

“care”. These places of care for children and youth in Ontario include “foster care,

kinship care, group homes, residential secure treatment facilities and youth justice

facilities” (Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, 2016). Most of these youth who

live in care are a part of the child welfare system. In Ontario, the child welfare system

aims to protect children who are at risk for abuse and neglect (Ministry of Children,

Community and Social Services, 2018). For young people who are forced to age out of

child welfare systems in Ontario, it can be a transitional period full of fear and

uncertainty. Often, these youth are not leaving care because they are ready, but

because they have no choice. The term aging out refers to young people living within

the child welfare/child protection system, who have reached the age of majority for their

province or territory, and who are, as a result, no longer able to receive care from the

government due to legislated cut-offs (Doucet, 2020). Cut-offs refer to the disruption or

termination of necessary services due to youth reaching the age of majority in their

province, which makes them ineligible for continuation of care. Nearly a thousand youth

age out of care every year in Ontario alone, and they are not provided with the structure

they need to succeed (Kovarikova, 2017). 

This research paper will explore the specific challenges that youth experience

when aging out of care, their needs and the barriers they face, how racial disparities

impact the most vulnerable youth, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on this

population. Best practices for supporting this population will be established, and final

recommendations will be made for Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCP’s).

CYCP’s have the privilege of working directly with this vulnerable population in their
unique life space, and have an important role as advocates, therefore it is their duty to

ensure the application of best practices to support the transition into independent living

post-care. 

The Challenges of Aging Out of Care

Under ideal circumstances, youth living in care would transition out at their own

pace, when they have the appropriate supports in place for them. Unfortunately, this is

not the reality for nearly a thousand youth who age out of care every year in Ontario

(Kovarikova, 2017). These vulnerable young people are faced with numerous barriers

that prevent them from achieving successful outcomes post-care, such as a lack of

structure and support systems and many are forced into a future of risk and uncertainty.

Aging out of care presents a burden to youth who are seeking stable housing,

employment, health-care and other basic necessities.

There is significant evidence that suggests the existence of “low educational

attainment, unemployment, homelessness, physical and mental health difficulties,

dependency on public assistance, and involvement with the criminal justice system” for

young people aging out of care (Montgomery et al., 2006). The social and systemic

barriers that exist are a major contributing factor as to why so many young people who

age out of care, fall through the cracks in the system. Cohen finds that youth from care

are five times more likely to die prematurely than their peers (n.d.). This is a major red

flag that explains the seriousness of this issue. 

This vulnerable population deserves the structure and support required to meet

their needs and succeed in independence, before exiting care. After leaving care, a

significant number of youth report feeling a deep sense of abandonment, as well as

anxiety around the “impending lack of support” (Ontario Association of Children’s Aid

Societies, 2009). Child and youth advocates suggest that the needs of these youth

include increased planning and resources when leaving the care system, stable and

affordable housing, employment, financial support, access to education, and mental

health supports, to name a few (Kovarikova, 2017). The Ministry of Children,

Community and Social Services describes the following “benefits” for youth leaving

care: possibility of eligibility for financial support of $850 per month, health care benefits

for those aged twenty-one to twenty-four, and some vocational and other educational

training programs that may provide financial support for tuition-related expenses

(2021). 

Although one bedroom apartment prices have recently dropped due to Covid-19,

the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto in 2021 is still unaffordable for

these youth, with current prices averaging $1770 monthly (Hanrahan, 2021). Providing

only $850 a month in the current economy, along with other monthly expenses such as

food, transportation, and medication doesn’t suffice with all expenses added. In addition

to all of these gaps in the system, the Ontario Conservative government recently took a

major step backwards by closing the Ontario Child Advocate’s Office, leaving many

young people lost in their transition from care (Anderson, 2018). Ultimately, young

people aging out of care in Ontario face many challenges during their transition, and

marginalized youth, specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), face

even worse outcomes.

 How Racial Disparities Impact the Transition from Care

Racial disparity refers to the imbalances and inconsistencies between the

treatment of different racial groups. Canadian (Ontario) youth face many different forms

of systemic racism in many different systems, including education, healthcare, and the

mental health system (Ontario Human Rights Commission, n.d.). BIPOC youth will often

face many challenges when having to leave care, especially when it comes to

accessing resources, finding employment, or stable/affordable housing. Due to the

overrepresentation and racial discrimination and disparities these youth face in the

system, they ultimately need a lot more support, resources, guidance, and care before

aging out into independence. The report by the Ontario Human Rights Commission

(OHRC) inquiry revealed the proportion of African Canadian children admitted into care

to be two point two times higher than their proportion in the child population. The OHRC

inquiry also revealed that Indigenous youth represent 93% of admissions into care

agencies (Ontario Human Rights Commission, n.d.). 

As mentioned previously, substantial evidence suggests that young people

leaving public care systems are at increased risk for low educational attainment,

unemployment, homelessness, physical and mental health difficulties, dependency on

public assistance, and involvement with the criminal justice system (Montgomery et al.,

2006). These risk factors inform CYCP’s of the urgent need for changes in policy, and

reformation of the child welfare system. Too many BIPOC youth are failing post-care as

a result of this faulty system. In 2016, The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled in

favour of the plaintiffs stating that Indigenous children are being discriminated against in

the child welfare system. The tribunal ruled that this discrimination happens to
Indigenous children on reserves by denying them adequate funding for child protection,

education, and health services that are specific to non-Indigenous children (Byle, 2016).

These practices and inadequacies designed by the Canadian federal government

perpetuate a capitalist, colonialist society in which First Nations, Inuit, and Metis

peoples are expected to conform. 

When working with children and youth from marginalized communities involved in

the child welfare system, it is an essential practice to not only acknowledge the existing

systemic racism, but the profound impact of colonization. It is argued by field experts

that our child welfare system in Canada is not in support of keeping families together,

but rather to apprehend their children (OHRC, n.d.). This source also finds that once

apprehended, ninety percent of Indigenous children and youth are placed in non-

Indigenous homes. This can lead to deep feelings of cultural disconnection and a loss of

cultural identity.

Ontario based research shows that systemic racial discrimination exists in the

child welfare system and plays a significant role in their social determinants of health

(Ontario Human Rights Commission, n.d.). According to the Canadian government, the

social determinants of health are health inequalities influenced by socioeconomic

factors like income, education, employment, multi-generational housing, access to

health services, culture and race/racism (Government of Canada, 2021). Covid-19 is an

additional challenge that disproportionately affects these racialized communities. 

The Impact of Covid-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic, youth in vulnerable demographics have an

increased risk for harm during stay-at-home orders. These demographics include youth
who are 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, experiencing homelessness, abuse, substance use

disorders, and more (Cohen & Bosk, 2020). Stay-at-home orders resulting from

pandemic guidelines have put vulnerable youth at further risk for harm due to unstable

housing and economic struggles. The youth within these risk categories struggle to

secure stable housing or seek shelter provided by agencies aimed to protect them. This

is largely due to the impact Covid-19 has had in the workplace, as youth agencies have

less staff available due to the pandemic, loss of programs and services, and a need for

technology for online delivery of services.  (Cohen & Bosk, 2020). Racialized

communities are disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 as a direct result of health

inequities influenced by the social determinants of health. Due to the vulnerability of

youth aging out of care during the Covid-19 pandemic, the provincial government of

Ontario has issued a moratorium (temporary suspension of law) so that youth are not

forced to age out of care during this time. This originally was set for a short period of

time but most recently has been extended until September 30, 2022. This means that

youth won’t be forced to lose their home, caregivers and financial support while also

navigating the pandemic (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, 2021).

This is an opportune time for the government to acknowledge vulnerable populations,

and change current legislation to better suit the needs of vulnerable youth.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Best practices for BIPOC families involved in the Canadian Child Welfare system

because the child welfare system is inherently discriminatory, and it is necessary for

non-indigenous CYCP’s to listen to what Indigenous peoples are advocating for before

decisions are made regarding care. One recommendation is to listen to Indigenous

youth, their experiences and fears as they prepare to transition out of care. If wanted by

the youth, research can be done to discover resources that will help them connect back

to their culture and, where possible, help them in doing so. CYCP’s must ensure that

they are always “doing with, not for or to”, in order to stop the cycle of colonization of

Indigenous people in the Canadian child welfare system (Garfat et. al., 2018). 

As found in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Canada’s

policies were created around beliefs, practices and legislation that result in the harm

Indigenous people have experienced for generations (Government of Canada, 2020).

There are many practices that should be followed in order to address the impact of

racial disparities on youth aging out of care. It is recommended that CYCP’s are made

aware of, and understand the impact of the disproportionalities that BIPOC youth are

facing in the child welfare system, and implement a needs-based approach that is

trauma-informed to address the disproportionalities that BIPOC youth experience.

It would be beneficial if child welfare agencies engaged with the families and

members of the cultural community with a goal of developing and maintaining

intercultural relationships (Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, 2016). The

lack of government support leads to housing inadequacies, and BIPOC youth struggle

to find housing in safe and affordable neighbourhoods. In the current Canadian

education system, there is insufficient education surrounding the history of Black,

Indigenous and People of Colour. An emphasis must be placed on collecting and

analyzing data that can measure racial disproportionality and disparities (OACAS, 2016)

Ultimately, best practices for youth aging out of care during the Covid-19 pandemic

have yet to be established, as the long-term effects have yet to be researched. The
current moratorium preventing age cut-offs during this time is a step in the right direction

to help protect vulnerable youth. 

Conclusion

The Canadian government acknowledges the disparities in racial communities

with the social determinants of health as well as the overrepresentation of Black and

Indigenous youth in the Canadian child welfare system with the OHRC inquiry. While

acknowledging this issue is the first step of action, the government is responsible for

addressing and amending the implications of discrimination. In the current political

climate, youth aging out of care will continue to have poor outcomes unless legislative

changes are made. CYCP’s have a responsibility to educate themselves on intercultural

practices, and how to best support marginalized communities. There is a lack of

knowledge surrounding the long-term effects of Covid-19 on this population and

recommendations will continue to develop over time. Currently, the moratorium provides

both government and child welfare agencies the opportunity to listen to the needs

identified by youth, and fill the current gaps that support disproportionality and

discrimination in the system. CYCP’s are unique in their ability to focus on strength-

based practices that provide the necessary foundation for youth to achieve success and

independence. 
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