AB Government: Child and Youth Well-being Review panel submits report
Press Release
The Child and Youth Well-being Review panel has submitted recommendations the government based on research and feedback from Albertans about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and youth.
The panel, co-chaired by Matt Jones, MLA for Calgary-South East and Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services, worked to understand the social, psychological, educational and physical impacts of the pandemic on children and youth and highlight potential solutions.
Throughout the summer and into the fall, the panel gathered input from researchers, educators, health-care professionals and mental health experts, as well as Alberta parents and kids. Albertans shared their views on and experiences with the impacts of COVID-19 through online surveys, telephone townhalls and roundtables.
The panel heard that children and youth are resilient. While not all young people were impacted negatively, vulnerable children and youth were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and related health measures.
Government will now review the recommendations and create an action plan that supports children and youth through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Alberta invests in many programs and services in this area, and the work of this panel will help ensure that dollars are coordinated, tied to outcomes and based on evidence.
“The Child and Youth Well-Being review helped us to better understand the unique impacts the pandemic has had on our children and youth. I would like to thank the thousands of Albertans who shared their experiences and feedback, as well as our expert panel members for their time and commitment. This important work has resulted in meaningful and tangible recommendations to better support our children and youth as we move forward.”
Matt Jones, MLA for Calgary-South East
“The pandemic and related health measures have affected everyone, especially our youngest citizens. I’m grateful for the feedback we’ve received and, now that that we have specific recommendations, we can create a cross-government action plan to help children and youth now and in the future. We often heard that government can’t address this alone, so I also look forward to working with community partners and civil society on this work.”
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services
“Childhood and adolescence are critical developmental periods that can profoundly affect future health and well-being. I am extremely grateful to everyone involved in this review and look forward to the next steps in supporting our children and youth as we continue to navigate the pandemic.”
Jason Copping, Minister of Health
“We know the pandemic has created many challenges in students’ lives, and that is why mental health programs and services are a top priority. I am so grateful to the panel and to the adults and youth who shared their valuable perspectives. I look forward to the steps we will take, together with education partners, to support Alberta’s children and youth.”
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education
“The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have been difficult for all Albertans, especially children and youth. We must continue to do all we can to support improved health and wellness now and into the future. As part of Alberta’s recovery-oriented system of care transition, we will continue to review the programs we fund to make sure they accomplish the goal of supporting long-term recovery and wellness for children and youth.”
Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
“I’m grateful to have been part of this opportunity to hear from young Albertans on how they are coping with the impacts of COVID-19 and how, in turn, we can better support them. I want to thank everyone who shared their survey responses and personal stories with us. As we analyzed the responses, it helped us to understand how the pandemic has impacted youth and their families – both positively and negatively – in both similar and unique ways. I’m eager to see the action plan the government develops and how our recommendations have informed where we might go next.”
Kelly Schwartz, registered psychologist and associate professor, School and Applied Child Psychology program, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
Panel members are:
- Kelly Schwartz, associate professor, School and Applied Child Psychology program, University of Calgary
- Jennifer Turner, superintendent of schools, Fort McMurray Public School Division
- Carole Carifelle-Brzezicki, director, Indigenous Health, North, AHS
- Dana Fulwiler, educator and well-being consultant
- Nancy Mannix, chair, Palix Foundation
Quick facts
- The Child and Youth Well-Being Review panel has consulted experts and talked with thousands of parents, educators and health-care professionals to assess pandemic-related impacts on young Albertans.
- Two separate online surveys gathered feedback from May 27 to July 31.
- The adult survey collected thoughts and ideas from parents, caregivers and professionals who work with children.
- The youth survey collected thoughts and ideas from children and youth under the age of 19.
- Sixteen virtual roundtables were held.
- Six telephone townhalls gathered feedback.
- Alberta’s government is already taking steps to support children and youth navigate the effects of COVID-19 through:
- $45 million in funding for targeted supports for students who require extra help with literacy and numeracy;
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve allocated more than $165 million in COVID support for child care supports.
- Family Resource Networks (FRNs) launched April 2020. They deliver free prevention and early intervention services and supports for children and youth under 18 and their caregivers to ensure families get the support they need to be resilient, strong and healthy. Between April 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021, approximately 45,000 adults and 55,000 children and youth received services (including home visitation, parenting advice and coaching, parent support groups, youth programming, and early childhood development programs).
- $7.3 million over three years to support the expansion of youth mental health hubs;
- $1.25 million annually for the new 12-week Youth Recovery Program at Hull Services; and
- Jack.org’s Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub.
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