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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC
@rcybc.bsky.social
130 followers 210 following 80 posts
Official Bluesky account of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth in British Columbia.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 1d
Recognizing all the incredible work that foster families do in providing so much for young people across the province.

Deep gratitude for the difference you make.

#fosterfamilymonthbc #fosterfamilymonth
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 3d
Indigenous caregivers and kin, you hold language, ceremony and identity close.

Thank you for the care that honours Nations and culture.

#FosterFamilyMonthBC #CultureIsCare
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 7d
For the caregivers who keep siblings together. You protect bonds that last a lifetime.

Thank you for all that you do.

#KeepSiblingsTogether #FosterFamilyMonthBC
Two siblings smiling at the camera. Text on the image says "To the caregivers who keep siblings together, we thank you."
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 15d
Communities thrive when young people thrive.

At #UBCM2025 we asked: What are you most concerned about for youth in your municipality - and how can we work together to change it? #actearly #youthwellbeing #ubcm2025
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 16d
Tired of hoops and barriers when you need support? You have rights and we’re here to help you understand them.

Our Advocates will help you make your voice heard.

Reach out today.
#YouthRights #Advocacy
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 24d
The systems of yesterday can’t meet the realities of today.

It’s time to stop patching cracks and start redesigning supports with care, equity, and belonging at the centre.

#changeisnow #kidsfirst #rcybc #kidsdeservebetter
Graphic with a black background featuring a large gold quotation mark symbol at the top. White and gold text reads: “The system we have now was designed 50 years ago and it is incapable of addressing the complexities that young people and their families are experiencing today… it is time to think differently, act different, and feel differently in our work with young people.” – Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, Representative for Children and Youth. At the bottom right is the RCY logo with the words “Representative for Children and Youth.”
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · 28d
Just left care in B.C. and need financial support? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Our Advocates can walk along side you as you navigate the SAJE program.
 
Connect with us today and get support understanding the process.
#YouthInCare #FinancialSupport
A teen sits on their phone in a skatepark. There is a skateboard beside them. Text on the image says “Recently left government care in B.C.? You’re not alone.”
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Sep 9
Together, we can create the changes needed to ensure people with FASD thrive, today and every day.

Myles Himmelreich, who co-led the development of RCY’s Excluded report, shares his experience as both a person with FASD and someone who works closely with children and youth with FASD.
#FASDAwareness
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Sep 8
Every young person deserves to thrive.

When we invest in children and youth today, we build healthier, safer, and more connected communities for tomorrow.

#KidsFirst #SystemsChange #Belonging #RCYBC #kidsdeservebetter
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Sep 4
Life after leaving care can be overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone.

We’ll help you understand what services and supports you can access.

Reach out and let’s figure it out together. Call us at 1 (800) 476-3933.

#LifeAfterCare #YouthSupport
Two people sitting on a park bench with their legs crossed. Text on the image says "Navigating life after government care isn't always easy but we are here to support you".
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 31
Old approaches have failed. Real solutions mean building responsive systems that protect kids, reduce harm, and put well-being at the centre. #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay

Read the Representative's statement: rcybc.ca/.../internat...

#ChildRights #PolicyChange #HarmReduction #EndOverdose
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 27
Are you under 27 and not sure what your rights are? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

RCY Advocates can help you understand your rights and how they apply to your life at school, in care, with services, or wherever you need support.

Call us at 1-800- 476-3933. We are here for you.
An image of kids playing with toys, text below reads "As a young person, you have the right to be yourself. safe. healthy. heard."
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 15
RCY is calling for an overhaul of BC’s child welfare system to one that focuses on the well-being of young people.
Read more about RCY’s vision for a ‘North Star’ of child well-being in our report 'Don't Look Away'. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
A young boy smiles and throws his hands in the air with joy. Text under the image reads "Are kids thriving? Or just surviving?".
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 13
Aunties. Grandmas. Cousins.

Family caregivers are increasingly stepping in to care for extended family. They need adequate resources to be able to love and nurture the young people they are responsible for.

Read our recommendations in our report Don’t Look Away. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
Big orange quotation marks are at the top of a black background. Text under the quotations reads "I was only given some food vouchers for the first three months and never saw the social worker. -Grandmother, EFP". The RCY logo is at the bottom right in white.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 12
Happy #InternationalYouthDay! Youth are our future leaders and change makers. At RCY, we’re here to help make the lives of young people better.

Read more about what we do and the difference we can make as an oversight office on our website. rcybc.ca
A teen stands looking into the distance. they are wearing a white shirt and a rainbow hat. They have a small smile on their face.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 8
We need to invest in young people today to create a strong future tomorrow.

Read about our vision for transformational change in the child welfare system in our report Don’t Look Away. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

#childrights #youthmatter #DontLookAway #systemchange
Three photos of young people at the bottom of the graphic. Text above in bold letters says "Their lives can't wait".
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 6
Backing up the bus and focusing more on preventing problems rather than responding to crises is essential to ensuring young people and their families thrive.
Read RCY’s recommendations for strengthened early care and family support in 'Don't Look Away' rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
Two kids run toward a stopped school bus. Text reads: “We must back up the bus to prevent harm, not just react to it.” RCY logo at bottom.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Aug 1
RCY is calling for comprehensive programs to support children and their families early.

Read our recommendations to government in our report 'Don't Look Away' here rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

#FamilySupport #BackUpTheBus #DontLookAway #KidsDeserveBetter
Two young children play together outdoors, jumping on a painted surface that resembles a crosswalk. Large bold text above them reads, “Stepping in early before crisis hits.” The logo for the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) appears at the bottom left. The image conveys a message of early intervention and support for children.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 30
None of us can look away from the profound impacts of family violence on young people. Read more in our report 'Don't Look Away'. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...

#familyviolence #YouthVoices #DontLookAway #IPVAwareness #intimatepartnerviolence
A young boy sits at a counter with his head in his folded arms. A blurry background shows someone yelling at another person whose head is in their hands. Text on the image says “When home isn’t safe, the system must be.”
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rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 18
It’s time to back up the bus & support families to care for their children so they are able to thrive. Families urgently need early intervention & support. Read how the trajectory of one boy’s life could have changed if supports & services wrapped around his family rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
An image of a family holding hands on a beach. Text on the image reads :I deserve... for my family to be supported."
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 17
Young people today will be our leaders of tomorrow. Investing in them now is critical to sustain our communities.

This week we mark the one-year anniversary of Don’t Look Away, which charted a new path forward to ensure young people are able to reach their full potential. rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
a background image of a crowd of people. text on the image reads "20% of the population, 100% of our future."
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 16
“Colby” was just 11 years old when he was brutally tortured at the hands of family caregivers. His story is one of the most egregious examples of how a young person was failed by adults who were supposed to protect and support him.

Read Don't Look Away: rcybc.ca/hfaq/dont-lo...
A black and white photo of a young boy running in a field. Text on the image says "Don't look away from me". The RCY logo is in the bottom left of the image.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 15
Today B.C.’s independent watchdog for young people renewed her calls for action for young people made in her landmark report Don’t Look Away. Read more about why collective action is needed: rcybc.ca/.../statemen...
Text on a black background. There are large pink quotations at the top, text below in bold font reads “B.C.'s child welfare system is outdated, siloed, discriminatory and requires a complete overhaul. - Jennifer Charlesworth, The Representative for Children and youth”. The logo for the RCY is at the bottom right of the page.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 14
Here at the Representative for Children & Youth’s office we review & investigate critical injuries & deaths of young people receiving government services. These young people experience too many harms including abuse, neglect, trauma, suicide, & overdose. All of these young people had so many gifts.
A split image of a young boy beside an older man in a suit. The text reads "I could have been... leading the province". Split image with a sleeping newborn on the left and a smiling young girl on the right. Bold pink text reads: "I could have been... YOUR CHILD’S BEST FRIEND." Logo at the bottom: RCY – Representative for Children & Youth. Split image with a smiling teenage girl in a casual setting on the left and a young woman in a white coat with a stethoscope on the right. Bold green text reads: "I could have been... YOUR DOCTOR." Logo at the bottom: RCY – Representative for Children & Youth.
rcybc.bsky.social
RCYBC @rcybc.bsky.social · Jul 11
Representative for Children and Youth data shows gender diverse young people are twice as likely to experience life-altering injuries and suicidality than their cis-gender peers. Read our report, The Right to Thrive. rcybc.ca/wp-content/u...
A photo of a young adult looking at the camera. They have blue eyes and short hair, along with a septum piercing. Text on the image says "I deserve... to be accepted for who I am".
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