The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) has recently launched two new resources for youth in care as well as for care providers: Take5 and Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives. 

Take 5 is a website for children and youth in foster care, group homes, or living away from their parents in Ontario. One of our favourite parts? The fact that it was co-created with young people who have lived experience in the child welfare system. Take5 has divided its content into distinct age groups (ages 6-9, 10-12, and 13+) as well as information for care providers. There is information on coping with stress, identity and cultures, relationships and more. There is also a variety of content like activities, podcasts, and videos.

Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives is a free, self-study learning series that was created to help care providers better understand the types of mental health challenges faced by children and youth in the child welfare system. The topics include signs and symptoms of mental health concerns; trauma, attachment and mental health; supporting the mental wellness of Indigenous, Black, and LGBTQ2S+ youth and more. Overall, there is a focus in the series on identities that are overrepresented in the child welfare system and the impacts that racism, oppression, and discrimination against these groups can have on their well-being. For registration details, folks are asked to email healthyminds@oacas.org.