Law360 Canada (September 29, 2026, 1:15 PM EDT) -- Manitoba is “strengthening the support system” for young adults aging out of provincial care as part of its mission to reduce poverty, prevent homelessness and help vulnerable residents.
According to a Sept. 28
news release, the initiative is intended to assist young adults transitioning out of the Child and Family Services (CFS) system.
For one, the province will give $1.7 million from its Employment and Income Assistance Endowment Fund to seven community groups working to support young adults coming out of care and wanting employment and income assistance.
It will also help simplify their access to income assistance, which the release notes “offers barrier-free financial assistance for up to three months” as they apply for support via provincial assistance programs.
The initiative will also establish a “youth pathways team” to co-ordinate transition planning in a bid to help them “navigate financial assistance, disability programs and other adult services.”
“Social service team members will work with CFS authorities and agencies providing comprehensive case management to ensure seamless transitions and connections to necessary adult support services,” states the release.
Every year more than 650 young people transition out of CFS care when they turn 18, it notes.
Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine called the transition period a “critical” time for young people.
“Leaving care is a critical transition in a young person’s life and we want to make sure there are no gaps between the services they rely on,” said Fontaine in a statement. “I am proud … the Manitoba government is taking a proactive approach by connecting youth leaving care more seamlessly with adult supports. As part of our commitment to reduce poverty and end chronic homelessness, we are ensuring young people can have their basic needs met as they transition out of care and are connected to the programs and services they need to build stable, independent futures.”
Youth leaving care are at higher risk of poverty and homelessness, and many times face barriers to accessing existing government services, states the release.
“Strengthening transition planning, improving income security and investing in community partners meeting youth where they are at helps young people navigate adulthood with greater stability, opportunity and support needed to succeed.”
Youth exiting the system have been identified as a “target population” in Manitoba’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy — an ongoing plan to give vulnerable residents financial empowerment in the name of dignified living.
According to the strategy, youth leaving care “often face abrupt transitions without support,” which can result in homelessness, unemployment and community disconnect.
The strategy, it states, prioritizes “transitional education supports,” as well as skills development and “lifelong networks” in the name of “empowering youth” to become independent and enable them to “thrive in adulthood.”
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