Committee Acknowledges Gaps in Support for Kinship Care Families
Fairness for Children Raised by Relatives recently presented at the B.C. Budget 2026 public consultation. And the Standing Committee heard us!
We raised a critical issue: families in the Permanent Guardianship Program are missing out on essential financial supports because the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) claims the Canada Child Benefit (and, in some cases, the Disability Child Benefit) on behalf of the children. That means these funds never reach the grandparents, aunties, uncles, or other relatives actually raising the children.
The ripple effect? Caregivers lose access to other provincial and federal programs tied to CCB eligibility, leaving them without help they desperately need to keep children safe, healthy, and supported.
In their report, the Committee recognized this concern and recommended:
- A review of federal and provincial benefit eligibility for youth in kinship care.
- Increased support services for children and youth in care, including consistent mental health services and transition programs like SAJE.
- Individualized funding for all children and youth with developmental disabilities who need therapeutic interventions.
We are encouraged that our submission (see page 75) made it as the first recommendation (on page 82) under this section. You can access the full report and scroll to pages 75-82, but clicking this button:
These recommendations are an important step forward, but they only matter if government acts on them. We will continue pressing for changes that ensure kinship caregivers receive the same access to supports as any other family caring for a child in need.
Because no child should be shortchanged simply because a relative stepped up.
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