Youth protection services seek 50 families to foster children
Montreal's youth protection services are launching an appeal to recruit dozens of new foster families to meet a rising demand.
“We're trying to prioritize the children's needs so that's why we're in search of 50 foster families,” said Assunta Gallo, director of youth protection for local health board the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal.
The goal is to find a diverse pool of candidates to house children temporarily. There is a need in all age groups from 0 to 18 years old and in different neighbourhoods and cultural communities all over the island.
Youth protection also wants to find households of different religions and cultures in order to match the identities of the young people. Same-sex couples are welcome to apply.
“You need a family to help you to feel secure. It's not about being loved, it's about being secure,” said Nancy Audet, youth protection ambassador for the Montreal Youth Centre Foundation. A former sports reporter, Audet knows the life of a foster child first hand – she grew up in an abusive home before she was placed in youth protection.
"I realized that these placements allowed me to catch my breath when I was going through a lot of violence and suffering," she said.
The island of Montreal currently has 700 foster families; youth protection typically selects 11 to 15 new families each year. Over the years, many have withdrawn because they moved, or because their role was considered too difficult, or because they retired.
"Being a foster family means dealing with a child who comes to your home temporarily. You open your heart and your family to them, and maybe after six months, the child leaves," said Gallo, who stressed the importance of foster families in the development of troubled youth.
Factors including the pandemic, and a drop in funding for support programs have led to the need for more families, said Audet.
“This is what those kids need: to be secure, to know nothing will happen to them, not physically, not mentally,” she said.
The selection process is divided into various stages, and takes several months. Among other things, applicant families have to pass interviews and a skills test. Their interpersonal skills and personal characteristics are also evaluated by youth protection workers.
For more information or to apply to became a foster parent, click here or call 514-356-5435.
- With files form The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.