The RCY has issued several reports highlighting the acute unmet needs of young people with disabilities & their families in BC. Please take a moment to read our report 'Too Many Left Behind' to learn about these important issues & join us in pushing for change. Read it here: rcybc.ca/wp-content/u...

On this #InternationalDayOfPersonswithDisabilities the Representative for Children and youth renews her calls to the BC government to address the urgent needs of up to 83,000 young people with disabilities not receiving adequate services.

Today we deeply feel the loss of too many women due to violence. We stand too with current survivors and the many young people who are being profoundly impacted by violence and those who have lost their lives. Read more in Don’t Look Away: rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo... #16daysofactivism

Transgender Day of Remembrance is a reminder that safety and dignity are non-negotiable. Trans people, including young people, continue to face higher rates of violence, exclusion, and systemic barriers. Remembering those who have been lost to transphobia must push all of us. We commit to change.

November 20th is National Child Day. Join us in moving toward a new ‘North Star’ of child well-being where young people feel safe, supported, connected and confident that their fundamental rights will be recognized and upheld. How do you support young people to thrive?

When Haruto, a boy living with Autism was facing challenges getting support, his family reached out to us. Our Advocates were able to amplify their calls for services and facilitate access to customized therapy. Read more about how our Advocacy makes a difference in our latest Annual Report.

RCY is incredibly grateful to have participated in Our Children Our Way’s National Forum for Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being. We learned so much through the inspiring approaches and practices to strengthening the lives of young people and their families. #OurChildrenOurWay #OCOW #RCYBC

When Maya and her siblings were put into government care after their home was found to be unsafe, they didn’t see each other much. With RCY’s help, a reunification plan was put into place allowing them to see each other regularly.

Too many young people living with mental health challenges are struggling to get the support they deserve. Need help navigating government services? Call us.

Recognizing all the incredible work that foster families do in providing so much for young people across the province. Deep gratitude for the difference you make. #fosterfamilymonthbc #fosterfamilymonth

Indigenous caregivers and kin, you hold language, ceremony and identity close. Thank you for the care that honours Nations and culture. #FosterFamilyMonthBC #CultureIsCare

For the caregivers who keep siblings together. You protect bonds that last a lifetime. Thank you for all that you do. #KeepSiblingsTogether #FosterFamilyMonthBC

Communities thrive when young people thrive. At #UBCM2025 we asked: What are you most concerned about for youth in your municipality - and how can we work together to change it? #actearly #youthwellbeing #ubcm2025

Tired of hoops and barriers when you need support? You have rights and we’re here to help you understand them. Our Advocates will help you make your voice heard. Reach out today. #YouthRights #Advocacy

The systems of yesterday can’t meet the realities of today. It’s time to stop patching cracks and start redesigning supports with care, equity, and belonging at the centre. #changeisnow #kidsfirst #rcybc #kidsdeservebetter

Just left care in B.C. and need financial support? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Our Advocates can walk along side you as you navigate the SAJE program.   Connect with us today and get support understanding the process.
#YouthInCare #FinancialSupport

Together, we can create the changes needed to ensure people with FASD thrive, today and every day. Myles Himmelreich, who co-led the development of RCY’s Excluded report, shares his experience as both a person with FASD and someone who works closely with children and youth with FASD. #FASDAwareness

Every young person deserves to thrive. When we invest in children and youth today, we build healthier, safer, and more connected communities for tomorrow. #KidsFirst #SystemsChange #Belonging #RCYBC #kidsdeservebetter

Life after leaving care can be overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone. We’ll help you understand what services and supports you can access. Reach out and let’s figure it out together. Call us at 1 (800) 476-3933. #LifeAfterCare #YouthSupport

Old approaches have failed. Real solutions mean building responsive systems that protect kids, reduce harm, and put well-being at the centre. #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay Read the Representative's statement: rcybc.ca/.../internat... #ChildRights #PolicyChange #HarmReduction #EndOverdose

Are you under 27 and not sure what your rights are? You don’t have to figure it out alone. RCY Advocates can help you understand your rights and how they apply to your life at school, in care, with services, or wherever you need support. Call us at 1-800- 476-3933. We are here for you.

RCY is calling for an overhaul of BC’s child welfare system to one that focuses on the well-being of young people. Read more about RCY’s vision for a ‘North Star’ of child well-being in our report 'Don't Look Away'. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

Aunties. Grandmas. Cousins. Family caregivers are increasingly stepping in to care for extended family. They need adequate resources to be able to love and nurture the young people they are responsible for. Read our recommendations in our report Don’t Look Away. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

Happy #InternationalYouthDay! Youth are our future leaders and change makers. At RCY, we’re here to help make the lives of young people better. Read more about what we do and the difference we can make as an oversight office on our website. rcybc.ca

We need to invest in young people today to create a strong future tomorrow. Read about our vision for transformational change in the child welfare system in our report Don’t Look Away. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo... #childrights #youthmatter #DontLookAway #systemchange

Backing up the bus and focusing more on preventing problems rather than responding to crises is essential to ensuring young people and their families thrive. Read RCY’s recommendations for strengthened early care and family support in 'Don't Look Away' rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

RCY is calling for comprehensive programs to support children and their families early. Read our recommendations to government in our report 'Don't Look Away' here rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo... #FamilySupport #BackUpTheBus #DontLookAway #KidsDeserveBetter

None of us can look away from the profound impacts of family violence on young people. Read more in our report 'Don't Look Away'. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo... #familyviolence #YouthVoices #DontLookAway #IPVAwareness #intimatepartnerviolence

It’s time to back up the bus & support families to care for their children so they are able to thrive. Families urgently need early intervention & support. Read how the trajectory of one boy’s life could have changed if supports & services wrapped around his family rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

Young people today will be our leaders of tomorrow. Investing in them now is critical to sustain our communities. This week we mark the one-year anniversary of Don’t Look Away, which charted a new path forward to ensure young people are able to reach their full potential. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

“Colby” was just 11 years old when he was brutally tortured at the hands of family caregivers. His story is one of the most egregious examples of how a young person was failed by adults who were supposed to protect and support him. Read Don't Look Away: rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

Today B.C.’s independent watchdog for young people renewed her calls for action for young people made in her landmark report Don’t Look Away. Read more about why collective action is needed: rcybc.ca/.../statemen...

Here at the Representative for Children & Youth’s office we review & investigate critical injuries & deaths of young people receiving government services. These young people experience too many harms including abuse, neglect, trauma, suicide, & overdose. All of these young people had so many gifts.

Representative for Children and Youth data shows gender diverse young people are twice as likely to experience life-altering injuries and suicidality than their cis-gender peers. Read our report, The Right to Thrive. rcybc.ca/wp-content/u...

The Representative for Children & Youth is B.C.’s independent watchdog for young people. We advocate for young people to help them get the supports they need, review & investigate serious injuries & death, & shine a light on gaps in services & supports. Visit our website or call us.

Here at the Representative for Children & Youth's office we see far too often the prevalence of violence in the lives of young people. The lasting impacts of this trauma are profound. Read about the experiences of young people and our recommendations in our report Don't Look Away

Young people are too often both experiencing and witnessing sexualized violence. We must end the normalization of something that should never be part of the life of a young person. Read our calls for change in our report ‘Don’t Look Away’. Read it here: rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

Amplifying the critically important work of Dr. Kim Stanton highlighting the urgency of mitigating gender-based violence in the province. As B.C.’s oversight office for young people in the province, we share this urgency as we see too often, & too vividly, the impacts of gender-based violence.

Young people are being impacted by the toxic drug crisis in too many ways - some lose their lives, some live with lasting impacts such as brain injuries, and still others live with the trauma of losing parents and loved ones. This is not just a health crisis - it’s a system failure.

Ham i yaa (thank you) to the staff at Gitxsan Child and Family Services Society for inviting us to come to talk about how we advocate for young people trying to access government services. Wonderful to meet you and hear about your great work as well.

Canada ranks 19th out of 39 countries in child well-being according to the UNICEF Report Card 19. 23rd in mental health, 24th in physical health, and 21st in skills. Children deserve better. Let’s talk about what needs to change. #ChildRights #WellbeingCrisis #RCYBC #UNICEFReportCard19

Are you a young person having challenges accessing mental health supports/services? Our Advocates can help. Call us. 1 (800) 476-3933 #UNICEF #ChildHealth #KidsDeserveBetter

Social media has the potential to connect, but it can also harm. High-intensity users report lower life satisfaction. Six out of ten kids experience online discrimination. How do we build digital spaces that protect and empower young people? #DigitalWellness #OnlineRights #KidsDeserveBetter

How are young people coping in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world? Not very well according to UNICEF’s latest report card on child well-being in countries world-wide. This should be a wake-up call. Read the report here: www.unicef.ca/en/rc19 #kidsdeservebetter #unicef #youth

Every young person has the right to belong. Tell us what you're doing to make sure young people feel included, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

Over the past 15 years, youth in care numbers dropped 45% – while the number of young people placed with family caregivers increased 365%. While RCY supports young people being placed with family, concerns persist that government is not able to properly resource & support these care arrangements.

During National Indigenous History Month we recognize the strength and resilience of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We continue to advocate for Indigenous young people who we are honoured to be learning so much from.

As we mark #YouthinCareWeek, we are highlighting that too many young people in government care and receiving government services are continuing to experience harm. Read our report Don’t Look Away and support our calls for collective action.

Too many Calls for Justice still outstanding - too many young Indigenous people still feeling the impacts of trauma and violence. Read our report on why transformational change is critically needed: Don't Look Away, 2024 rcybc.ca/wp-content/u...

This week, we're celebrating #YouthinCareWeek. Join us as we honour and acknowledge all the diverse and extraordinary young people in care across the province. If you're a young person having trouble accessing supports you need, get in touch with us - we're here for you!