Well-being refers to the social, emotional and physical health that allows children and youth to be productive and successful.
Children and youth who have experienced trauma and neglect are at a significant risk of having complex needs such as behavioral issues, physical and mental health concerns and developmental delays. Children’s Aid Societies need to understand and address these needs whether the child is living in their home of origin or living in the care of a CAS.
Children’s Aid Societies are currently reporting data on one performance indicator related to well-being.
The quality of the caregiver and youth relationship
This PI measures a young person’s perception of the quality of relationship they have with their primary caregiver in an out-of-home placement.
The OACAS Aftercare Benefits Initiative (ABI) provides former Crown wards and other eligible youth with comprehensive health and well-being services, including prescription drug, dental, vision, and extended health benefits, as well as a range of counselling and life-skills supports (depression care, financial planning, career coaching, legal advice and more).
Read about a young boy who bonded with his foster parents and developed better coping skills:
Danny was a severely neglected six year old boy when he entered the care of a Children’s Aid Society. He was depressed, overate to the point of vomiting and had numerous cavities. A long-term foster family was found for him shortly after he came into care. John and Lisa had years of experience working with children with complex needs and saw great potential in Danny. They provided him with love, affection and structure. They arranged medical and dental appointments for him and enrolled him in music classes and soccer.
John and Lisa were able to provide Danny with guidance during times of emotional distress and discuss with him better ways of coping with situations he found difficult. In the past Danny had been observed being overly friendly and attention seeking with people he didn’t know well. Over time John and Lisa found that Danny’s displays of affection towards them seemed more genuine and appropriate. His emotional outbursts at school also decreased. Danny now performs at his grade-level in school, has healthy eating habits, and hasn't felt depressed in a long-time.