Youth Pathways
Welcome to CCAS’s Youth Pathways
A section dedicated to ensuring you feel seen and heard. Guided by our Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression (ARAO) and Anti-Black Racism frameworks and our supports and services to 2SLGBTQ+ Communities, we are striving to recognize diversity, uphold equity and be more inclusive.
Youth Pathways houses information about CCAS youth programs and services. We welcome your feedback on how we can improve our services and supports. If you have any questions or comments, please fill out the form below.
Feedback Form:
Financial Literacy
In preparation for independent living, young people participating in Ready, Set, Go! (RSG)—formerly the Continued Care and Support for Youth program—who have existing OCBe savings are required to complete a financial literacy course before receiving their funds. This requirement must be met before, or no later than six months after, their 18th birthday. To support youth in meeting this requirement, financial literacy courses are available through organizations such as Pape Adolescent Resource Centre (PARC).
We recognize that financial literacy should begin long before age 18. Through our Life Skills program, children and youth in care ages 13–15 are introduced to key financial concepts and practical money management skills. This learning continues through partnerships with community organizations including PARC and WoodGreen Community Services where youth can further develop their financial literacy and life skills. By the time they turn 18, youth will have had opportunities to build the knowledge and confidence needed which is essential to transitioning out of care and into adulthood.
Financial Support
Government Financial Support for Children and Youth
Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs): Directed by the Ministry, we establish RESPs for eligible children and youth with the purpose of supporting their post-secondary education.
Ontario Child Benefit equivalent (OCBe): OCBe is a funding enhancement introduced by the government that provides a range of positive and supportive experiences for our children to help ensure a smoother transition into adulthood. OCBe benefits include:
- Activities/Opportunity Fund: Provides children and youth in care (0-17 years old) the opportunities to participate in recreational, educational, cultural, and social activities.
- Savings Fund: Provides youth in care who are 15-17 years old with the benefit of a savings program that a youth receives once they turn 18. In order to access these savings, youth are required to obtain financial literacy training to help them budget and manage their money.
Transition Program
Semi-Independent Program
The Transition Program is a semi-Independent Program that offers a short-term supportive housing opportunity for youth aged 16-22 who are involved in the child welfare system and are preparing for Independent Living. This program offers youth the opportunity to gain life-building skills and knowledge, such as: budgeting, education, employment etc. Young people will have the support of live-in mentors and staff to be a part of goal setting, and can move forward at their own pace, identifying areas they would like to work on. There is also a built-in savings program and upon graduation from the program young people will have money to assist with the transition to their own place or to independence. We also assist with connecting youth to community partners who can assist with, housing, financial supports, etc.
Key areas of the program include:
- Individual support
- Opportunities to build relationships with peers
- Support to complete education and post-secondary planning
- Support regarding mental health and self-care
- Life skills counselling & group work
- Budget counselling
- Housing advocacy
- Referrals to job search and training programs
- Referrals to community services
Leaving Care
Independent Living Assistance
CCAS Child and Youth Services staff provide a range of critical services and supports to help young people transition into independent living. The Society provides the following support:
- Monthly RSG/Independent living stipend
- Health and Dental Benefits
- Ontario Child Benefit Equivalent (OCBe) Funding
- Referrals to community partner agencies for services, like: Youth in Transition Worker:
- Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation scholarship information
- Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada scholarship information and additional support
- CCAS Transition Program
- Education support for youth in care ages 4-17 including RSG ages 18-22, contact Khalat Amin k.amin@torontoccas.org. For additional RSG support contact Diana Smith d.smith@torontoccas.org.
Youth Resources
Discover our Get Connected Hub — a user-friendly, youth-focused website designed to help you find exactly what matters to you. Packed with valuable resources, community programs, services, and supports, it’s your go-to place to start your journey and access the help you need. Explore a wide range of resource sections, including addictions and mental health, aftercare services, crisis support, education, employment, faith, food insecurity, and housing, plus many other available resources.
Open to the public but created with youth in mind, this dynamic platform makes it easy to navigate and search options tailored to your interests.
Youth Status
Protection Services For 16 And 17-Year-Olds
Voluntary Youth Service Agreement (VYSA) is a mutually-agreed upon contract to identify ongoing support from CCAS to 16-and 17-year-old youths who qualify. These youth receive similar support to youth on Extended Society Care. For additional information on Services for youth, view this brochure from the Province of Ontario >
Ready, Set, Go: Preparing Youth for Adulthood
The Ready, Set, Go (RSG) program replaces Continued Care and Support for Youth (CCSY) and focuses on transitioning youth into adulthood.
CCAS seeks to support youth in developing skills and abilities necessary for adulthood based on the youths’ perspectives on their goals, progress, and views on what services and supports would help prepare them. This includes promoting education, employment, housing and healthcare goals.
Highlights of the program:
- Promotes youth voices and youth engagement in decision-making
- Conversations begin at age 13
- Planning begins at age 15
- Age of transition has increased from age 21 to age 23
- Independent Living Assistance – Monthly RSG/Independent Living stipend
- Health and Dental Benefits
- Referrals to community partner agencies for services
- Aftercare benefits initiative (healthcare 23 to 25)
- Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation scholarship information for additional supports >
- Education Support