Meeting the Unmet Needs of Invisible Youth - Young Caregivers

Presenters and slide deck 

Christa Haanstra - Executive Lead, Strategic Communications, the Change Foundation
Micaela Harley - Lead, Young Carers Stream, Changing CARE: Embrace Project
Joanne Sidorchuk - Director, Strategic Initiatives, Cornwall Community Hospital 

Slides 

Key learnings

  • 17% of caregivers in Ontario are between the ages of 15-24, while many more under 15 are left out of the statistics. 77% of young caregivers don't self-identify as caregivers.
  • The ‘young carer penalty’ is a term for all the challenges and risks associated with being a young carer, including the reduced ability to dedicate time to (and succeed in) school, work, social and familial relationships, as well as the negative impacts it has on the mental wellbeing of young carers.
  • The Embrace Project serves to meet the unique needs of family caregivers in the addiction and mental health system across Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Akwesasne, Ontario. One of the streams is specifically dedicated to engaging and supporting Young Carers. This stream of work has resulted in a number of resources for young carers and service providers, in addition to increased capacity for the public identification and recognition of the young carer role.

Identified Gaps in Research, Practice, and/or Policy

Through the work that has been done through the Embrace Project, as well as The Change Foundation, assessments have been conducted on a regular basis to determine what supports are available to young carers nationally. Through these assessments, these groups have been able to conclude that there is a large gap in the inclusion of young carers in strategic planning for agencies and government. This has resulted in the continued marginalization of this population. 

Quotes

"Never underestimate the power that you have to create change - no matter the action, you can create a positive impact and hope for this invisible population." Micaela Harley

Contact Email of Presenters

Christa Haanstra – chaanstra@changefoundation.com
Micaela Harley – harley.micaela@gmail.com
Joanne Sidorchuk – joanne.sidorchuk@cornwallhospital.ca 

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