The week of August 10-14 is officially Child and Youth in Care Week in Saskatchewan, the provincial government announced today. For the seventh consecutive year, the province has designated one week in August for the celebration, which will include a socially distant parade in Regina on Friday, hosted by the Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network. 

“Thank you to all care providers across the province for their unique skillset and unwavering commitment to our province’s youngest residents,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said. “Their dedication lets children and youth know that their experiences, voices, and knowledge are valued and that they are not alone. Our government appreciates the support and services provided by our community partners who work with our province’s most vulnerable citizens.”

The Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network is a non-profit community-based organization that supports and improves the lives of young people between the ages of 14 and 24 who are currently, or have previously been, in government care (foster care or custody).

The provincial government provided the Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network with $182,952 in funding for 2020-21. They said that during the pandemic, many youths in care successfully advocated for the suspension of transitions from care to help keep them safe during the time of COVID-19. 

“Seven years ago youth members of the Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network asked the Minister of Social Services to proclaim one week a year as Child and Youth in Care Week,” Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network Provincial Outreach Coordinator Richard Rothenburger said. “We acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of the Ministry of Social Services for continuing to proclaim Child and Youth in Care Week to highlight the unique experiences, and accomplishments youth in and from care encounter during and aftercare.”

Last year, this week was July 22-26. In the 2019-20 fiscal year, the province provided the Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network with $180,518 in funding.