First Nations children and youth in the care system, and those that were formally in the care system deserve to receive consistent and effective support at school so they have every opportunity possible for educational and lifelong success.

In May, 2020, the First Nations Children and Youth in Care Protocol was signed by the First Nations Leadership Council (BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and Union of BC Indian Chiefs); the Province (Ministry of Education and Child Care, Ministry of Children and Family Development, and Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills), and FNESC. The Protocol commits BC, the First Nations Leadership Council, and FNESC to engage in dialogue and joint action on specific issues and initiatives to improve the educational outcomes and well-being of First Nations children and youth in care and former youth in care through legislative, policy, and practice reform.

Action 4.18 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan re-affirms the Province’s commitment to “co-develop and implement measures to support improved education outcomes of current and former First Nation children and youth in care, including meaningful data collection to inform policy planning and service delivery.”

The Workplan to implement the First Nations Children and Youth In Care Protocol and DRIPA Action 4.18 includes 8 objectives:

1. Data and Information Sharing: ensure robust, consistent data collection, monitoring and public reporting for First Nations CYIC and formerly in care in the k-12 education and post-secondary system.
2. K-12 Funding and Supports: Review school district supports and services provided to CYIC to determine funding opportunities.
3. Education Planning for CYIC: ensure a high-quality and regularly updated care plan, including a robust education plan, is in place and monitored for each First Nation CYIC.
4. CYIC Involved in the Justice System: ensure the delivery of high-quality education programs for First Nation CYIC that are or have been involved in the youth justice system.
5. Wraparound post-secondary supports: ensure the Province provides funding for broad wraparound supports (tuition, living allowance, supplies, etc.) to First Nations CYIC pursuing post-secondary education.
6. Provincial Tuition Waiver Program (PTWP): improve access to the PTWP by expanding the eligibility criteria and building awareness by improving outreach.
7. Debt Relief: develop funding options to provide debt relief (loan forgiveness) to former CYIC with outstanding BC student loans.
8. Student Housing Prioritization: ensure institutions have processes and policies in place to prioritize student housing beds for current/former youth in care pursuing post-secondary education in BC.